Improved test rig for vibration control of a rotor bearing system

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

Abstract

Passing through resonance frequencies is a well-known problem in the field of rotating machinery. When passing through resonances, a strong increase of unbalance induced forces can be observed. These forces may decrease lifetime or lead to destruction of the machine's bearings and other components. In order to avoid damage, measures to counter-act these forces and therefore increase bearing life have to be taken. In this paper, low-cost, passive approaches to modify resonance frequencies as well as the pass through be-haviour by varying the overall stiffness and damping coefficient of bearing are presented. Design requirements, such as the necessity to actively cool the outer bearing races as a re-sult of high thermal resistance of elastomer elements were also taken into consideration. To carry out experiments, a laboratory test rig was built and put into operation. The test rig consists of a simple rotor-bearing-system, in which unbalance masses can be attached to the rotor disk. One bearing block is supported by two beam elements, which include force sensors. MATLAB and COMSOL simulations regarding the rotor dynamics of the system were carried out to determine resonance frequencies and validate measured and simulated results. For these investigations, different bearing suspension systems were used to com-pare several resilient bearing seats with a rigid one. Parameters, which were varied during these experiments, are mainly damping and stiffness. As a result, the presented studies will help to decide which bearing suspension strategy to apply under different circumstances. In the future, the presented results will be compared to active vibration control approach-es.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages8
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2016
Event23rd International Congress on Sound & Vibration - Athen, Greece
Duration: 10 Jul 201614 Jul 2016

Conference

Conference23rd International Congress on Sound & Vibration
Abbreviated titleICVS23
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityAthen
Period10/07/1614/07/16

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