Nonlinear dynamic and bifurcation analysis of short aerodynamic journal bearings

A numerical analysis of a rigid rotor supported by relative short aerodynamic journal bearings is presented for nonlinear dynamic behaviors and bifurcation. The compressible Reynolds' equation is solved by the finite differences method and the successive over relation method and a time-dependent mathematical model for aerodynamic journal bearings is studied. A comparison of the results for the system state trajectory, Poincaré maps, power spectra, and bifurcation diagrams is made and dynamic behavior of the rotor center in the horizontal and vertical directions under different operating conditions is analyzed. The analysis shows how the existence of a complex dynamic behavior comprises periodic and subharmonic response of the rotor center. This paper shows how the dynamic behavior of this type of system varies with changes in bearing number and squeeze number.