Experimental study on the effect of a circumferential feeding groove on the dynamic force response of a sealed squeeze film damper

The influence of a circumferential feeding groove on the dynamic force response of a sealed squeeze film damper is determined experimentally. The damper is sealed by means of a serrated piston ring located at the discharge end of the damper. Damper configurations with two different groove depths and journal orbit radii were tested at increasing whirl frequencies. Large levels of dynamic pressure were measured at the circumferential groove, and relatively large tangential (damping) forces are produced at the groove which contribute considerably to the damping characteristics of the test damper. Radial forces were also determined at the feeding groove and at the film land for uncavitated flow conditions.