Vibration attenuation of rotor-bearing systems using smart electro-rheological elastomer supports

Abstract

Nowadays, capability of safe operation sufficiently away from the critical speeds is one of the most important design requirements of rotating machineries. The focus of this paper is the application of smart electro-rheological (ER) elastomers to rotor dynamics field to reduce the vibration level of a rotor system. A Jeffcott rotor, supported via two bearings at both ends augmented with ER elastomers, is considered. A finite element approach, based on the Rayleigh beam theory, is used to model the dynamics of the system, and the proposed model accounts for the rotary inertia, gyroscopic effects and shaft's internal damping. The ER elastomer supports are simulated with four-parameter viscoelastic model. The simulation results reveal that the use of ER elastomer in the conventional bearing supports leads to downshifting of the critical speeds and a considerable reduction in its corresponding vibration amplitude. Also, the stability limit speed of the system is improved by employing the ER elastomer technology. To extend the stability region of the rotor system to higher operating rotational speeds, a simple on-off control strategy is employed. The proposed control scheme determines the required real-time voltage to be applied at ER elastomers and guarantees low vibration amplitude over a wide frequency range. The novel idea of using ER elastomers for vibration suppression of rotor systems can be fairly extended to other applications which suffer from unwanted high amplitude vibrations.

Vibration control of a bi-disk rotor using electro-rheological elastomers

“…In this research work, the ERE material is assumed to be an isotropic material, as proposed by Rkabi et al [22]. Moreover, this viscoelastic material depends on the temperature which is supposed to be constant.…”

“…Furthermore, researches on the use of ERE for vibration control of rotor bearing systems are quite rare. Until now and to the knowledge of the authors, there is only a single paper published by Rkabi et al [22] dealing with the application of ERE to control the vibration of a simple Jeffcott rotor using smart ERE supports. The paper discusses the effect of using an ER elastomer bearing insert on the steady-state vibration response and the stability of the rotor system.…”

“…These rotors must pass through one or more critical speeds during runup and run-down conditions, exhibiting large vibration amplitudes and more complex dynamic effects [23]. However, [22] used only a simple Jeffcott rotor having a single critical speed at operating speed range and did not investigate the effect of the ERE supports on the transient response during rotor speed up and down.…”

Effect of grease on bearing vibration performance caused by short-time high-temperature exposure

“…Vibration performance is one of the most important properties of rolling bearings [1,2], and is the basis for evaluation of bearing life and reliability [3,4]. With progress of manufacturing technology, the machining precision of rolling bearing is continually improving, and lubricating grease becomes an important factor affecting the vibration of bearings [5,6].…”

Dynamic behavior analysis of a rigid rotor supported by hydrostatic squeeze film dampers compensated with new electrorheological valve restrictors

“…Zapom el et al (2017) studied the vibration control of rotor by squeeze film damper with magnetorheological fluid (MRF) for vibration suppression of rigid rotors. Rkabi et al (2019) studied the application of smart electrorheological (ER) elastomers to rotor dynamics field to reduce the vibration level of a rotor system. They found that the results reveal by using of the ER elastomer in the conventional journal bearings lead to downshifting of the critical speeds and a considerable reduction in its corresponding vibration amplitude.…”