Design of a Squeeze-Film Damper for a Multi-Mass Flexible Rotor

Abstract

A single mass flexible rotor analysis was used to optimize the stiffness and damping of a flexible support for a symmetric five-mass rotor. The flexible support attenuates the rotor motions and forces transmitted to the support bearings when the rotor operates through and above its first bending critical speed. An oil squeeze-film damper was designed based on short bearing lubrication theory. The damper design was verified by an unbalance response computer program. Rotor amplitudes were reduced by a factor of 16 and loads reduced by a factor of 36 compared with the same rotor on rigid bearing supports.