Numerical simulation of feedback controlled fluid-induced instabilities in rotor system supported by hydrodynamic bearings

In certain operating conditions, the oil-film forces, by which the hydrodynamic bearings act on the rotor, destabilize and induce a self-excited vibration. There are many solution based on modifications of the bearing geometry to enlarge the operational range of the hydrodynamic bearing as a tilting pad bearing, lemon bore, etc. or usage of the dampers whose operation is based only on the dissipation of mechanical energy. In this paper several concepts based on controlled kinematic excitation of the bearing shells is investigated by computer simulation and by experimental test. The mathematical model of the uncontrolled and controlled rotor system contains the nonlinear hydrodynamic forces determined by the solution of the Reynolds equation assuming short case of bearing. To solve the equation of motion the Runge-Kutta method of the 4th order with Dormand-Prince modification and variable length of the integration step is used. The computer simulations were performed for rotor system without feedback control and with feedback controller. The main objectives of the numerical analysis were determination of the stability regions of the vibration excited by the imbalance forces. Results of the computer simulations proved that the analyzed approaches reduce amplitude of the rotor vibration caused by the imbalance forces. Experimental test and computer simulations demonstrate that the active vibration control increases considerably the rotation speed when the self-excited vibration of the oil-film occurred.