A Numerical Study of Squeeze Film Dampers

Squeeze film dampers (SFDs) are used in the high speed turbomachinery industry as a means to reduce vibration amplitude, provide damping, and improve dynamic stability of the rotor bearing system. Past numerical studies analyzing SFDs, have been computationally expensive and time consuming. The present study investigates the feasibility of applying a steady state solver to obtain computational efficiency while ensuring that the parameters of interest are captured. This is done via the application of the Moving Reference Frame (MRF) solver in ANSYS® Fluent. A steady state solver in an absolute frame of reference was used to produce whirling motion of the rotor. The results are validated by comparison to the experimental data of Delgado [1]. The numerical model shows good agreement with these results.