Fundamental dynamic performance of fluid-pivot and squeeze-film damper bearings

Abstract

Due to the increase in rotational speeds and performance of modern turbomachinery the rotordynamic stability of such machinery has reduced. In order to improve rotordynamic stability, fluid-pivot and squeeze-film damper bearings have been developed. By using a simple analytical model to predict the unbalance response of a single mass rotor and by modelling the above bearings as a two-mass-spring and damper system the fundamental performance of these types of bearings has been determined. The results are that these bearings can significantly improve rotordynamic performance over a certain frequency range. This is mainly due to the ability of these bearings to reduce the effective bearing stiffness and hence improve the damping efficiency of the bearings. These auxiliary damped bearings increase the bearing damping efficiency rather than increase the bearing damping.