On the theory of stability of a cylindrical hydrodynamic suspension

The stability of a cylindrical hydrodynamic suspension is investigated with complete account for the dependence of the fluid velocity distribution profile on the radial coordinate in the supporting layer without an a priori representation of the inertial terms in the fluid layer in terms of the velocity averaged over the clearance cross-section. It is shown that the central position of a light inner body in the cylindrical hydrodynamic suspension is asymptotically stable. The suspension remains asymptotically stable for a fairly long time as the light inner body is displaced from the central position along the dynamic equilibrium curve. The central position of a heavy inner body is unstable; however, as it is displaced from the central position under the action of a constant external decentering force a stability domain develops.