Squeeze Film Damper Characteristics for Gas Turbine Engines

1978 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Marmol ◽  
J. M. Vance

A mathematical model for squeeze film dampers is developed, and the solution results are compared with data from four different test rigs. A special feature of the analysis is the treatment of several different types of end seals and inlets, with inlet feedback included. A finite difference method is used to solve the Reynolds equation, with a banded matrix inversion routine. The test data are taken from a new high-speed free-rotor rig, and from three previously tested controlled-orbit rigs.

Author(s):  
Cyril Defaye ◽  
Daniel Nelias ◽  
Florence Bon

For high-precision mechanical systems such as gas-turbine engines, which operate under extreme conditions, it is particularly important to accurately predict the behavior of the mainshaft rolling bearings. This prediction includes, among others, the load distribution, stiffness and power dissipation. Although shaft speeds tend to increase, rings and shaft walls are becoming thinner due to size and weight constraints. Thus, bearing behavior is no longer independent of the housing and ring stiffness. Furthermore, since forty years, the use of squeeze film damper is largely widespread in gas-turbine engines to significantly reduce the vibratory levels. Due to the flexibility of the ring providing the interface between the roller bearing and the fluid film, it appears an elastic coupling which modifies the behavior of the bearing-squeeze film damper system. This paper presents first a squeeze film damper model with a flexible inner ring (i.e. outer ring of the roller bearing). An analytical stop model is introduced to reproduce the interference between the inner ring of the squeeze film damper and its housing. In a second part, an elastic coupling between the presented squeeze film damper model and an existing roller bearing model is proposed. Finally, the results presented show that this coupling has a first order influence on the behavior of the bearing-squeeze film damper system. It is also shown that the coupling between a roller bearing and a squeeze film damper when linked by a flexible ring introduces a dissymmetry of the load distribution with respect to the applied load direction. Moreover, in certain cases, the position of the bearing in its housing can reach eccentricities larger than the radial clearance of the squeeze film damper.


Author(s):  
L. Moraru ◽  
T. G. Keith ◽  
F. Dimofte ◽  
S. Cioc ◽  
N. Ene ◽  
...  

Squeeze film dampers (SFD) are devices utilized to control the shafts of high-speed rotating machinery. A dual squeeze film damper (DSFD) consists of two squeeze film bearings that are separated by a sleeve, which is released when the rotor experiences abnormal operating conditions. In this part of our study of DSFD we analyze the case when both the inner and the outer oil films are active. We present computed and measured unbalance responses of a shaft supported in DSFD. The oil forces which are utilized in the calculation of the unbalance response are obtained from numerical solutions of the Reynolds equation. A finite-difference algorithm is utilized for solving the pressure equation within the calculation of the dynamic response of the shaft.


1993 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 360-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Tecza ◽  
J. Walton

In this paper a novel, high-load chambered porous damper design, supporting analysis, and experimental results are presented. It was demonstrated that significant damping can be generated from the viscous discharge losses of capillary tubes arranged in chambered segments with large radial clearances and that the resulting damping is predictable and fairly constant with speed and eccentricity ratio. This design avoids the nonlinearities associated with high-eccentricity operation of conventional squeeze film dampers. Controlled orbit tests with a porous chambered configuration were completed and favorably compared with theoretical predictions. The ability to accommodate high steady-state and transient imbalance conditions makes this damper well suited to a wide range of rotating machinery, including aircraft gas turbine engines.


1993 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. El-Shafei

A new concept for actively controlling high-speed rotating machinery is investigated both analyically and experimentally. The controlling mechanism consists of a hybrid squeeze film damper (patent pending) that can be adaptively controlled to change its characteristics according to the instructions of a controller. In an extreme case the hybrid damper can act as a long damper, which is shown to be effective in reducing the amplitude of vibration of rotating machinery. In the other extreme the hybrid damper acts as a short damper, which is shown to be effective in reducing the force transmitted to the support. In the long damper configuration the oil flow is circumferential, while in the short damper configuration the oil flow is predominantly axial. The hybrid damper is designed to operate in either the short or the long damper configuration by controlling the positions of two movable sealing rings. The hybrid damper was tested on a Bently Nevada Rotor Kit and it is shown experimentally that the long damper configuration is extremely efficient at controlling the amplitude of vibration and the short damper configuration reduces the force transmitted to the support.


1977 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Gunter ◽  
L. E. Barrett ◽  
P. E. Allaire

This paper examines the effect of squeeze-film damper bearings on the steady state and transient unbalance response of aircraft engine rotors. The nonlinear effects of the damper are examined, and the variance of the motion due to unbalance, static pressurization, retainer springs, and rotor preload is shown. The nonlinear analysis is performed using a time-transient method incorporating a solution of the Reynolds equation at each instant in time. The analysis shows that excessive stiffness in the damper results in large journal amplitudes and transmission of bearing forces to the engine casing which greatly exceed the unbalance forces. Reduction of the total effective bearing stiffness through static pressurization and rotor preload is considered. The reduction in stiffness allows the damping generated by the bearing to be more effective in attenuating rotor forces. It is observed that in an unpressurized damper, the dynamic transmissibility will exceed unity when the unbalance eccentricity exceeds approximately 50 percent of the damper clearance for the relatively wide range of conditions examined in this study.


Author(s):  
J. F. Walton ◽  
H. Heshmat

In this paper results of rotordynamic response and transient tests of a novel, high load squeeze film damper design, are presented. The spiral foil multi-squeeze film damper has been previously shown to provide two to four fold or larger increases in damping levels without resorting to significantly decreased damper clearances or increased lengths. By operating with a total clearance of approximately twice conventional designs, the non-linearities associated with high eccentricity operation are avoided. Rotordynamic tests with a dual squeeze film configuration were completed. As a part of the overall testing program, a flexible rotor system was subjected to high steady state imbalance levels and transient simulated bladeloss events for up to 0.254 mm (0.01 in) mass c.g offset or 180 gm-cm (2.5 oz-in) imbalance. The spiral foil multi-squeeze film damper demonstrated that the steady state imbalance and simulated bladeloss transient response of a flexible rotor operating above its first bending critical speed could be readily controlled. Rotor system imbalance sensitivity and logarithmic decrement are presented showing the characteristics of the system with the damper installed. The ability to accommodate high steady state and transient imbalance conditions make this damper well suited to a wide range of rotating machinery, including aircraft gas turbine engines.


Author(s):  
Zhu Changsheng

Abstract Based on lots of data from an experiment of a high-speed rotor supported on squeeze film dampers, this paper analyses that how the bistable jump affects the reliability of squeeze film dampers, if the rotor system has to frequently pass through the bistable oparation speed range. It is shown that the change of the rotor vibration amplitudes caused by times of passed through bistable operation speed range is more significant than that caused by steady operating time. The users must pay much attention to the bistable jump phenomenon in the successful application of squeeze film dampers.


Author(s):  
Praneetha Boppa ◽  
Aarthi Sekaran ◽  
Gerald Morrison

Squeeze film dampers (SFDs) are used in the high speed turbo machinery industry and aerospace industry as a means to reduce vibration amplitude, to provide damping, to improve dynamic stability of the rotor bearing system and to isolate structural components. Past studies have not included effects of variation of the stator geometries in a squeeze film damper. A central groove added to the squeeze film land is hypothesized to provide a uniform flow source which theory predicts will result in forces less than one fourth of that seen in SFDs without a central groove. In the present study, 3D numerical simulations of SFDs with different size central grooves on the squeeze film land are performed to predict the variation of the dynamic pressure profiles. The numerical model and method have been validated via comparison to experimental data for a SFD without a central groove. When a central groove is added to the squeeze film land, the pressures generated are reduced to half of that generated when run without a central groove on the land. The amount of reduction in pressure values depends on the volume of the groove, not on the aspect ratio of the groove. Addition of a central groove reduces the pressures, rigidity developed in squeeze film land, and forces generated by squeeze film damper.


Author(s):  
J. Walton ◽  
M. Martin

In this paper, results of experimental rotordynamic evaluations of a novel, high load chambered porous damper design, are presented. The chambered porous damper concept was evaluated for gas turbine engine application since this concept avoids the non-linearities associated with high eccentricity operation of conventional squeeze film dampers. The rotordynamic testing was conducted under large steady state imbalance and simulated transient bladeloss conditions for up to 0.254 mm (0.01 in) mass c.g offset or 180 gm-cm (2.5 oz-in) imbalance. The chambered porous damper demonstrated that the steady state imbalance and simulated bladeloss transient response of a flexible rotor operating above its first bending critical speed could be readily controlled. Rotor system imbalance sensitivity and logarithmic decrement are presented showing the characteristics of the system with the damper installed. The ability to accommodate high steady state and transient imbalance conditions make this damper well suited to a wide range of rotating machinery, including aircraft gas turbine engines.


Author(s):  
Bugra Ertas ◽  
Adolfo Delgado

The following paper presents a new gas bearing concept that targets machine applications in the megawatt (MW) power range. The concept involves combining a compliant hybrid gas bearing (CHGB) with 2 hermetically sealed squeeze film damper (HSFD) modules installed in the bearing support damper cavities. The main aim of the research was to demonstrate gas bearing-support damping levels using HSFD that rival conventional open-flow squeeze film dampers (SFD) in industry. A detailed description of the bearing design and functionality is discussed while anchoring the concept through a brief recap of past gas bearing concepts. Proof-of-concept experimental testing is presented involving parameter identification of the bearing support force coefficients along with a demonstration of speed and load capability using recessed hydrostatic pads. Lastly, a landing test was performed on the bearing at high speed and load with porous carbon pads to show capability of sustaining rubs at high speeds. The component testing revealed robust viscous damping in the bearing support, which was shown to be comparable to existing state of the art SFD concepts. The damping and stiffness of the system portrayed moderate frequency dependency, which was simulated using a 2D Reynolds based incompressible fluid flow model. Lastly, rotating tests demonstrated the ability of the gas bearing concept to sustain journal excursions and loads indicative of critical speed transitions experienced in large turbomachinery.


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