Impact of non-synchronous whirl on post-resonance backward whirl in vertical cracked rotors

Abstract

Certain heavy-duty industrial machinery uses vertical rotating shafts. Such rotating systems typically undergo transient operation phases to reach their nominal speeds; recurrent passage through resonance generally occurs during startup and coast down operations. The Non-synchronous whirl between the shaft rotational speed and its whirling in the whirl orbit in the vicinity of the resonance zones, significantly affecting the breathing mechanism of a propagating transverse crack. Therefore, the appearance of Non-synchronous whirl during the passage through resonance rotational speed activates the crack breathing mechanism. To verify this observation, Jeffcott rotor and finite element models with induced breathing cracks are considered here for geometrically symmetrical and asymmetrical vertical rotor configurations. The mathematical models associated with these systems yield linear time-varying equations of motion incorporating the angular acceleration rate. The appearance of a Non-synchronous is found activating the crack breathing mechanism, which immediately excites the post-resonance backward whirl even with small crack depths in the rotor system. Accordingly, the excitation of post-resonance backward whirl can be considered as a strong indicator of an early crack propagation phase in vertical rotors.