Model-based simulation of an oil-whip phenomenon occurred in a journal bearing of a power unit generator

This paper shows the results of an investigation performed with a nonlinear model of a power unit generator, composed of rotor and oil-film journal bearings, whose purpose is to simulate a subsynchronous whirling of the shaft. This study has shown that abnormal changes in the machine-train alignment were able to force the journal average position to move to a critical area of the bearing where destabilizing forces may be generated. The rotor system sensitivity to oil-whip phenomena due to changes in the machine alignment has been investigated. Comparisons between experimental data and numerical results are shown.