Analysis on Nonlinear Dynamic Properties of Dual-Rotor System

In order to clarify the effects of support structure on a dual-rotor machine, a dynamic model is established which takes into consideration the contact force of ball bearing and the cubic stiffness of elastic support. Bearing clearance, Hertz contact between the ball and race and the varying compliance effect are included in the model of ball bearing. The system response is obtained through numerical integration method, and the vibration due to the periodic change of bearing stiffness is investigated. The motions of periodic, quasi-periodic and even chaotic are found when bearing clearance is used as control parameter to simulate the response of rotor system. The results reveal two typical routes to chaos: quasi-periodic bifurcation and intermittent bifurcation. Large cubic stiffness of elastic support may cause jump and hysteresis phenomena in resonance curve when rotors run at the critical-speed region. The modeling results acquired by numerical simulation will contribute to understanding and controlling of the nonlinear behaviors of the dual-rotor system.