Improved identification of squeeze-film damper models for aeroengine vibration analysis

Numerical solution of the Reynolds equation imposes a prohibitive computational cost on the dynamic analysis of practical squeeze film damped turbomachinery. To surmount this problem, the present paper develops the use of Chebyshev polynomial fits to identify finite difference (FD) solution of the incompressible Reynolds equation. The proposed method manipulates the Reynolds equation to allow efficient and accurate identification in the presence of cavitation, the feed-groove, feed-ports, end-plate seals and supply pressure. The ability of Chebyshev polynomials to rapidly reproduce FD routines is demonstrated. The bearing models developed are experimentally proven to give more accurate results than alternative analytical bearing models.