Stability and Transient Characteristics of Four Multilobe Journal Bearing Configurations

Abstract

Multilobe journal bearings are often used to improve the stability response of rotating machinery. Such machines operate near the stability threshold of the bearing-rotor system. This work determines the linearized stability threshold of four multilobe journal bearings: elliptical, offset elliptical, three lobe, and four lobe. A nonlinear transient analysis of a rigid rotor in each of these bearings is carried out above and below the threshold speed. Shaft orbits and bearing forces are calculated. A numerical fast Fourier transform analysis is used to obtain the frequency content of the nonlinear orbit.