These laboratories are the graduate research facility devoted to the study of the thermo fluid and dynamic characteristics of bearings and seals. The types of bearings under study are hydrostatic, hydrodynamic, and foil. The seals presently under study are smooth cylindrical and brush. The two laboratories are equipped with high speed (1 MHz) and medium speed (250 KHz) data acquisition systems with the capacity of up to 60 channels of data acquisition, a battery of 50 high-precision pressure transducers, proximity sensors, and in-house generated data acquisition and signal processing program.

In addition, a flow visualization system using a long distance microscope (x2OO) allows real time study of the flows in gaps as small as 0.001 inch. The flow visualization system is controlled by means of in-house generated software. The full field flow visualization system generates flow patterns with associated velocity and acceleration. A four watt Argon ion continuous wave laser coupled with an accoustal optic modulator allows detailed flow visualization of high speed flows in bearings and seals. The quantitative information can be used for validation of the numerical codes used in the design of bearings and seals. One generic test bed allows testing of shaft velocity in excess of 50,000 rpm. The other facilities are designed for specific use in seals and hydrostatic bearings.