Effects of Gas Entrainment on Squeeze Film Damper Performance

1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. S. Feng ◽  
E. J. Hahn

Squeeze film dampers are frequently used for stabilization and/or vibration control of rotating machinery. Theoretical analyses to date generally assume an incompressible lubricant. In practice, however, depending on the capacity of the lubricant reservoir, the lubricant at damper inlet contains varying amounts of dissolved gas, which come out of solution to form a “spongy” gas-liquid mixture during damper operation. This paper examines theoretically and experimentally the effects such entrained gases have on damper performance, particularly on damper load capacity and the likelihood of multistable operation. It is shown that under certain operating conditions, a significant delay in the onset of bistable operation is predicted, depending on the fluid film model employed. Preliminary tests indicate that at low bearing parameter values (B ≐ 0.02), the homogeneous compressible film model using the Hayward rather than the Isbin viscosity relationship for gas-liquid mixtures provides the best prediction of damper performance. Of the incompressible film models, the zero pressure truncation predictions are generally quite satisfactory and superior to the commonly used π-film predictions.

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 440-446
Author(s):  
Amina Nemchi ◽  
Ahmed Bouzidane ◽  
Aboubakeur Benariba ◽  
Hicham Aboshighiba

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of different flow regimes on the dynamic characteristics of four-pad hydrostatic squeeze film dampers (SFDs) loaded between pads. Design/methodology/approach A numerical model based on Constantinescu’s turbulent lubrication theory using the finite difference method has been developed and presented to study the effect of eccentricity ratio on the performance characteristics of four-pad hydrostatic SFDs under different flow regimes. Findings It was found that the influence of turbulent flow on the dimensionless damping of four-pad hydrostatic SFDs appears to be essentially controlled by the eccentricity ratio. It was also found that the laminar flow presents higher values of load capacity compared to bearings operating under turbulent flow conditions. Originality/value In fact, the results obtained show that the journal bearing performances are significantly influenced by the turbulent flow regime. The study is expected to be useful to bearing designers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxime Perreault ◽  
Sina Hamzehlouia ◽  
Kamran Behdinan

In high-speed turbomachinery, the presence of rotor vibrations, which produce undesirable noise or shaft deflection and losses in performance, has brought up the need for the application of a proper mechanism to attenuate the vibration amplitudes. Squeeze-film dampers (SFDs) are a widely employed solution to the steady-state vibrations in high-speed turbomachinery. SFDs contain a thin film of lubricant that is susceptible to changes in temperature. For this reason, the analysis of thermohydrodynamic (THD) effects on the SFD damping properties is essential. This paper develops a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to analyze the THD effects in SFDs, and enabling the application of CFD analysis to be a base-line for validating the accuracy of analytical THD SFD models. Specifically, the CFD results are compared against numerical simulations at different operating conditions, including eccentricity ratios and journal whirl speeds. The comparisons demonstrate the effective application of CFD for THD analysis of SFDs. Additionally, the effect of the lubricant THDs on the viscosity, maximum and mass-averaged temperature, as well as heat generation rates inside the SFD lubricant are analyzed. The temperature of the lubricant is seen to rise with increasing whirl speed, eccentricity ratios, damper radial clearance, and shaft radii.


Author(s):  
Luis San Andrés

Aircraft engine rotors are particularly sensitive to rotor imbalance and sudden maneuver loads, since they are always supported on rolling element bearings with little damping. Most engines incorporate squeeze film dampers (SFDs) as means to dissipate mechanical energy from rotor vibrations and to ensure system stability. The paper quantifies experimentally the forced performance of a SFD comprising two parallel film lands separated by a deep central groove. Tests are conducted on two open ends SFDs, both with diameter D = 127 mm and nominal radial clearance c = 0.127 mm. One damper has film lands with length L = 12.7 mm (short length), while the other has 25.4 mm land lengths. The central groove has width L and depth 3/4 L. A light viscosity lubricant flows into the central groove via three orifices, 120 deg apart and then through the film lands to finally exit to ambient. In operation, a static loader pulls the bearing to various eccentric positions and electromagnetic shakers excite the test system with periodic loads to generate whirl orbits of specific amplitudes. A frequency domain method identifies the SFD damping and inertia force coefficients. The long damper generates six times more damping and about three times more added mass than the short length damper. The damping coefficients are sensitive to the static eccentricity (up to ∼ 0.5 c), while showing lesser dependency on the amplitude of whirl motion (up to 0.2 c). On the other hand, inertia coefficients increase mildly with static eccentricity and decrease as the amplitude of whirl motion increases. Cross-coupled force coefficients are insignificant for all imposed operating conditions on either damper. Large dynamic pressures recorded in the central groove demonstrate the groove does not isolate the adjacent squeeze film lands, but contributes to the amplification of the film lands’ reaction forces. Predictions from a novel SFD model that includes flow interactions in the central groove and feed orifices agree well with the test force coefficients for both dampers. The test data and predictions advance current knowledge and demonstrate that SFD-forced performance is tied to the lubricant feed arrangement.


1999 ◽  
Vol 121 (4) ◽  
pp. 703-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Diaz ◽  
L. A. San Andre´s

Squeeze film dampers (SFDs) are effective means to reduce vibrations and to suppress instabilities in rotor-bearing systems. However, at operating conditions while traversing critical speeds with large orbital whirl motions, ingestion and entrapment of air into the thin lands of SFDs generates a bubbly mixture (air in lubricant) that is known to reduce the dynamic film pressures and the overall damping capability. This pervasive phenomenon lacks proper physical understanding and sound analytical modeling. An experimental investigation to quantify the forced performance of a SFD operating with a controlled bubbly mixture is detailed. Tests are conducted in a constrained circular orbit SFD to measure the dynamic squeeze film pressures and journal motion at two whirl frequencies (8.33 and 16.67 Hz) as the air content in the mixture increases from 0 percent to 100 percent. The analysis of period-averaged film pressures reveals a zone of uniform low pressure of magnitude equal to the discharge pressure, independently of the mixture composition. The uniform pressure zone extends as the mixture void fraction increases. Radial and tangential film forces are estimated from the dynamic pressures at two axial locations of measurement. The tangential (damping) force decreases proportionally with the mixture volume fraction, while a radial hydrostatic force remains nearly invariant. The experimental results quantify effects previously known by qualitative description only, thus providing a benchmark towards the development of sound theoretical models.


2018 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
pp. 04001
Author(s):  
Jaroslav Zapoměl ◽  
Petr Ferfecki ◽  
Jan Kozánek

The theoretical analyses and practical experience show that only the damping effect adaptable to the current operating conditions makes it possible to achieve optimum performance of damping devices inserted in the supports of rotating machines. This is offered by magnetorheological squeeze film dampers. The magnetorheological oils are liquids sensitive to magnetic induction. Their response to the change of a magnetic field is not instantaneous, but it is a process called the delayed yielding. The research was focused on enhancement of the mathematical model of the magnetorheological squeeze film damper by considering the delayed yielding phenomenon and on its application for the study of the influence of the delayed yielding on the force transmission between the rotor and its stationary part. The results of the computational simulations show that rising value of the delayed yielding time constant that characterizes the delayed yielding process reduces the damping effect and efficiency of the magnetorheological damping devices.


Author(s):  
Sergio E. Diaz ◽  
Luis A. San Andrés

Squeeze film dampers (SFDs) are effective means to reduce vibrations and to suppress instabilities in rotor-bearing systems. However, at operating conditions while traversing critical speeds with large orbital whirl motions, ingestion and entrapment of air into the thin lands of SFDs generates a bubbly mixture (air in lubricant) which is known to reduce the dynamic film pressures and the overall damping capability. This pervasive phenomenon lacks proper physical understanding and sound analytical modeling. An experimental investigation to quantify the forced performance of a SFD operating with a controlled bubbly mixture is detailed. Tests are conducted in a constrained circular orbit SFD to measure the dynamic squeeze film pressures and journal motion at two whirl frequencies (8.33 and 16.67 Hz) as the air content in the mixture increases from 0% to 100%. The analysis of period-averaged film pressures reveals a zone of uniform low pressure of magnitude equal to the discharge pressure, independently of the mixture composition. The uniform pressure zone extends as the mixture void fraction increases. Radial and tangential film forces are estimated from the dynamic pressures at two axial locations of measurement. The tangential (damping) force decreases proportionally with the mixture volume fraction, while a radial hydrostatic force remains nearly invariant. The experimental results quantify effects previously known by qualitative description only, thus providing a benchmark towards the development of sound theoretical models.


1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Wang ◽  
D. Herbison

Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive squeeze film model of planar circular plates, implemented in the MAST™ modeling language for use with the Saber™ simulator. Hydrodynamic pressure between two plates is a function of the displacement, velocity and dimensional parameters of the circular plates. The pressure generated in film has a distributed nature and it depends on, beside other factors, the pressure boundary condition. The total force acting on the plate surfaces is the integration of the pressure distribution. The viscosity of lubricants is modeled as the function of both pressure and temperature. Cavitation region occurred inside the squeeze film is considered by the model internally. Cavitation occurring at the boundary is modeled by connecting the hydraulic pin to the ideal cavitation template of the Saber template library. Saber outputs are discussed for some important influential effects under different operating conditions. The paper also includes discussion of the ideal cavitation and the hydraulic chamber templates which are embedded to support the squeeze film simulation.


Author(s):  
Adolfo Delgado ◽  
Bugra Ertas

Ever-increasing demand for cleaner energy is driving the need for higher power density turbomachinery while reducing cost and simplifying design. Gas-lubricated bearings are representing one of the enabling technologies that can help maximize these benefits and have been successfully implemented into turbomachinery applications with rotors weights in the order few kg's. However, load capacity and damping limitations of existing gas bearing technologies prevent the development of larger size oil-free drive trains in the MW power output range. Compliantly damped hybrid gas bearings (CHGBs) were introduced as an alternative design to overcome these limitations by providing external pressurization to discrete tilting pads while retaining flexibility in the bearing support to help tolerate misalignment and rotor-pad geometry changes. Additionally, the CHGB concept addresses damping entitlement through the application of bearing support dampers such as metal mesh. An alternative CHGB design, featuring a novel hermetically seal squeeze film damper (HSFD) in the bearing support, was introduced as alternative approach to metal mesh dampers (MMDs) to further improve bearing damping. This paper details the rotordynamic characterization of a CHGB with modular HSFD for various operating conditions. Direct and cross-coupled stiffness and damping coefficients are presented for different rotor speeds up to 12,500 rpm, frequencies of excitation between 20 and 200 Hz, bearing loads between 200 and 400 lbf, and external hydrostatic pressures reaching 180 psi. Direct comparisons to experimental results for a CHGB using MMD show 3× increase in direct damping levels when using HSFD in the compliant bearing support. In addition to the experimental results, an analytical model is presented based on the implementation of the isothermal compressible Reynolds equation coupled to a flexible support possessing a pad with three degrees-of-freedom. The numerical results capture the direct stiffness and frequency dependency but underpredict the absolute values for both cases when compared to experimental data.


2001 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 346-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis San Andre´s ◽  
Sergio E. Diaz

Squeeze film dampers (SFDs) reduce rotor vibrations and control dynamic instabilities in turbomachinery. Depending on damper geometry and operating conditions, the kinematics of journal motion can induce air ingestion and entrapment, produce lubricant vapor cavitation, or both. Air ingestion is the most common condition found in open ended dampers due to the low levels of external pressurization used in practice. The degrading effect of air entrapment on damper performance not only defies predictive models but also constrains the design of SFDs to a costly trial and error process based on prior experience. The present measurements correlate for the first time dynamic squeeze film pressures and pictures of the flow field with the air volume content in the lubricant mixture of a damper performing circular centered motion. The photographs of the flow field at key instances of journal motion show the development of a non-homogeneous flow with large striated cavities of air that persist even in the regions of positive (above ambient) dynamic pressures.


Author(s):  
Adolfo Delgado ◽  
Bugra Ertas

Ever-increasing demand for cleaner energy is driving the need for higher power density turbomachinery while reducing cost and simplifying design. Gas lubricated bearings, representing one of the enabling technologies that can help maximize these benefits and have been successfully implemented into turbomachinery applications with rotors weights in the order few kg’s. However, load capacity and damping limitations of existing gas bearing technologies prevents the development of larger size oil-free drive trains in the MW power output range. Compliantly damped hybrid gas bearings (CHGB) were introduced as an alternative design to overcome these limitations by providing external pressurization to discrete tilting pads while retaining flexibility in the bearing support to help tolerate misalignment and rotor-pad geometry changes. Additionally, the CHGB concept addresses damping entitlement through the application of bearing support dampers such a metal mesh. An alternative CHGB design, featuring a novel hermetically seal squeeze film damper (HSFD) in the bearing support, was introduced as alternative approach to metal mesh dampers (MMD) to further improve bearing damping. This paper details the rotordynamic characterization of a CHGB with modular HSFD for various operating conditions. Direct and cross-coupled stiffness and damping coefficients are presented for different rotor speeds up to 12,500 rpm, frequencies of excitation between 20–200 Hz, bearing loads between 200–400 1bf, and external hydrostatic pressures reaching 180psi. Direct comparisons to experimental results for a CHGB using (MMD) shows 3X increase in direct damping levels when using HSFD in the compliant bearing support. In addition to the experimental results, an analytical model is presented based on the implementation of the isothermal compressible Reynolds equation coupled to a flexible support possessing a pad with 3 degrees of freedom. The numerical results capture the direct stiffness and frequency dependency but underpredict the absolute values for both case when compared to experimental data.


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