Experimental Rotordynamic Force Coefficients for a Diffusion Bonded Compliant Hybrid Journal Gas Bearing Utilizing Fluid-Filled Hermetic Dampers

Dynamic force coefficients are presented from experimental results of a radial gas bearing with hermetically sealed squeeze film dampers (HSFDs) in the bearing support. HSFDs are a relatively new technology aimed to increase damping levels in gas bearings while sustaining an oil-free bearing sump. Past HSFD designs proved bulky and contained many components making it difficult to employ in size-limited environments such as jet engines, while the diffusion bonded bearing discussed in this paper provides a compact integral design. Details of the design are found in a companion paper by Ertas (Ertas, B. H., 2019, "Compliant Hybrid Gas Bearing Using Integral Hermetically-Sealed Squeeze Film Dampers," ASME Paper No. GT2018-76312). Test results for a 3 in. (76.2 mm) diameter bearing using a test rig providing static loads up to 80 lbs (356 N), controlled-dynamic orbital motion, and speeds up to 27 krpm are shown. Results include frequency- and speed-dependent direct and cross-coupled rotordynamic force coefficients. Dynamic testing showed little dependence on rotor speed or static load and exhibited frequency dependency at lower excitation frequencies. Cross-coupled terms are generally an order of magnitude lower than direct terms. Results show the direct stiffness coefficients increasing with frequency, while direct damping decays radically with frequency. Comparison of the overall gas bearing coefficients with the companion paper (Ertas, B. H., 2019, "Compliant Hybrid Gas Bearing Using Integral Hermetically-Sealed Squeeze Film Dampers," ASME Paper No. GT2018-76312), showing bearing support coefficients, reveals a drastic reduction in damping when engaging the gas film. The results also indicate that the bearing can withstand vibration levels representative of a large rotor system critical speed at lower excitation frequencies.