Surrogate Models for the Prediction of Damping Ratios in Coupled Acoustoelastic Rotor-Cavity Systems

Abstract

Centrifugal compressors are versatile machines that many industries employ for a wide range of different applications, including the production of highly compressed gases. During the last decades, comprehensive research was conducted on the impact of high-pressure operating conditions on the vibrational behavior of radial compressors. In various studies, acoustic modes building up in the side cavities were found to be a potential source of high cycle fatigue. Nowadays, it is well-known that an increase in gas pressure levels leads to a more pronounced fluid–structure interaction between the side cavities and the impeller resulting in a frequency shift of the acoustic and structural modes. In a recently published paper, the authors presented a generalized model which can predict this behavior. As it is not always possible to avoid operating close to or accelerating through a resonance, it is crucial to know the damping present within the system. Currently, only few publications concentrate on the damping of radial impellers. Therefore, the authors present measurement data acquired from a test rig at the University of Duisburg-Essen, which reveals the damping behavior of a disk under varying operating conditions. Two surrogate models are proposed to predict the identified damping behavior. The first one is based solely on a one-dimensional piston model and the second approach uses an enhanced version of the generalized method. Finally, the measurement data are used to validate both surrogate systems.