Design of Squeeze Film Damper Supports for Rigid Rotors

Abstract

This paper investigates squeeze film bearings supporting a centrally preloaded rigid rotor mounted in antifriction bearings. Assuming the short bearing approximation and isothermal, incompressible lubrication, design data are presented for such a system over a wide range of operating conditions. Design considerations include the possibility of undesirable operation modes, the maximum unbalance for which the squeeze film support is superior to the rigid mount, the transmissibility at design speed and the forces transmitted during start-up. It is shown that unbalance force attenuations by factors of three or more are a practical possibility with a consequent increase in antifriction bearing life. A numerical example is included.