Test rig for investigations of force excited and synchrocoupling loaded rotor

Abstract

The main topics of test rig based rotor investigations are: dynamic relations of a rotor bearing foundation system, shaft cracking, torsional simulation of rotor-generator hunting, flexural-torsional coupling of vibrations, and other areas of rotor dynamics including balancing, maintenance and modal analysis of a rotor. The present paper describes a general purpose rotor test rig capable of handling a great number of these areas. The test rig simulates a heavy, power-loaded rotor mounted on a flexible foundation. Five forms of excitation are provided: oscillating or impact torque, impact force, step force, bearing and foundation excitation. They can be combined if necessary. New research facilities offered by the rig are: external flexural force loading, driving torque loading by synchrocoupling with a full recovery of brake energy, bending release of rotor ends by pivoting, and multi-pulse impact force excitation. The most remarkable is the synchroaxle principle, called SAP for short, which is described in detail. Test rig features have been proved to be successful by research of shaft cracking and rotor-foundation vibrations. This presentation concerns only the general description, calculation and application aspects of the rig.