Model and Algorithm for a Rotor-Bearing System Considering Journal Misalignment

Abstract

Disturbances caused as a result of the misalignment and axial motion of the journal affect the characteristics of the rotor-bearing system. This paper aims to propose an algorithm for the theoretical analysis of a rotor-bearing system that considers these disturbances. A theoretical model for a journal bearing considering disturbances is given. The dynamic equations for a rigid rotor-bearing system are introduced. A detailed algorithm that can simultaneously solve the rotor-dynamic equations and the Reynolds equation is proposed. The static performance, such as the bearing attitude angle and the fluid film pressure, are given, and dynamic characteristics such as the nonlinear dynamic responses and the axial orbits of a rigid rotor-bearing system are presented. The hydrodynamic effect of the bearing is enhanced by the axial disturbance. Disturbances in the circumferential and radial directions lead to variations in the fluid film thickness distribution in the axial direction and the offset of the fluid film pressure distribution in the axial direction. When these disturbances work together, the variation trend is more obvious and affects the capacity and dynamic characteristics of the bearing. When the L/D value of the bearing increases, the clearance between the journal and the bearing decreases rapidly. When the value reaches a certain limit, contact and collision might occur. The theoretical analysis method and the algorithm proposed for a rotor-bearing system considering several disturbances could enhance the design level for a bearing and rotor-bearing system.