Rotor/Seal Experimental and Analytical Study on Full Annular Rub

Abstract

Rotor/seal full annular rub, including synchronous (forward) and reverse (backward) precessions, has been investigated both experimentally and analytically. Of particular interest is the finding of reverse precessional full annular rub (dry whip) that occurs repeatedly in small clearance cases without any outside disturbance. The experimental results include rub triggering mechanism, mass unbalance, and rotative speed effects. A simplified mathematical model is used to interpret experimental results. Nonlinear solutions for both synchronous and reverse precessions are obtained along with instability zones. Mass unbalance effect on shifting from synchronous response to reverse rub and destabilizing factors such as dry friction, rotor damping, and seal stiffness, are discussed.