Nonlinear Numerical Prediction of a Rotor–Bearing System Using Damped Flexure Pivot Tilting Pad Gas Bearings

Flexure pivot tilting pad gas bearings with pad radial compliance (FPTPGB-Cs) and metal mesh dampers (MMDs) in parallel (FPTPGB-C-MMDs) have been considered for application to high-speed and high-performance turbomachinery because of their advantages of high effective damping level and adequate compliance with variations in rotor geometry or misalignment. Although the dynamic coefficients of FPTPGB-C-MMDs have been predicted using the linear method, a nonlinear study is urgently needed for their high nonlinear behavior. A nonlinear numerical investigation on the rotor–bearing system supported by FPTPGB-C-MMDs is presented in this study by using the time domain orbit simulation method that couples rotor motion equations, the unsteady Reynolds equation, and pad motion (considering MMDs) equations. The nonlinear predictions are verified by the prediction and experimental results of a published paper.FPTPGB-C-MMDs can effectively suppress the subsynchronous vibrations compared with the rotor system supported by FPTPGB-Cs. The prediction results show that a high damper mesh density has a more positive effect on improving the stability of the rotor system by reducing the subsynchronous vibrations. Investigation shows that MMDs can improve the ability of the rotor system to sustain the effect of destabilizing forces. A high damper mesh density can sustain large destabilizing forces. The simulation results also indicate that low pad radial stiffness or preload leads to high amplitudes of subsynchronous vibrations. A small clearance results in an increase in critical speed and its synchronous amplitude. Moreover, large clearance results in a wide speed range that leads to the occurrence of subsynchronous vibrations with large amplitudes.