Three-Dimensional Thermohydrodynamic Morton Effect Analysis—Part II: Parametric Studies

This paper presents simulation results corresponding with the theoretical Morton effect model explained in Part I, where the 3D finite element models of bearing, shaft, and fluid film are adopted. In addition, it explains how thermal bow induced imbalance force develops in the spinning journal with time and how the vibration level is affected by the thermal bow vector. Shaft asymmetric thermal expansion induced by nonuniform journal heating is simulated, which is one of the unique contributions of this research. The effect of changes in: (1) thermal boundary condition around the pad, (2) lubricant supply temperature, (3) initial mechanical imbalance, (4) pivot stiffness, (5) film clearance, and (6) pad material are studied. Cooling the pad and the lubricant, using a pad with a low thermal expansion coefficient, soft pivot, and reducing the initial imbalance are found to be the best remedies for the thermal induced synchronous rotor instability problem.