Bifurcations of a flexible rotor response in squeeze-film dampers without centering springs

Abstract

The effects of the bearing parameter, B, gravity parameter, W, and mass ratio, α, on the bifurcations in the response of a flexible rotor supported by squeeze-film dampers without centering springs were analyzed. In particular, the effects of these parameters on the onset speed of bifurcation and the extent of non-synchronous response of the rotor within the range of speed parameter, ω, between 0.5 and 5.0 were also analyzed. The results show that increasing B caused the onset of bifurcation to increase, and the range of ω where non-synchronous response was observed to decrease. The results are of significant importance to the designers and operators of rotating machinery.