Abstract: A gas supported bearing includes a first stationary bearing element having a longitudinal axis and a first bearing surface. A second rotating bearing element is coaxially aligned with respect to the first bearing element and includes a second bearing surface. A pneumatic load ramp is formed in one of the bearing surfaces to apply an asymmetric load to either bearing element to eliminate bearing whirl instability.

Abstract: A gas supported bearing includes a first stationary bearing element having a longitudinal axis and a first bearing surface. A second rotating bearing element is coaxially aligned with respect to the first bearing element and includes a second bearing surface. A pneumatic load ramp is formed in one of the bearing surfaces to apply an asymmetric load to either bearing element to eliminate bearing whirl instability.

Abstract: A self-pressurizing gas supported bearing includes a cylindrical bearing sleeve having a longitudinal axis and a cylindrical inner surface forming a first bearing surface with a random surface texture having a first R.sub.a roughness profile. A cylindrical bearing shaft is positioned coaxially within the bearing sleeve and includes a cylindrical outer surface forming a second bearing surface with a random surface texture having a second R.sub.a roughness profile. The sum of the first and second R.sub.a roughness profiles falls within the range of from about eighteen to sixty. A drive system establishes a relative rotational velocity between the bearing sleeve and the bearing shaft, generating a bearing stiffness force which causes the overlapping bearing surfaces to lift off and break contact. The bearing sleeve and shaft are dimensioned to maintain a predetermined means spacing between the sleeve and shaft. The bearing may also take the form of a linear bearing or other cylindrical configurations.