Theoretical and experimental steady-state rotordynamics of an adaptive Air Film Damper with Metal Rubber

An Air Film Damper (AFD) made with a highly damping material called Metal Rubber (MR) as the outer ring is a novel damping structure that aims to reduce the remarkable vibrations produced by a flexible rotor system. The mechanism of an AFD is firstly put forward and the mechanical model describing the fluid structure interaction is constructed. Taking into consideration the complex whirl of the rotor and the precession of the floating ring, the Reynolds equation of AFDs is derived and the air film pressure is obtained. Based on these calculations, the selection of MR stiffness is introduced and the adaptive properties of AFD are analyzed. Then the effects of AFD on the rotordynamics are studied based on the characterization of the parameters of a rotor system in the steady state. The mechanism and the effects of AFD on a rotor system are verified through rotating experimental tests. The theoretical and experimental results both show that AFD can adjust the air film clearance adaptively according to the vibration of the rotor; this can not only decrease the friction between the journal and the floating ring, but can also provide additional stiffness and damping to the rotor system, thus yielding additional vibration control.