Dynamic characterization of a mechanical coupling for a rotating shaft

Abstract

This article concerns the dynamic characterization of a flexible coupling that connects two co-axial shafts. Four different lumped parameter coupling models from the literature are investigated to see which model could best predict the dynamic behaviour of the coupling. The finite-element method was used to model the rotor dynamic system incorporating the coupling. Frequency response functions from this model were compared with measured frequency response functions from the rotor test rig with the shaft and coupling rotating at a specific speed. Parameters from the model were adjusted to minimize an objective function involving the measured and predicted frequency response functions. It was found that the simplest model of the coupling that could reasonably represent the coupling involves rotational (bending) stiffness and damping.