On the validity of the classical hydrodynamic lubrication theory applied to Squeeze Film Dampers

Squeeze film dampers (SFD) are devices utilized to control vibrations of the shafts of high-speed rotating machinery. The SFD - squirrel cage combination is probably the most used system for tuning the stiffness and damping of the supports for rotors installed on ball bearings. Squeeze film dampers are essentially hydrodynamic bearings which contain the ball bearings housings of ball-bearings supported shafts. Consequently, the oil film within the SFD are influenced only by the precession and nutation of the shaft, that is the flow of the oil within the damper is not directly influenced by the spin of the rotor. However, in the classical theory, the flow in the thin film is also governed by the Reynolds equation. In this paper, some of the limits of the classical theory of the SFD are discussed and theoretical and experimental studies, which illustrate the ideas presented herein, are presented as well. The orbits of an unbalanced rotor that is supported by a ball-bearings-SFD-squirrel-cage assembly at one end and by rigidly mounted ball bearings at the other end are computed using the bearing forces provided by the classical short bearing theory. The numerical model also includes the properties of the squirrel cage. The parameters of the squirrel cage were measured, together with the effect of the friction within the assembly. Experimental unbalance responses were also collected for various rotation speeds and unbalances to validate the numerical simulations.