Dynamic force and torque characteristic of annular gaps -- Simulation results and evaluation of the relevance of the tilt and torque coefficients

TL;DR

This paper presents a new simulation method to analyze the dynamic force and torque characteristics of annular gaps with axial flow, evaluating the importance of tilt and torque coefficients through extensive parameter studies.

Contribution

A novel simulation approach combining a perturbed integro-differential method with power-law velocity profiles and Hirs' model, addressing gaps in understanding of annular gap dynamics.

Findings

Hydraulic tilt and torque coefficients may be significant depending on parameters.

Effective stiffness varies with annulus length and flow conditions.

Simulation results highlight the influence of eccentric operation and pre-swirl.

Abstract

We discuss the dynamic force and torque characteristic of annular gaps resulting from an axial flow component. First, the rotordynamic influence of annular gaps with an axial flow component is recapitulated. So far there is a severe lack of understanding the dynamic force and torque characteristic of annular gaps. Second, a new simulation method is presented, using a perturbed integro-differential approach in combination with power-law ansatz functions for the velocity profiles and a Hirs' model to calculate the dynamic force and torque characteristics. Third, an extensive parameter study is carried out. To evaluate whether or not the hydraulic tilt and torque coefficients need to be taken into account, an effective stiffness is defined and the influence of the annulus length, an eccentrically operated shaft, the centre of rotation, a modified Reynolds number, the flow number and the pre-swirl is investigated.