The supersonic phenomenon near air supply inlets of externally pressurized spherical air bearings generates an undesirable pressure depression and then reduces their load-carrying capacity. In this study

a CFD-based analysis was performed to solve numerically the three-dimensional turbulence N-S equations for compressible air flow. The molecular viscosity of the working fluid is regarded as a function of temperature and the convective terms are retained in the N-S equations. The characteristics of the Mach number distribution and pressure distribution of the spherical air bearings were discussed using the realizable k-ε turbulent model in the numerical simulation of a new type of externally pressurized spherical air bearing. The results indicate that predictions agree well with the real flow of the bearings

and the Mach number distribution

the pressure distribution and shock wave position are related to air supply pressure and bearing clearance.