The Nonlinear Dynamic Characteristics of an Industrial Turbine Engine with Eccentric Squeeze Film Dampers

Abstract

Squeeze film dampers are often used to suppress vibration in turbine engines and play an important role in rotor systems. In this paper, the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of an industrial turbine engine fitted with squeeze film dampers are investigated with the static eccentricity of the SFDs. A recently developed time domain technique that combines the finite element method and the fixed interface modal synthesis method is applied to predict the nonlinear unbalance response of the industrial turbine engine under different unbalanced and static eccentricity configurations. By comparing the results obtained using SFDs with and without static eccentricity, it can be concluded that increasing the static eccentricity of the SFDs promotes non-periodic motion, while an increase in the unbalance level promotes the jump phenomenon. The efficiency of the rotor system would improve with an appropriate amount of unbalance applied to compressor IV, resulting in a reduction in the vibration level. If static sprung eccentricity occurs, the center of the journal orbit would be offset from the SFD center, rendering it inefficient or even leading to rub impact. Therefore, it is crucial to control the static eccentricity of the SFDs for optimal performance. The time domain technique is verified by the experimental results reported in the literature.