Effect of Biphase Lubricants on Dynamics of Rigid Rotors

Abstract

The dynamic behavior of rigid rotors as affected by the use of liquid-solid biphase lubricants in the supporting hydrodynamic bearings is studied theoretically. Two categories of dynamic behavior viz (a) unbalance response at low rotor speeds, and (b) half frequency whirl at high speeds, are studied. It is shown that the use of liquid-solid biphase lubricants causes considerable reduction in the size of journal orbit of an unbalanced rotor. The influence of particle size and dispersion concentration is studied. It is observed that an early reversal of journal surface velocity in the trailing half of crushing zone reduces the efficacy of the crushing action of the solid phase to some extent and results in periodic pulses applied by the solid phase on the journal. At higher journal speeds at which the operating point of the journal becomes unstable and the phenomenon of half-frequency whirl sets in, the use of biphase lubricants with small and medium-size particles causes a reduction in the size of whirl orbits. The journal, however, keeps whirling in a manner such that the whirl ratio crosses the value of + 1/2 twice in an orbit and thus the bearing loses its rotational load bearing capacity twice in an orbit. The use of large particles with heavy or medium weight rotors results in a significant qualitative change in the nature of whirl orbit. The journal center in such cases does not encircle the bearing center and the whirl ratio of + 1/2 is never reached. The liquid phase retains rotational load bearing capacity and shares the major part of rotor weight throughout.