Practical Applications Of Rotordyanmics, Bearing Design, Mechanical Analysis, And Vibration Diagnostics To Design Problems of Rotating Machinery in Operation

Abstract

A large majority of today's existing high performance rotating machinery in operation was manufactured and installed long before the advent of powerful design tools in the complex areas of rotor system dynamics and stability as well as the exacting science of hydrodynamic bearing design. Not having had the advantage of modern automated analysis techniques and their associated technologies, many of today's critical pieces of turbomachinery are experiencing operational difficulties which are symptomatic, not of maintenance related problems, but of basic inadequacy of design. Furthermore, some marginal machines operate satisfactorily until they are rerated, but then require mechanical upgrade. Other problems result from the use of poorly designed aftermarket or OEM parts. Some units can be optimized for future operational reliability while others can be analyzed for rapid solution of potential future problems. Various case histories relevant to design deficiencies of rotating machinery in operation are documented.