No abstract

Eccentricity leading to unbalanced magnetic pull (UMP) in electrical machines is a significant concern in industry. The UMP is known to be composed of two components: a radial component and a tangential one. Models that are used in industry tend to include the radial component alone. In this article, a Jeffcott rotor model together with a new UMP model that incorporates both radial and tangential UMP constituents is studied for an industrial hydropower generator. Characterizing the UMP as springs permits the model to inherit UMP stiffness contribution. Interesting dynamics are observed with the new model for a wide range of external forcing frequencies. It is shown firstly that the new UMP model is sensitive to forcing frequency in the rotor movements. Secondly, it is found that this sensitivity to forcing frequency increases with decreasing rotor system stiffness. Moreover, quasi-periodic motion in the rotor displacements is observed and it is noted that the rotor does not need to be forced by frequencies above its critical speed for this less desirable motion to occur. Thus, it becomes interesting to be able to account for the UMP stiffness contribution in order to curb machine malfunction which might result from these UMP forces.

No abstract

Eccentricity leading to unbalanced magnetic pull (UMP) in electrical machines is a significant concern in industry. The UMP is known to be composed of two components: A radial component and a tangential one. Models that are used in industry currently tend to include the radial component alone. In this paper, a Jeffcott rotor model together with a new UMP model that incorporates both radial and tangential UMP constituents is studied for an industrial hydropower generator. Characterising the UMP as springs permits the model to inherit UMP stiffness contribution. Interesting dynamics are observed with the new model for a wide range of external forcing frequencies. It is shown firstly that the new UMP model is sensitive to forcing frequency in the rotor movements. Moreover, complex dynamics in the displacements of the rotor are observed for some forcing frequencies and it is noted that the rotor does not need to be forced by frequencies above its critical speed for this less desirable motion to occur. Eigenvalue-based stability analysis is performed and shows that damping of the rotor and of the bearings are important when non-synchronous whirling of the rotor is considered. Accounting for both components of UMP is an important cornerstone in the generation of better rotor design parameters which can help to curb rotor-stator malfunction and can contribute in the design of long lasting rotors to the betterment of hydropower technology.

No abstract