Identification of Distributed Dynamic Characteristics of Journal Bearing with Large Aspect Ratio under Shaft Bending

Abstract

The classical theory of centralized dynamic characteristics with eight coefficients is adopted for traditional journal bearings. However, under cantilevered load, distributed dynamic characteristics along the axial direction will be generated for the journal bearing with a large aspect ratio (L/D). A double-section loading method simulating shaft bending and excitation was developed, a dynamic characteristic test-rig of a large-aspect-ratio bearing was set-up, the novel four-time vertical excitation method and eight-time cross excitation method were put forward, and the equations of 16 dynamic characteristic coefficients of the bearing were deduced. The dynamic characteristic test was carried out. The results showed that the four-time vertical excitation method had a small response amplitude in the horizontal direction, and was vulnerable to interference by the vibration of the test-rig. The eight-time cross excitation method had a higher SNR with more accurate identification results. When the cantilevered load was not applied, the dynamic characteristic coefficients were evenly distributed along the axial direction, the stiffness coefficients fluctuated slightly as the rotation rate increased, while the main damping coefficients decreased significantly. Shaft bending resulted in a significant increase in local dynamic characteristic coefficients, in which the relative increase in the stiffness coefficients was greater than that of the damping coefficients. Increasing the rotational speed can weaken the effect of shaft bending, and key factors that cause the axially nonuniform distribution of dynamic characteristic coefficients of the bearing are shaft bending and large aspect ratio under low speed and cantilevered load.