Minimizing the vibration amplitude of rotating machinery running through the resonance area by application of magnetorheological squeeze film dampers

The unbalance of rotating machines excites their lateral vibration that can become excessive in the vicinity of the critical speeds. Placing magnetorheological dampers to the rotor supports is a possible technological solution for reducing its amplitude. Both the analytical studies and practical experience show that behaviour of these damping elements is strongly nonlinear. A novel mathematical model of a magnetorheological squeeze film damper has been developed on the assumptions of the classical theory of lubrication, except that for the lubricant. The magnetorheological oil is represented by a bilinear material, the yielding shear stress of which depends on magnetic induction. The simulation results show that a right control of the damping force arrives at significant reduction of the vibration amplitude. The development and application of a new model of a magnetorheological squeeze film damper and confirmation of its efficiency and computational stability are the principal contributions of this article.