A theoretical basis for static and dynamic operation of tilting pad journal bearings (TPJBs) has evolved over the last 50 years. Originally demonstrated by Lund using the pad assembly method and a classic Reynolds equation solution, the current state of the art includes full thermoelastohydrodynamic solutions of the generalized Reynolds equation that include fluid convective inertia effects, pad motions; and thermal and mechanical deformations of the pads and shaft. The development of TPJB theory is reviewed, emphasizing dynamic modeling. The paper begins with the early analyses of fixed geometry bearings and continues to modern analyses that include pad motion and stiffness and damping effects. The development of thermohydrodynamic, thermoelastohydrodynamic, and bulk-flow analyses is reviewed. The theories of TPJB dynamics, including synchronous and nonsynchronous models, are reviewed. A discussion of temporal inertia effects in tilting pad bearing is considered. Future trends are discussed, and a path for experimental verification is proposed.
Fluid film journal bearings (FFBs) are used to support high-speed rotors in turbomachinery which often operate above the rotor first bending critical speed. The FFBs provide both lateral support and dynamic coefficients: stiffness, damping, and mass terms, related to machine vibrations. Detailed numerical values of the bearing dynamic characteristics are necessary for proper design and operation of rotating machinery.The methods of the identification of fluid film journal bearing static and dynamic characteristics, particularly the bearing stiffness, damping, and mass coefficients, from measured data, obtained from different measurement systems, is reviewed. Many bearing tests have been performed to validate a number of different theoretical models, including the classical Reynolds isoviscous model. More advanced bearing models include the thermohydrodynamic (THD), and thermoelastohydrodynamic (TEHD) approaches. The advanced models also include turbulence effects which are important as rotor speeds continue to increase. The range of measured bearing data no longer includes current operational conditions.The various approaches to the bearing identification problem are discussed, including the different force excitation methods of incremental loading, sinusoidal, pseudorandom, impulse, known/additional unbalance, and non-contact excitation. Also bearing excitation and rotor excitation approaches are discussed. Data processing methods in the time and frequency domains are presented. Methods of evaluating the effects of measurement uncertainty on overall bearing coefficient confidence levels are reviewed.In this review, the relative strengths and weaknesses of bearing identification methods are presented, and developments and trends in improving bearing measurements are documented. Future trends in journal bearing identification improvement are discussed.
Most industrial rotors supported in active magnetic bearings (AMBs) are operated well below the first bending critical speed. Also, they are usually controlled using proportional, integral and derivative controllers, which are set up as modally uncoupled parallel and tilt rotor axes. Gyroscopic effects create mode splitting and a speed-dependent plant. Two AMBs with four axes of control must simultaneously control and stabilize the rotor/AMB system. Various analyses have been published considering this problem for different rotor/AMB configurations. There has not been a fully dimensionless analysis of these rigid rotor AMB systems. This paper will perform this analysis with a modal PD controller in terms of translation mode and tilt mode dimensionless eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The number of independent system parameters is significantly reduced. Dimensionless PD controller gains, the ratio of rotor polar to transverse moments of inertia and a dimensionless speed ratio are used to evaluate a fully general system stability rigid rotor analysis. An objective of this work is to quantify the effects of gyroscopics on rigid rotor AMB systems. These gyroscopic forces reduce the system stability margin. The paper is also intended to help provide a common framework for communication between rotating machinery designers and controls engineers
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