The Simulation of Bearing Whirl on an Electronic-Analog Computer

Journal bearing whirl is simulated on an electronic-analog computer and typical whirl paths of the journal center are presented as obtained from the computer and recorded on an x-y plotter. Transient and steady-state paths of the journal of a rigid rotor are shown. Families of steady paths indicate the changes in orbital size of whirl from nearly zero to very large as influenced by load, journal speed, journal mass, bearing diameter, bearing length, clearance, and viscosity.