Bearing in closed system with lubricant pressure working with very high efficiency and very regularly, once it has reached the speed. But, when the shaft speed is low, it can keep the lubricant film as well as when movement starts, or when the rotation direction reverses. Breaking this layer of lubricant increases the bearing friction and increased wear. That is, direct contact occurs between the material of the shaft and bearing material, with consequent wear of one or circumstance can be avoided dos.Esta putting high pressure oil between the shaft and the bearing. If the oil pressure is adequate, the journal is lifted and will be continuously high for a film of lubricant, without differentiating the march from sleep. In these circumstances the friction down to a tenth of friction value. Such lubrication is called hydrostatic lubrication, and if applied to the ball bearings oil is called floatation.

Thus the hydrostatic bearing is applied to the rolling mills.

This type of hydrostatic lubrication is also used for bearing axial forces. Although these have a big push, maintains the oil film both spinning like at rest.

This floating up has been performed in large structures. Hale telescope, which weighs 450 tonnes, is a rotatable support a hydrostatic bearing in which the friction coefficient is less than 0.000004. So, you need a single engine twelfth horse to turn the telescope to direct.

These hydrostatic bearings are also used in large antennas in radio telescopes and radars, with great efforts due to the wind and the enormous weight of these structures.

There is a case in the United States of an antenna of 43 meters in diameter.