Influence of journal bearing axial grooves on the dynamic behavior of horizontal rotors

Issue title: XI Diname

Article type: Research Article

Authors: de Carvalho Michalski, Miguel Angelo | Zindeluk, Moysés | de Oliveira Rocha, Renato

Affiliations: Cepel, Centro de Pesquisa em Energia Elétrica, Av. Jequitibá s/n, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 21944-970, Brazil | COPPE/UFRJ, LAVI, Sala I-130, Centro de Tecnologia, Av. Jequitibá s/n, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 21945-970, Brazil

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel.: +55 21 2598 6496; E-mail: mich@cepel.br

Abstract: Journal bearing design and the lubricant characteristics are very influential in a rotating machine behaviour. The bearing geometry can drastically affect the lubricant flow and also the rotor dynamics. Approaching that issue, this paper presents an experimental study of the dynamic behavior of a horizontal rotor suported by journal bearings with semi-circular axial grooves. The journal bearings were manufactured with a varied number of axial grooves and a versatile test rig is used, making possible the analysis of different configurations. The acquired signals are analyzed with classical and non-linear tools and the differences among the rotors' configurations can be shown.

Keywords: Rotordynamics, grooved journal bearings, journal bearing instabilities, non-linear dynamics

Journal: Shock and Vibration, vol. 13, no. 4-5, pp. 285-300, 2006