Stability Problems in Rotor Systems

Abstract

This chapter discusses three typical topics of rotor dynamics problems: internal/external damping effects, vibration due to non-symmetrical shaft stiffness and thermal unbalance behavior. Though a rotor should rotate in a stable manner in a rotation test, problems are encountered in some cases. Most of the problems are related to unbalance, against which the countermeasure is balancing. However, more serious problems may occur that cannot be solved by balancing. In such cases other solutions must be sought. This chapter discusses the following three problems that may be encountered:

• (1) Internal damping: Loose fittings on the shaft cause damping due to sliding friction. It might seem that any damping is welcome, but this type of damping is rather a destabilizing factor at high speeds of rotation.

• (2) Asymmetric section of the rotor: Asymmetry in shaft stiffness, e.g. due to a key slot on the shaft often generates troublesome vibration.

• (3) Vibration due to thermal bow: The unbalance vibration vector of a rotor can be monitored during operation by a Nyquist plot. While the vector point normally remains unchanged during steady state operation, thermal deformation of the rotor, e.g., due to rubbing will move it. The mechanism of this phenomenon is described.

For simplicity, a single-degree-of-freedom model is used in the following discussion.