Definition
A type of bearing support used in turbine engines in which a thin film of pressurized oil is held in a small annular gap between the outer race of a rolling-element bearing and its housing. The trapped oil film flexes under load, absorbing vibration and small radial movements of the rotating shaft before they reach the engine structure.
Plain English
A bearing mount that uses a thin layer of oil as a built-in shock absorber. The oil sits in a tight gap around the bearing and squishes slightly when the shaft moves, soaking up vibration so the engine runs smoother.
Context Anchor
Seen in turbine engine maintenance discussions about main shaft support, engine vibration, and bearing inspection.
Derivation
The name describes what happens mechanically: the bearing 'squeezes' a thin 'film' of oil as the shaft vibrates. The oil cannot escape quickly through the narrow gap, so it resists the motion and damps it.
Why Pilots Care
Maintenance technicians need to recognize this design because oil supply and clearance to these bearings is critical. Loss of oil pressure or wear in the squeeze film gap leads to higher engine vibration, accelerated bearing wear, and potential engine damage.
Analogy
It is like a small oil cushion around a moving part. Instead of the movement hitting the structure sharply, the oil layer softens the motion.
Intuition Check
Do not picture the bearing as squeezing metal parts together. The useful squeezing happens in the thin oil layer, which cushions and damps movement.
Example Sentence 1
The turbine's main shaft is supported by squeeze film bearings to reduce vibration transmitted to the engine case.
Example Sentence 2
Proper oil pressure is essential so the squeeze film bearings can continue damping vibrations at high rotor speeds.