OPTIMAL-DESIGN OF CENTERED SQUEEZE FILM DAMPERS

A two degree-of-freedom model, consisting of a rigid rotor supported o n rigid bearings which are in turn supported on squeeze film dampers, is considered. Isotropic centering springs are assumed resulting in a steady synchronous centered circular response for the rotor. The resul ting nonlinear system is modeled in non-dimensional form. The transmis sibility ratio of the system as well as the power dissipated are minim ized for various values of unbalance and at several speeds, with the s queeze film bearing parameter as the primary design variable. Expressi ons are derived for linear variational stability of the circular orbit , and are imposed as constraints in the optimization process. The depe ndence of the optimal configuration on speed and unbalance is discusse d.