Influence of Non-Linear Rotor Dynamics on the Bearing Friction of Automotive Turbochargers

Abstract

Abstract:One of the possibilities to increase the efficiency of an internal combustion engine is to enhance its interaction with the charging system. With the help of new advanced simulation tools, the rotor dynamic behavior and bearing friction losses of turbochargers (TC) can be quantified in the early stage of the development process. This procedure enables virtual bearing development, leading to shortened development times and reduced testing costs. This paper presents a detailed view of the findings in current research; focusing on rotor dynamic simulations with emphasis on the non-linear dynamics (oil whirl; oil whip) and their impact on bearing friction losses. In order to obtain a detailed understanding of these effects; elastic multibody simulations (EMBS) with elastic hydrodynamic bearing (EHD) analysis including a mass-conservative approach are used. Measurement data is obtained using a unique test bench which is designed to quantify the bearing friction losses by means of a drag test. Additionally, hot gas test bench measurements are carried out to assess the non-linear rotor dynamics during steady state operation using shaft motion measurement equipment. In the first step; a multibody simulation model of a common automotive TC is set up; and a model of the friction test bench is mapped into it. The author will show that there is a high agreement between simulated and measured friction losses. In the second step; the TC model is detached from the virtual test bench and a variation of the essential parameters are carried out to identify the influence of the non-linear rotor dynamics on the bearing friction. A final model validation is obtained by comparing the measured shaft orbits for the TC hot gas test bench with the results from the multibody simulation.