In this paper, we present a review of the experimental identification of dynamic parameters of bearings in a rotating machine. Major emphasis is given to vibration-based identification methods and the review encompasses descriptions of experimental measurement techniques, mathematical modeling, parameter extraction algorithms and uncertainty in the estimates applied to a variety of bearings. The parameter extraction algorithms include the descriptions of governing equations of the rotor-bearing system and identification methods in both time and frequency domains. The identification techniques have been classified based on methods used to excite the system. The review includes a variety of bearings and similar components, which play an active link between the rotating and stationary parts of a machine. Based on the state of the art in bearing identification, conclusions are made and future directions are suggested.

Identification of Dynamic Bearing Parameters: A Review

The present study deals with the experimental determination of the performance of a 100 mm diameter plain journal bearing submitted to a misalignment torque. Hydrodynamic pressure and temperature fields in the mid-plane of the bearing, temperatures in two axial directions, oil flow rate, and minimum film thickness, were all measured for various operating conditions and misalignment torques. Tests were carried out for rotational speeds ranging from 1500 to 4000 rpm with a maximum static load of 9000 N and a misalignment torque varying from 0 to 70 N.m. The bearing performances were greatly affected by the misalignment. The maximum pressure in the mid-plane decreased by 20 percent for the largest misalignment torque while the minimum film thickness was reduced by 80 percent. The misalignment caused more significant changes in bearing performance when the rotational speed or load was low. The hydrodynamic effects were then relatively small and the bearing offered less resistance to the misalignment.

An Experimental Analysis of Misalignment Effects on Hydrodynamic Plain Journal Bearing Performances

Simultaneous identification of residual unbalances and bearing dynamic parameters from impulse responses of rotor-bearing systems

Journal bearing misalignment arise generally from the shaft deformation under load, deflection of the shaft, manufacturing and assembly errors, improper installation, and asymmetric loading. During operations, misalignment has a considerable effect on the static and dynamic performances. It could cause wear, vibration and even system failure. In this article, a literature review of misalignment of the journal bearings is presented. The basic theory for the misalignment and some results for the circular journal bearing are also presented to show the general trends of the misalignment.

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On the Characteristics of Misaligned Journal Bearings

Fluid film journal bearings (FFBs) are used to support high-speed rotors in turbomachinery which often operate above the rotor first bending critical speed. The FFBs provide both lateral support and dynamic coefficients: stiffness, damping, and mass terms, related to machine vibrations. Detailed numerical values of the bearing dynamic characteristics are necessary for proper design and operation of rotating machinery. The methods of the identification of fluid film journal bearing static and dynamic characteristics, particularly the bearing stiffness, damping, and mass coefficients, from measured data, obtained from different measurement systems, is reviewed. Many bearing tests have been performed to validate a number of different theoretical models, including the classical Reynolds isoviscous model. More advanced bearing models include the thermohydrodynamic (THD), and thermoelastohydrodynamic (TEHD) approaches. The advanced models also include turbulence effects which are important as rotor speeds continue to increase. The range of measured bearing data no longer includes current operational conditions. The various approaches to the bearing identification problem are discussed, including the different force excitation methods of incremental loading, sinusoidal, pseudorandom, impulse, known/additional unbalance, and non-contact excitation. Also bearing excitation and rotor excitation approaches are discussed. Data processing methods in the time and frequency domains are presented. Methods of evaluating the effects of measurement uncertainty on overall bearing coefficient confidence levels are reviewed. In this review, the relative strengths and weaknesses of bearing identification methods are presented, and developments and trends in improving bearing measurements are documented. Future trends in journal bearing identification improvement are discussed.

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Identification methods and test results for tilting pad and fixed geometry journal bearing dynamic coefficients – A review

Effects of journal misalignment on the performance characteristics of three-lobe bearings

The dynamic behavior of the rotating machinery supported by the hydrodynamic journal bearings is significantly influenced by the dynamic characteristics of the oil film. In the present work an efficient identification method is used to identify the stiffness and damping coefficients of the tilting pad and cylindrical journal bearings of a flexible rotor-bearing system. The method uses FRFs (Frequency Response Functions) obtained by the measurements and the finite element method. The accuracy and feasibility of the method were tested and demonstrated by theoretical simulation. The possible effects of oil-film inertia is also verified by the theoretical simulation. The method can be further extended to identify twelve linearized oil-film coefficients.

Experimental Identification of Linearized Oil Film Coefficients of Cylindrical and Tilting Pad Bearings

The misalignment between the journal and the bearing in a rotor-bearing system may be due to manufacturing error, elastic deflection, thermal expansion etc. In the present work, the eight linearized stiffness and damping coefficients of the cylindrical and three lobe bearings are identified at different levels of bearing misalignment (twisting misalignment) and at different speeds of the rotor. The identification method used here needs FRFs (Frequency Response Functions) obtained by the measurements and the finite element method. The twisting misalignment changes the stiffness and damping coefficients in the vertical and horizontal directions. In the case of three lobe bearings, for 0.7 degree of misalignment, the stiffness in the vertical direction is increased by about 12 percent.

An Experimental Investigation on the Static and Dynamic Characteristics of Journal Bearings Under the Influence of Twisting Misalignment

Vibration monitoring in sliding wear of plasma sprayed ceramics

The dynamic behavior of the rotating machinery supported by the hydrodynamic journal bearings is significantly influenced by the dynamic characteristics of the oil-film. In the present work an efficient identification method is used to identify the stiffness and damping coefficients of the tilting pad and cylindrical journal bearings of flexible rotor-bearing system. The method uses FRFs (Frequency Response Functions) obtained by the measurements and the finite element method. The accuracy and feasibility of the method were tested and demonstrated by theoretical simulation. The possible effects of oil-film inertia is also verified by the theoretical simulation. The method can be further extended to identify twelve linearized oil-film coefficients.Copyright © 1994 by ASME

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S. Swarnamani

Papers

Effects of journal misalignment on the performance characteristics of three-lobe bearings

Experimental Identification of Linearized Oil Film Coefficients of Cylindrical and Tilting Pad Bearings

An Experimental Investigation on the Static and Dynamic Characteristics of Journal Bearings Under the Influence of Twisting Misalignment

Vibration monitoring in sliding wear of plasma sprayed ceramics

Experimental Identification of Linearized Oil Film Coefficients of Cylindrical and Tilting Pad Bearings