The dynamic nature of rotor thermal bending due to unsteady lubricant shearing within a bearing

The influence upon the temperature distribution within a hydrodynamically lubricated journal bearing of a time varying journal orbit is considered and the oscillatory source distribution arising as a result of unsteady shearing of the lubricant is examined with respect to axes which rotate with the journal. The time dependent thermal bend induced in a rotor by such a process has been evaluated and incorporated into a rotor dynamic model for the assessment of system stability. Techniques have been developed enabling calculations to be carried out on an idealized rotor-bearing configuration and the speed range over which instability occurred was established. The rate of growth of the unstable vibrations together with the rate and direction of ‘spiralling’ of the thermal bend vector were also determined. Features of rotor and bearing design having an influence on such thermally induced instability are assessed.