Dynamic characteristics analysis of a rotor system with two types of limiters

• Rubbing models under two types of limiters are developed based on contact dynamics.
• Dynamic model of the rotor–stator system is developed based on the finite element method.
• System motion under the first type of limiter is more stable than that under the second.
• High odd multiple frequency components are excited under the first type of limiter.
• Impact resonance phenomenon appears under the rotor–limiter rubbing condition.

On the basis of Ref. Ma et al. (2013, Mechanical System and Signal Processing, 38, 137–153), the paper adopts a finite element (FE) method to investigate the complicated dynamic characteristics of a rotor system with two types of limiters under multilateral contact and friction conditions when the rubbing occurs between the rotor and limiters. The current study focuses on the effects of different stator/limiter forms on the vibration responses of the rotor–stator coupling system. First, FE models of the rotor with two types of limiters (four pin shaped stators and three pin shaped stators) are established. Then four and three point–point contact elements are used to simulate the rubbing between rotor and the two types of limiters. These contact elements describe the coupling of the rotor and the stators by the augmented Lagrangian method. Complicated vibration responses of the rotor system with two types of limiters under different rotating speeds are analyzed by spectrum cascades, rotor orbits, normal rubbing forces, amplitude spectrum, time-domain waveform and stator acceleration. The results show that the vibration responses of the rotor under the first type of limiter are more stable than those under the second type of limiter by observing the intensity and times of the rubbing, the magnitude of normal rubbing force and the regularity of frequency components caused by rubbing.