Experimental comparison of the nonlinear dynamic behavior of a rigid rotor interacting with two types of different radial backup bearings: Ball & pinned

Rotors on magnetic bearings rely on external controls to guarantee stability and are designed in case of partial or total failures, when impacts happen and potentially lead to a breakdown. Therefore backup bearings are indispensable. In such rotor-stator interactions the main undesired phenomenon is the backward whirl.

The current work investigates the experimental behavior of a horizontal rigid rotor interacting laterally with two types of backup bearings during run up testing. The experimental data is analyzed by orbit analysis, spectrum analyzers, and force magnitudes collected by sensors installed. It is shown experimentally the nonlinear behavior of the rotor-bearing system and the elimination of backward whirl.

The advantages and drawbacks of each type of backup bearing are given.