Generation of Squeal/Chatter in Water-Lubricated Elastomeric Bearings

Abstract

This paper presents results from an investigation concerned with vibrational characteristics of compliant-layer water-lubricated bearings. An experimental apparatus emulates the dynamic interactions between the propeller shaft and a water-lubricated elastomeric bearing stave. A computer model predicts the squeal tendency of the experimental apparatus. Correlations are obtained by using the apparatus to verify the predicted squeal tendency. Utilizing the computer model, the effects of varying system parameters on squeal/chatter are determined quantitatively. From the results obtained, it is found that the slope of the friction-speed curve and the effective structural damping are the most important parameters. It is concluded that the essential features of squeal/chatter have been identified and that the phenomenon can be modelled analytically.