Dynamic modeling and simulation of a flexible-rotor ball bearing system

This work proposes a comprehensive numerical dynamic model of a flexible-rotor bearing system based on the Hertzian and cubic polynomial nonlinear contact force methods. The model can consider the influences of the nonlinear bearing contact forces and unbalanced force caused by the rotor offset. The displacements and spectrums of the flexible-rotor bearing system from the Hertzian and cubic polynomial nonlinear contact force methods are discussed. The influences of the radial clearance, eccentricity, mass, and deformation of the rotor on the frequency–amplitude characteristics of the flexible-rotor bearing system considering a large speed range are analyzed. The results show that the dynamic and vibration characteristics of the flexible-rotor bearing system from the Hertzian and cubic polynomial nonlinear contact force methods are different. The differences of the frequency–amplitude characteristics between the flexible- and rigid-rotor bearing system are small in a lower speed stage; however, their differences are very large in a higher speed stage. This method can be applied to the nonlinear dynamic modeling and simulation of the flexible-rotor bearing system, which can predict the dynamics and prevent the system failures during the design processing of rotor system.