3. Unbalance Vibration of a Rotor in Plain Bearings

Oil-lubricated plain bearings used widely for large-sized rotating machinery can effectively suppress unbalance vibration amplitude of a rotor. This chapter outlines the nature of unbalance vibration amplitude of a rotor supported in plain bearings. The mathematical expression of unbalance vibration of a rotor is given in the rotating plane of the shaft. The two equations of motion given in the x–y-plane are converted into a single equation of motion derived with the complex expression of the displacement of the rotor. Then, the rotor is found to make an elliptical whirl orbit with major and minor axes around its equilibrium. The eight rotordynamic coefficients of a bearing oil film can be converted into the four effective coefficients expressed with the two coordinates of the major and minor axes. The vibration response and the whirl orbit are calculated and shown with varying shaft speed. The effects of bearing type and design variables on the unbalance vibration response are also calculated and compared. Furthermore, the effect of bearing pedestal characteristics on the unbalance vibration response is shown. Finally, it is shown how rotor-bearing systems can be designed to reduce the maximum amplitude of unbalance vibration when passing critical speeds.