Stability Characteristics of a Journal Bearing Mounted in an Uncentralized Squeeze Film Damper

Abstract

This paper describes the stability of a journal bearing mounted in an uncentralized squeeze film damper. It is known that mounting a journal bearing in a centralized squeeze film damper improves the bearing stability. From a practical viewpoint, however, it is difficult to centralize journal bearings which support a heavy rotor, such as a steam turbine. Experimentally, we show that a journal bearing can be stabilized by mounting in an uncentralized squeeze film damper. The effect of clearance of a squeeze film damper is investigated. By using short bearing analysis, rotor trajectories are calculated. Calculated results also shows stability improvement.