Dynamic characteristics of elastic ring squeeze film damper

The purpose of this paper is to present a numerical model to investigate the dynamic behavior and force coefficients of a compact squeeze film damper with dual film clearances adjusted by an elastic ring, known as elastic ring squeeze film damper (ERSFD).

The governing equations of ERSFD as well as the boundary conditions are obtained based on Reynolds equation. A simplified Greenwood–Williamson model is implemented to investigate the contact behavior between the elastic ring and the journal. The interactions between the films and the elastic ring are achieved by block iterative method.

The radial deformation as well as velocity of the elastic ring are captured to illustrate the pressure profiles of the inner and outer films. High-order frequency components related to the number of the boss N are observed on the frequency spectrum of the film force. The force coefficients of the ERSFD are constant for a wider range of non-dimensional whirling radius ε compared with conventional squeeze film damper.

The force coefficients of the ERSFD are obtained by assuming that the journal center moves in a circular centered orbit. High-order frequency components related to the number of bosses N are observed. These findings may provide helpful materials for the application of the ERSFD.