Dynamics Investigation on Axial-Groove Gas Bearing-Rotor System with Rod-Fastened Structure

This research report discusses the dynamic behaviors of an axial-groove gas bearings-rotor system with rod-fastened structure. The time-based dependency-compressible Reynolds equation in the gas bearing nonlinear system is solved by the differential transformation method, and the continuous gas film forces of a three-axial-groove gas bearing are obtained. A dynamic mathematical model of the rotor system with rod-fastened structure supported in two- and three-axial-groove gas bearings with eight degrees of freedom is established. The dynamic motion equation of the rod-fastened rotor system is solved by the modified Newmark-β method based on disturbance compensation, which can reduce the computing error and improve computing stability. The dynamic characteristics of the rod-fastened rotor-gas bearing system are analyzed efficiently by the diversiform unbalance responses. The influence of the position angle of the pad on the nonlinear characteristics of the rod-fastened rotor system is also studied.

Influence of Ambient Pressure on Measured Stiffness and Damping of Radial Gas Foil Bearings

As gas bearings have gained popularity, they have been used in a diverse range of applications. In many cases these bearings are used in various process gases at a range of pressures. Although numerous analytical tools exist to predict the behavior of gas bearings in these environments, these tools are challenging to validate. The current work describes a test loop that is capable of measuring rotordynamic force coefficients in a hermetically sealed environment. To the author’s knowledge, this capability is the first of its kind. To illustrate operation of the test rig, an industrial 3-lobe gas-foil bearing was installed in the test fixture, and operated at pressures from .5–3.5 bara at speeds ranging from 25–65 krpm. The tests show that dynamic coefficients increase with speed and pressure; however, a slight reduction in coefficients were observed at the highest speed under ambient conditions. In addition, sub ambient pressure tests showed higher than ambient stiffness, but comparably low damping in comparison to the other test cases. It is believed that this is the first publication of gas foil bearing coefficients at sub-ambient pressure.

Spindle assembly with adjustable output characteristics

A method for controlling the output characteristics of spindle assemblies based on the use of tapered gas bearings with a small taper angle is proposed. An experimental bench for studying the performance characteristics of these bearings is described. The results of researches of gas-static bearings with a small taper angle are presented. Keywords: spindle assembly, gas-static support, small taper angle, experiment. [email protected]

Numerical and Experimental Investigation on Axial Rub Impact Dynamic Characteristics of Flexible Rotor Supported by Hybrid Gas Bearings

Gas bearings are widely used in micro- and small turbomachinery. Because of the pursuit of high efficiency, turbomachinery adopts small clearance of rotor and stator. The gas bearing rotor system easily suffers from rub impact due to the inherently low damping and load capacity of gas film. Axial rub impact may lead to catastrophic failure of gas bearing rotor system. Previous work put emphasis on radial rub, and only a few papers researched on the axial rub impact by simulation method. In this paper, dynamic responses of full annular axial rub are investigated numerically and experimentally. A single span flexible rotor test rig is established to support this research. Dynamic characteristics of full annular axial rub of this gas bearing rotor system are obtained with finite element language-APDL. Dynamic characteristics within full speed range are experimentally researched based on the test rig. The dynamic behaviors are analyzed by means of waterfall diagrams, frequency spectrums, orbit trails, and vibration amplitude waveforms. During speed up, half speed whirl and gas film oscillation occur in radial direction. During speed down, the full annular axial rub between rotor thrust disk and gas bearing occurs. When lightly axial rub impact happens, the vibration patterns in the radial direction change barely, and 0 Hz component appears in the axial direction. When serious full annular axial rub impact happens, 0 Hz component occurs in both radial and axial directions and rotor orbit shows transverse motion in radial direction. These forms of dynamic characteristics can be effectively used to diagnose the full annular axial rub impact.