EXPERIMENTAL FORCE RESPONSE OF A GROOVED SQUEEZE FILM DAMPER

The effects of a circumferential feeding groove on the dynamic force r esponse of a squeeze film damper are determined experimentally. Open e nd and sealed damper configurations are tested for different groove de pths, journal orbit radii, whirl frequency and fluid viscosity conditi ons. Significant levels of dynamic pressures are measured at the groov e in dampers with groove depth-to-clearance ratios equal to 5 and 10. These pressures affect considerably the dynamic forces of the dampers tested. Large tangential (damping) forces are produced at the circumfe rential groove which contribute significantly to the damping character istics of the test articles. For uncavitated lubricant conditions, rad ial forces of substantial magnitude are determined at the groove and a t the thin film land where the squeeze film Reynolds numbers are typic ally less than 1. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd