First Order Perturbation Technique for Squeeze Film Dampers Executing Small Amplitude Circular Centered Orbits With Aero-Engine Application

Abstract

This work develops inertial expressions for the lubricant pressure distribution and fluid velocity components for squeeze film dampers (SFDs) executing small amplitude circular centered orbits (CCO), by applying a first order perturbation to the fluid equations. For small amplitude motions of the journal center, it is assumed that the fluid convective inertia terms are negligible relative to the unsteady (temporal) inertia terms. Firstly, a first order perturbation is applied to the pressure and velocity components in the flow equations. Subsequently, the flow equations are solved for the zeroth-order (i.e. non-inertial) velocities and the first-order (i.e. inertial) velocities. The velocity components are incorporated into the flow equations to develop separate expressions for the zeroth-order and the first order pressures. Furthermore, the pressure expressions are numerically solved by applying finite difference approximations to the equations. Finally, a simulation model is developed to determine the lubricant pressure distribution and fluid film reaction forces for different damper operating parameters, including Reynold’s number (i.e. inertia effect), journal eccentricity ratio, and bearing slenderness ratio.