Fractional-order model and nonlinear vibration analyses of hybrid gas journal bearing–rotor system

Abstract

It is important to propose a reasonable nonlinear dynamic model of gas dynamic bearing–rotor system for the stable operation of turbocharger. This paper presents a hybrid gas journal bearing (HGJBs)–rotor system with flexible supporting structure. A fractional-order dynamic model of the symmetrical flexible HGJB–rotor system is established. A tracking–alarming method is proposed to obtain the rotational speed ratio at the bifurcation point. The stable and unstable regions of the rotational speed ratio Ωω for both the rigid bearing–rotor system and flexible HGJB–rotor system are analyzed. The nonlinear dynamic behaviors of HGJB–rotor system versus the fractional order αd and rotational speed ratio Ωω are studied. Results show the fractional-order dynamic model can realize the reasonable prediction of nonlinear dynamic behaviors. An increase in the rotational speed ratio Ωω and the decrease of fractional order αd result in a growth of the vibration amplitude. The adoption of flexible supporting structure is a good strategy to increase the size of stable region.