Design of Electromagnetic Dampers for Aero-Engine Applications

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Tonoli ◽  
Nicola Amati ◽  
Angelo Bonfitto ◽  
Mario Silvagni ◽  
Bernard Staples ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrorheological Fluid ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Squeeze Film ◽  
Steam Turbines ◽  
Rolling Bearings ◽  
Displacement Sensors ◽  
Squeeze Film Dampers ◽  
Passive Dampers ◽  
Quantitative Performance ◽  
Aero Engines

The vibration control of rotors for gas or steam turbines is usually performed using passive dampers when hydrodynamic bearings are not used. In layouts where the rotating parts are supported by rolling bearings, the damping is usually provided by squeeze film dampers. Their passive nature and the variability of their performances with temperature and frequency represent the main disadvantages. Dampers with magnetorheological and electrorheological fluid allow solving only a part of the abovementioned drawbacks. Active magnetic bearings (AMBs) are promising since they are very effective in controlling the vibration of the rotor and offering the possibility of monitoring the rotor’s behavior using their displacement sensors. However they show serious drawbacks related to their stiffness. Electromagnetic dampers seem to be a valid alternative to visco-elastic, hydraulic dampers due to, among the others, the absence of all fatigue and tribology issues resulting from the absence of contact, the small sensitivity to the working environment, the wide possibility of tuning even during operation, the predictability of the behavior, the smaller mass compared with AMBs, and the failsafe capability. The aim of the present paper is to describe a design methodology adopted to develop electromagnetic dampers to be installed in aero-engines. The procedure has been validated using a reduced scale laboratory test rig. The same approach has then been adopted to design the electromagnetic dampers for real civil aircraft engines. The results in terms of achievable vibration reductions, mass, and overall dimensions are hence presented. A trade-off between the various proposed solutions has been carried out evaluating quantitative performance parameters together with qualitative aspects that this “more electric” technology implies.

A Mechanism of Low Subharmonic Response in Rotor/Stator Contact—Measurements and Simulations

2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Go¨tz von Groll ◽  
David J. Ewins
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Rotating Machinery ◽  
Squeeze Film ◽  
Vibration Frequencies ◽  
Interaction Dynamics ◽  
Squeeze Film Dampers ◽  
Rotor Stator Interaction ◽  
Subharmonic Response ◽  
Subharmonic Vibration ◽  
Aero Engines

There are a variety of abnormal running conditions in rotating machinery that lead to rotor/stator interaction dynamics which, in turn, have a range of effects associated with them. One of these effects is steady vibration response at frequencies which are different from the excitation. This paper describes a mechanism of generating subharmonic vibration frequencies in both numerical simulation and measurements, which are obtained from a study of the relatively new problem of “windmilling imbalance” in aero-engines. What is different from other nonlinear systems with, say, clearance or squeeze film dampers, is the richness of the frequency spectrum.

Nonlinear Dynamic Behavior of a Flexible Shaft Supported by Smart Hydrostatic Squeeze Film Dampers

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bouzidane ◽  
M. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Dynamic Behavior ◽  
Nonlinear Model ◽  
Nonlinear Dynamic ◽  
Electrorheological Fluid ◽  
Squeeze Film ◽  
Squeeze Film Damper ◽  
Flexible Shaft ◽  
Squeeze Film Dampers ◽  
Nonlinear Dynamic Behavior

The aim of this research is to study the nonlinear dynamic behavior of a flexible shaft supported by smart hydrostatic squeeze film dampers, which are filled with a negative electrorheological fluid (NERF). A nonlinear model of the hydrostatic squeeze film damper has been developed in order to study the effect of the electrorheological fluid on the dynamic behavior of a flexible shaft. The results obtained are discussed and compared with the linear model, which is restricted to only small vibrations around the equilibrium position. A new smart hydrostatic squeeze film damper is proposed to reduce the transient response of the shaft and transmitted forces by applying an electric field to the NER fluid, which results in modifying its viscosity. The results show that it is possible to effectively monitor the electric field and the viscosity of the fluid inside the hydrostatic squeeze film dampers (HSFD) for a better control of flexible shaft vibration and bearing transmitted forces.

Numerical Analysis of Flexible Rotor With Nonlinear Bearings and Squeeze Film Dampers

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianming Cao ◽  
Timothy Dimond ◽  
Paul Allaire
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Film ◽  
Squeeze Film ◽  
Steam Turbines ◽  
Flexible Rotor ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Closed Form Solutions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Squeeze Film Dampers ◽  
Nodal Displacements ◽  
Nonlinear Components

This paper presents dynamic behaviors of a flexible rotor supported on nonlinear bearings and nonlinear squeeze film dampers. The nonlinear bearing and damper forces, which depend on instantaneous nodal displacements and velocities, are calculated at each time step through closed form solutions of Reynolds equation. Such combinations of fluid film bearings and squeeze film dampers are often used in industrial machines such as compressors and steam turbines to increase system damping. No previous works have studied the nonlinear time transient analysis of a fluid film bearing and damper combination. To describe the coupled motion of shaft, bearing and squeeze film damper, a method of assembling both the linear rotor and the nonlinear components is developed. The numerical transient analyses are applied to a 3-disk rotor supported with nonlinear short plain journal bearings and nonlinear short squeeze film dampers. Squeeze film dampers, introduced to the system, increase dynamic stability of the system under a wide range of system rotational speeds, and decrease the bearing forces under severe unbalance forces. Different nonlinear rotor dynamic behavior, such as sub-harmonic, super-harmonic and torus orbits are shown in transient analyses. This type of analysis can be employed to study whether a centering spring is required in the damper or not.

Nonlinear Analysis of Rotor-Bearing Systems Using Component Mode Synthesis

1983 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 606-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. D. Nelson ◽  
W. L. Meacham ◽  
D. P. Fleming ◽  
A. F. Kascak
Keyword(s):  
Forced Response ◽  
Component Mode Synthesis ◽  
Squeeze Film ◽  
System Response ◽  
Reduced Order ◽  
Squeeze Film Dampers ◽  
Rotor Bearing ◽  
System Equations ◽  
Transient System ◽  
Blade Loss

The method of component mode synthesis is developed to determine the forced response of nonlinear, multishaft, rotor-bearing systems. The formulation allows for simulation of system response due to blade loss, distributed unbalance, base shock, maneuver loads, and specified fixed frame forces. The motion of each rotating component of the system is described by superposing constraint modes associated with boundary coordinates and constrained precessional modes associated with internal coordinates. The precessional modes are truncated for each component and the reduced component equations are assembled with the nonlinear supports and interconnections to form a set of nonlinear system equations of reduced order. These equations are then numerically integrated to obtain the system response. A computer program, which is presently restricted to single shaft systems has been written and results are presented for transient system response associated with blade loss dynamics, with squeeze film dampers, and with interference rubs.

Influence of different flow regimes on the performance characteristics of a four-pad hydrostatic squeeze film damper loaded between pads

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 440-446
Author(s):  
Amina Nemchi ◽  
Ahmed Bouzidane ◽  
Aboubakeur Benariba ◽  
Hicham Aboshighiba
Keyword(s):  
Turbulent Flow ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Flow Regimes ◽  
Performance Characteristics ◽  
Squeeze Film ◽  
Eccentricity Ratio ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Turbulent Flow Regime ◽  
Squeeze Film Dampers

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.

Experimental Evaluation of a Metal Mesh Bearing Damper

2000 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 326-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Zarzour ◽  
John Vance
Keyword(s):  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Squeeze Film ◽  
Gas Generator ◽  
Metal Mesh ◽  
Previous Investigator ◽  
Spreadsheet Program ◽  
Squirrel Cage ◽  
Power Turbine ◽  
Squeeze Film Dampers

Metal mesh is a commercially available material used in many applications including seals, heat shields, filters, gaskets, aircraft engine mounts, and vibration absorbers. This material has been tested by the authors as a bearing damper in a rotordynamic test rig. The test facility was originally used to support the design of a turboprop engine, developing squirrel cages and squeeze film dampers for both the gas generator and power turbine rotors. To design the metal mesh damper, static stiffness and dynamic rap test measurements were first made on metal mesh samples in a specially designed nonrotating test fixture. These property tests were performed on samples of various densities and press fits. One sample was also tested in an Instron machine as an ancillary and redundant way to determine the stiffness. Using the stiffness test results and equations derived by a previous investigator, a spreadsheet program was written and used to size metal mesh donuts that have the radial stiffness value required to replace the squirrel cage in the power turbine. The squirrel cage and squeeze film bearing damper developed for the power turbine rotor was then replaced by a metal mesh donut sized by the computer code. Coast down tests were conducted through the first critical speed of the power turbine. The results of the metal mesh tests are compared with those obtained from previous testing with the squeeze film damper and show that the metal mesh damper has the same damping as the squeeze film at room temperature but does not lose its damping at elevated temperatures up to 103°C. Experiments were run under several different conditions, including balanced rotor, unbalanced rotor, heated metal mesh, and wet (with oil) metal mesh. The creep, or sag, of the metal mesh supporting the rotor weight was also measured over a period of several weeks and found to be very small. Based on these tests, metal mesh dampers appear to be a viable and attractive substitute for squeeze film dampers in gas turbine engines. The advantages shown by these tests include less variation of damping with temperature, ability to handle large rotor unbalance, and the ability (if required) to operate effectively in an oil free environment. Additional testing is required to determine the endurance properties, the effect of high impact or maneuver loads, and the ability to sustain blade loss loads (which squeeze films cannot handle). [S0742-4795(00)01002-4]

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