Dynamic Characteristics of a High-Speed Rotor With Radial and Axial Foil-Bearing Supports

1981 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Licht ◽  
W. J. Anderson ◽  
S. W. Doroff
Keyword(s):  
Support System ◽  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Journal Bearing ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Flexible Support ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Experimental Apparatus ◽  
Asymmetric Rotor

An asymmetric rotor (19N; 4.3 lb), supported radially and axially by compliant bearings (foil bearings), is subjected to severe excitation by rotating unbalance (43 μm.N; 6100 μin.oz) in the “pitching” mode, at speeds to 50,000 rpm. The resilient, air-lubricated bearings provide very effective damping, so that regions of resonance and instability can be traversed with impunity, with amplitudes and limit-trajectories remaining within acceptable bounds. A novel journal bearing is introduced, in which a resilient support is furnished by the outer turn of the coiled foil-element, initially bent to form an open polygon. The experimental apparatus and procedure are described, and the response of the rotor and flexible support system are copiously documented by oscilloscope records of motion.

The Dynamic Characteristics of a Turborotor Simulator Supported on Gas-Lubricated Foil Bearings—Part 3: Rotation in Foil Bearings of Reduced Length, With Starting and Stopping Unaided by External Pressurization

1972 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Licht
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Experimental Methods ◽  
Wear Characteristics ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearing

Experiments and analysis, reported in detail in references [1] through [5], demonstrated that high-speed rotors, supported by foil bearings, were free from whirl-instability and sensitivity to excitation at frequency equal one half the speed of rotation. It was shown also that the foil bearing could accommodate thermal and geometrical distortions, combining this attribute with excellent wipe-wear characteristics and tolerance of particles. The present investigation was directed toward the solution of two important problems: (a) the reduction of foil bearing length without detriment to rotor performance, and (b) the elimination of the foil-lift system and attainment of multiple start-stops without the aid of external pressurization. A description of experimental methods, which lead to the realization of the foregoing objectives, is given.

scholarly journals The Dynamic Characteristics of a Turborotor Simulator Supported on Gas-Lubricated Foil Bearings—Part 2: Operation With Heating and Thermal Gradients

1970 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 650-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Licht
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Temperature Gradients ◽  
Thermal Gradients ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Geometrical Imperfections ◽  
The Stability

A high-speed rotor, supported by gas-lubricated foil bearings, is free from self-excited whirl and displays no loss of load capacity when vibrated at frequency equal half the rotational speed [1]. It is demonstrated here that in addition to tolerance of geometrical imperfections, misalignment, and foreign particles [3, 4], the foil bearing performs well at elevated temperatures and accommodates appreciable temperature gradients. The foil bearing is endowed with superior wipe-wear characteristics, and the flexibility of the foil accounts not only for the stability of the foil bearing but also for its forgiveness with respect to distortion, contamination, and contact.

On the Coupling of Foil Bearing Supported Rotors: Part 1 — Analysis

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hooshang Heshmat ◽  
James F. Walton ◽  
Crystal A. Heshmat
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Ball Bearing ◽  
Dynamic Performance ◽  
Rotor Systems ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Flexible Rotors ◽  
Coupling Dynamic ◽  
Bearing System

The expanded application of high-speed rotor systems operating on compliant foil bearings will be greatly enhanced with the ability to adequately couple multiple shaft systems with differing bearing systems and dynamic performance. In this paper the results of an analytical tradeoff study assessing coupling dynamic characteristics and their impact on coupled rotor-bearing system dynamics are presented. This analysis effort was completed in an effort to establish the form of characteristics needed to couple foil bearing supported rotors to ball bearing supported rotors, other foil bearing supported rotors as well as coupling rigid and flexible rotors both supported on foil bearings. The conclusions from this study indicate that with appropriate coupling design, a wide array of foil bearing supported rotor systems may be successfully coupled.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the High-Speed Instability of Aerodynamic Foil Journal Bearings for Micro Turbomachinery

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kei Somaya ◽  
Toru Yamashita ◽  
Shigeka Yoshimoto
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
High Speed ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Journal Bearing ◽  
Journal Bearings ◽  
Orbit Method ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
High Speeds ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Excellent Stability

Foil bearings have been attracting considerable attention for their applications to micro turbomachinery, such as blowers and compressors, because of their excellent stability at high speeds and durability in high-temperature environments. This paper investigates experimentally and numerically the high-speed instability of a rotor supported by small aerodynamic foil journal bearings. Two types of foil journal bearings were prepared: a first-generation bump-type foil bearing and a dimple-type foil bearing; these consist of a top foil and a support foil with bumps or dimples, respectively. The dynamic characteristics of a support foil using the frequency response and the threshold speed of instability at high speeds were measured experimentally. Furthermore, the numerical threshold speed of instability was obtained using the nonlinear orbit method. It was confirmed experimentally and numerically that a 6 mm diameter rotor with a mass of 4.7 g supported by either of the two types of foil journal bearing treated in this paper could rotate stably at speeds of more than 760,000 rpm.

Identification of Dynamic Characteristics of Hybrid Bump-Metal Mesh Foil Bearings

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zilong Zhao ◽  
Kai Feng ◽  
Xueyuan Zhao ◽  
Wanhui Liu
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Dynamic Stiffness ◽  
Load Test ◽  
Dynamic Force ◽  
Static Load Test ◽  
Metal Mesh ◽  
Force Coefficients ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearing

The stability of oil-free high-speed turbo-machinery can be effectively improved by increasing the damping characteristic of the gas foil bearing (GFB). Novel hybrid bump-metal mesh foil bearings (HB-MFBs) have been previously developed. Prior experimental results show that the parallel combination of bump structure and metal mesh not only can improve the structure stiffness but also provide better damping property compared with the bump-type foil structure. To investigate the dynamic behavior of floating HB-MFBs and promote its application, this study measured the dynamic force coefficients of HB-MFBs on a rotating test rig. The vibrations of HB-MFBs with different mesh densities (40%, 32.5%, and 25%) and a generation І bump-type foil bearing (BFB) with similar size are measured under static and impact loads to estimate the bearing characteristics. Static load test results show that the linear stiffness decreases when the air film is generated (from 0 rpm to 20 krpm) but increases gradually with speed (from 20 krpm to 30 krpm, and 40 krpm). Moreover, the dynamic force coefficients of HB-MFBs indicate the significant influence of metal mesh density on bearing dynamic characteristics. The growth in block density increases the dynamic stiffness and damping coefficients of bearing. The comparison of HB-MFB (32.5% and 40%) and BFB emphasizes the good damping characteristics of HB-MFB.

scholarly journals The Dynamic Characteristics of a Turborotor Simulator Supported on Gas-Lubricated Foil Bearings—Part 1: Response to Rotating Imbalance and Unidirectional Excitation

1970 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 630-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Licht
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Shake Table ◽  
Brayton Cycle ◽  
Physical Size ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Experimental Apparatus ◽  
Bearing Design

A 16-in-long rotor, weighing approximately 21 lb, was supported by air-lubricated foil bearings. In physical size and in mass distribution, the rotor was closely matched with that of an experimental Brayton cycle turboalternator unit. The rotor was stable in both the vertical and horizontal attitudes at speeds up to 50,000 rpm. A detailed description of the experimental apparatus and of the foil bearing design are given. The paper contains data of response of the rotor to rotating imbalance, symmetric and asymmetric, and to excitation by means of a vibrator (shake table). It is concluded that the gas-lubricated foil-bearing suspension is free from fractional-frequency whirl and suffers no loss of load capacity when excited at frequency equal half the rotational speed. On contrast with rigid gas bearings, the foil bearing imposes no stringent requirements with respect to dimensional tolerances, cleanliness, or limitations of journal motion within the narrow confines of bearing clearance.

Rotordynamics Performance of Hybrid Foil Bearing Under Forced Vibration Input

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daejong Kim ◽  
Brian Nicholson ◽  
Lewis Rosado ◽  
Garry Givan
Keyword(s):  
Impulse Response ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Supply System ◽  
Forced Response ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Lateral Acceleration ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Gas Supply

Foil bearings are one type of hydrodynamic air/gas bearings but with a compliant bearing surface supported by structural material that provides stiffness and damping to the bearing. The hybrid foil bearing (HFB) in this paper is a combination of a traditional hydrodynamic foil bearing with externally-pressurized air/gas supply system to enhance load capacity during the start and to improve thermal stability of the bearing. The HFB is more suitable for relatively large and heavy rotors where rotor weight is comparable to the load capacity of the bearing at full speed and extra air/gas supply system is not a major added cost. With 4,448N∼22,240N thrust class turbine aircraft engines in mind, the test rotor is supported by HFB in one end and duplex rolling element bearings in the other end. This paper presents experimental work on HFB with diameter of 102mm performed at the US Air force Research Laboratory. Experimental works include: measurement of impulse response of the bearing to the external load corresponding to rotor’s lateral acceleration of 5.55g, forced response to external subsynchronous excitation, and high speed imbalance response. A non-linear rotordynamic simulation model was also applied to predict the impulse response and forced subsynchronous response. The simulation results agree well with experimental results. Based on the experimental results and subsequent simulations, an improved HFB design is also suggested for higher impulse load capability up to 10g and rotordynamics stability up to 30,000rpm under subsynchronous excitation.

Rotordynamic Performance of a Shaft With Large Overhung Mass Supported by Foil Bearings

2016 ◽  
Vol 139 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen LaTray ◽  
Daejong Kim
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Speed Test ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Stable Conditions ◽  
Bending Mode ◽  
Mode Vibration ◽  
Lift Off ◽  
Compact Design ◽  
Bearing System

This work presents the theoretical and experimental rotordynamic evaluations of a rotor–air foil bearing (AFB) system supporting a large overhung mass for high-speed application. The proposed system highlights the compact design of a single shaft rotor configuration with turbomachine components arranged on one side of the bearing span. In this work, low-speed tests up to 45 krpm are performed to measure lift-off speed and to check bearing manufacturing quality. Rotordynamic performance at high speeds is evaluated both analytically and experimentally. In the analytical approach, simulated imbalance responses are studied using both rigid and flexible shaft models with bearing forces calculated from the transient Reynolds equation along with the rotor motion. The simulation predicts that the system experiences small synchronous rigid mode vibration at 20 krpm and bending mode at 200 krpm. A high-speed test rig is designed to experimentally evaluate the rotor–air foil bearing system. The high-speed tests are operated up to 160 krpm. The vibration spectrum indicates that the rotor–air foil bearing system operates under stable conditions. The experimental waterfall plots also show very small subsynchronous vibrations with frequency locked to the system natural frequency. Overall, this work demonstrates potential capability of the air foil bearings in supporting a shaft with a large overhung mass at high speed.

Influence of geometric parameters on the bump foil bearing performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 234 (7) ◽  
pp. 1017-1026
Author(s):  
Sadanand Kulkarni ◽  
Soumendu Jana
Keyword(s):  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
High Speed ◽  
System Development ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Radial Clearance ◽  
Load Carrying Capacity ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Load Carrying ◽  
Lift Off

High-speed rotating system development has drawn considerable attention of the researchers, in the recent past. Foil bearings are one of the major contenders for such applications, particularly for high speed and low load rotating systems. In foil bearings, process fluid or air is used as the working medium and no additional lubricant is required. It is known from the published literature that the load capacity of foil bearings depend on the operating speed, viscosity of the medium, clearance, and stiffness of the foil apart from the geometric dimensions of the bearing. In case of foil bearing with given dimensions, clearance governs the magnitude of pressure developed, whereas stiffness dictates the change in radial clearance under the generated pressure. This article deals with the effect of stiffness, clearance, and its interaction on the bump foil bearings load-carrying capacity. For this study, four sets of foil bearings of the same geometry with two levels of stiffness and clearance values are fabricated. Experiments are carried out following two factor-two level factorial design approach under constant load and in each case, the lift-off speed is measured. The experimental output is analyzed using statistical techniques to evaluate the influence of parameters under consideration. The results indicate that clearance has the maximum influence on the lift-off speed/ load-carrying capacity, followed by interaction effect and stiffness. A regression model is developed based on the experimental values and model is validated using error analysis technique.

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