Rub-Impact Force Induces Periodic, Quasiperiodic, and Chaotic Motions of a Controlled Asymmetric Rotor System

Abstract

This article aims to explore the oscillatory characteristics of a controlled asymmetric rotor system when subjected to rub and impact forces between the rotor and stator. Four electromagnetic poles are used to control the whirling motion of the rotor system through a linear proportional-derivative control law. The equations of motion that govern the whole system dynamics are derived including the rub and impact forces. The derived mathematical model is analyzed in two basic steps. Firstly, the obtained model is treated as a weakly nonlinear system using perturbation analysis to obtain the slow-flow modulating equations when neglecting the rub and impact forces. Depending on the obtained slow-flow equations, different response curves are plotted to explore the system’s periodic vibrations and determine the conditions at which the system can exhibit rub and impact force. Secondly, the whole system model including the rub and impact forces is investigated by using the bifurcation diagrams, Poincare map, frequency spectrums, and temporal oscillations. The obtained results revealed that the applied control law could mitigate the system whirling oscillations and prevent the rub and impact forces if the control gains are tuned properly. However, the system can perform period-n, quasiperiodic, or chaotic motion depending on the shaft spinning speed if the controller fails to eliminate the contact between the rotor and stator.