Tribology
Group 
Rotordynamics
Laboratory
Turbomachinery
Laboratory – Texas
A&M University
Contact Information: Lsanandres@tamu.edu
Phone: (979) 862 4744, (979) 845 0160 Fax: (979) 845 6382
The Tribology Group/Rotordynamics
Laboratory is one of the most active and well equipped research groups in the
Turbomachinery Program at
In the
field of Tribology (friction,
lubrication and wear) research focuses on
experimentally verified computational film flow models for the
prediction of the static and dynamic force response of fluid film bearings; in
particular hydrostatic bearings, tilting pad bearings, annular pressure seals,
squeeze film dampers, floating ring bearings, and gas damper bearings and
seals.
In the Rotordynamics field, research deals with the
measurement and prediction of the dynamic lateral vibration characteristics of
turbomachinery, encompassing both the traditional aspects of rotordynamics analysis
and investigations into the fluid film-structure interaction forces that
influence rotordynamics, with a major emphasis in fluid film dampers and gas
bearings.
Annual Progress
Reports
Download short
reports describing major achievements, publications and funding
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 (pdf format)
Slide show: Lecture on metal
mesh foil bearings at EPN (July 2009) Quito-Ecuador
Slide show: ISCORMA
-2008 Plenary Lecture on Gas bearings at TAMU
Slide shows
for paper presentations (2009)
Slide shows for TRC funded projects (May 09)
|
Tech Report |
Title |
|
|
|
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DYNAMIC RESPONSE OF A ROTOR-AIR BEARING SYSTEM DUE
TO BASE INDUCED PERIODIC MOTIONS |
|
|
Measurements of Rotordynamic Performance
in a Hot Rotor-Gas Foil Bearing System |
|
|
Measurement of Bearing Drag Torque,
Lift-Off Speed and Identification of Structural Stiffness and Damping in a
Metal Mesh Foil Bearing |
Slide shows for TRC funded
projects (May 08)
|
Tech Report |
Title |
|
|
|
|
Dynamic Performance
of a Squeeze Film Damper with Non-Circular Motions: Multi-Frequency
Excitations Reproducing Multi-Spool Engine Operating Conditions |
|
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A Novel FE Lubrication Model for Improved Predictions of
Force Coefficients in Off-Centered Grooved Oil Seals |
|
|
Dynamic Forced Response of a Rotor-Hybrid
Gas Bearing System due to Intermittent Shocks |
|
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Thermohydrodynamic Analysis
of Bump Type Gas Foil Bearings: Model and Predictions & Rotordynamic Measurements on a High Temperature Rotor
Supported on Gas Foil Bearings |
|
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Development of a Test Rig for Metal Mesh Foil Gas Bearing and
Measurements of Structural Stiffness and Damping in a Metal Mesh Bearing |
|
|
The Effect of (Nonlinear) Pivot Stiffness on Tilting Pad
Bearing Dynamic Force Coefficients |
|
|
Simplified
Thermohydrodynamic Analysis of (rigid geometry) Journal Bearings |
GOALS
To provide an
advanced education in the fields of fluid film lubrication and rotordynamics
Our goal is to provide both
graduate and undergraduate students with an in-depth education on the
fundamental aspects of fluid film bearing technology and dynamics of high speed
rotating machinery. Our current research covers a wide spectrum of novel
bearing and seal applications and rotordynamics addressing to current and
future industrial needs
To develop advanced
analytical and computational tools for the analysis and design of process fluid
film bearings
The trends in turbomachinery demand
the largest output power to weight ratios and require flexible mechanical
rotating components able to operate at increased speeds, temperatures and
pressure differentials. Best efficiency and compactness can only be achieved
with the effective use of the process liquid or gas as the lubricant in the support
bearings
To procure experimental measurements of the static and
dynamic force performance of fluid film bearings and squeeze film dampers for
industrial applications
Our experimental research
program on squeeze film dampers has an outstanding international reputation.
Major advances have resulted from the analysis and experimental verification of
the forced performance of squeeze film dampers due to the effects of feeding
grooves, fluid inertia and dynamic lubricant cavitation. The latest
experimental measurements provide fundamental understanding on the complex flow
mechanics of air ingestion and entrapment (bubbly lubricant mixtures) in the
dynamic performance of squeeze film dampers
To advance technologies for Oil-Free turbomachinery and
micro-turbomachinery
Current research focuses on the analysis and experimental verification of the
static and dynamic forced performance of gas bearings and seals for
applications in micro-turbomachinery (40 Kw-500 kW) and portable power hybrid
systems (SFOC & gas turbines).
Current
Projects 2006-2009
·
Research Experiences for Undergraduates: Development of
Microturbomachinery
http://reumicro.tamu.edu
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
(3 years) 2006-2009, REU#0552885
P.I: Dr. Wayne Hung (ENTC),
co-pi: Dr. Luis San Andrés
Objective: The
REU Summer Program funds 30 junior-level
students to conduct hand-on training and research in mechanical, manufacturing,
industrial, or materials engineering topics related to technological advances
in microturbomachinery. This program is part of a larger scale
multidisciplinary research project at TAMU to develop microturbines to enhance
defense, homeland security, transportation, and aerospace applications. Activities include a series of
informative seminars, field trips and social events to complement the research
activities while enhancing the group cohesiveness. Students will also sharpen
their communication skills through the writing of a research report and
presenting their research work to industry (TRC).
Excellent facilities and services, small size research teams,
exciting interdisciplinary topics, and staying in the intellectual city of
Ten and seven qualified UGS
participated in Summer 2007 & 2008, respectively. A
total of seven students worked with Tribology Group students. Read conference paper
ASME GT2009-59920. Thirteen students initiated research in June 2009.
Download posters prepared by UG-REU
students, Summer 2008
Rotordynamics
Foil Bearings TESTS (Alex Martinez)
Rotordynamics
Foil Bearings ANALYSIS (Kat Hagen)
Metal Mesh
Foil Bearings (Brian Rice)
Foil Bearings
Manufacturing (Nick Niedbalski)
Download
posters prepared by UG-REU
students, Summer 2007
Gas Foil Bearings
(Alex Martinez)
Turbochargers (Adam
Wilson)
Gas Tilting Pad Bearings
(H. Suh)
·
Squeeze Film Damper – design & construction of test rig for
high frequency & high load
Objective: To assess novel SFD designs for aircraft applications.
Status: Test rig designed in 2008 (500 lbf dynamic force). Construction started in 2009.
Sponsor: Pratt & Whitney, TRC
·
Hybrid Brush Seals to Improve Gas Turbine Efficiency
Objective: Measurements of leakage, power loss and structural parameters in labyrinth seal, brush seal and hybrid brush seals for gas turbine applications
Status: High temperature (300 C) test rig operational. Comparisons of leakage measurements in labyrinth seal, brush seal, hybrid brush seal completed. Tests with novel HALO® seal in progress. Hybrid brush seals have 1/15 less leakage than labyrinth seal and 1/3 less than conventional brush seal.
Sponsor: Siemens Power Generation (2006-2009), Seals from Advanced Turbomachinery Group (ATG)
·
Foil Gas Bearings for Oil-Free Turbomachinery TRC-B&C-2-09
Objective: To quantify the structural and dynamic forced performance of bump type foil gas bearings for high temperature micro turbine applications
Status: Computational analysis complete to model thermal management of foil bearings. High temperature test rig (max 400 C) in operation: MiTi Korolon® bearings and Foster-Miller bearings. Cooperation with KIST Korean Institute of Science and Technology).
Sponsors: NSF (2004-2006), NaSA
GRC (2007-2009), TRC
·
Metal Mesh Foil Bearings for Microturbomachinery TRC-B&C-3-09
Objective: Further development of predictive models anchored to test data for prediction of mechanical parameters of metal mesh foil bearings.
Status: high speed ( 60 krpm) test rig completed. Measurements of bearing lift off and drag torque during start up and shut down obtained.
Sponsor: TRC, test rig donated by Honeywell
Turbocharging Technologies
·
Gas Bearings for Oil-Free
Turbomachinery TRC-B&C-1-09
Objective: To advance the technology of inexpensive reliable gas bearings for micro gas turbines and micro power systems
Status: Demonstrated reliability of hybrid gas bearings to intermittent shocks and shaker induced excitations into base of test rotor-bearing system.
Sponsors: TRC (Turbomachinery Research Consortium)
RECENTLY ENDED
PROJECTS
·
Dynamic Force Performance of Squeeze Film Dampers
Sponsor: TRC 2004-2008
Objective: To assess effect of mechanical end seal on dynamic forced performance
of a test SFD.
Status: Test rig accommodates a SFD with a (non rotating)
mechanical seal that adds dry friction to system while containing lubricant for
extended periods of time and without side leakage. Seal design most successful
to avoid air ingestion and entrapment. Structural, dry-friction parameter of
mechanical seal and squeeze film damper damping and inertia coefficients
identified from single frequency load tests forcing unidirectional and circular
centered orbits. Predicted SFD force coefficients agree well with measured
ones.
·
Nonlinear Rotordynamics of Automotive Turbochargers: Computational
Analysis of Floating Ring Journal Bearings (FRBs) and
Experimental Validation in a Turbocharger Test Rig
Sponsor: Honeywell Turbo Technologies 2001-2008
Objective: To advance (experimentally validated) computational tools for
prediction of the dynamic forced response of turbocharger rotors supported on FRBs.
Status: Virtual Laboratory (computational software) is a production tool at
Honeywell. Research continues to model compressor and turbine aerodynamic
forces and more complex bearing geometries. Advice on foundation model to
·
CLIN 004 - Tool/Method Development of the
AFRL Upper Stage Technology Program (USET) Turbopump USET Development
Sponsor: Northrop Grumman 2005-2008
Objective: Experimental validation and enhancements of computational models for
prediction of dynamic forced performance of cryogenic liquid hydrostatic
bearings - USAF Upper Stage Engine Technology Program.
(a): To develop hydrostatic
bearing tool with capability for modeling the non-linear forced response of
fluid film bearing, i.e. bearing reaction forces (impedance models) as a
function of instantaneous journal position, velocity and acceleration
(b): Create capability for
modeling speed dependent non-linear operation in mixed flow regime (fluid and
solid contact), including prediction of lift-off speed
(c): Experimental
Study of Hydrostatic / Hydrodynamic Thrust Bearings: 25 krpm, 250 psi, 600 lbf, water bearings.
Personal interest:
·
On Site Identification of Bearing Parameters in
Flexible Rotor Systems
To develop procedures for practical on site reliable bearing parameter identification techniques
SPONSOR: none
Dr. Luis San
Andrés, Professor & Group Leader
ASME Fellow, STLE Fellow, Mast-Childs Tribology
Professorship
Dr.
San Andrés has an international reputation as a qualified analyst and
experimentalist in the fields of fluid film lubrication and rotordynamics. Dr.
San Andrés has managed research projects with a total value exceeding 6.2
million dollars. He directs a laboratory with an average of seven fully
supported research assistants per year. Dr. San Andrés has educated many
graduate students currently practicing their skills and providing services and
leadership to turbomachinery manufacturers. Dr. San Andrés and his students
have published extensively in the archival literature: 114 peer reviewed
papers, 47+39 reviewed and invited conference papers, 100+ technical reports.
Dr. San Andrés also holds five patents and the copyright for various
computational programs predicting the performance of liquid and gas hydrostatic
and hydrodynamic bearings, seals, and foil bearings.
Dr. San
Andrés has provided major advances to the technology of hybrid bearings
(hydrostatic / hydrodynamic) for applications in primary power space
turbopumps. The bearings investigated, both theoretically and experimentally,
include flexure-pivot tilting pad bearings, angled injection hybrid bearings
and foil-bearings. Current research interests include analysis of hybrid thrust
bearings and two-phase fluid seals for cryogenic applications, and high speed
gas face seals and bearings with enhanced damping characteristics.
The Tribology Group has developed
advanced and efficient computational models for the analysis and design of
process-fluid film bearings (hydrostatic and hydrodynamic), gas bearings
including foil bearings, gas damper and labyrinth seals, tilting pad bearings
and squeeze film dampers. The thermo hydrodynamic flow models account for fluid
inertia and variable properties, flow turbulence in exotic bearing geometries.
Applications to high-speed turbomachinery include cryogenic turbopumps,
aircraft jet engines, industrial compressors, etc. Users include Boeing-Rocketdyne, Pratt & Whitney,
Distinctions – Former Students
|
Name |
Society |
Distinction |
Contribution |
|
Deborah Osborne- Wilde |
ASME Tribology Division |
2004 Marshal Peterson Young
Investigator Award |
Gas Bearings and Seals |
|
Sergio Diaz |
ASME Tribology Division |
2003 Burt Newkirk Investigator
Award |
Squeeze Film Dampers |
|
Nicole Zirkelback |
|
1998 Outstanding Graduate Student
Award |
Gas Annular and Face Seals |
Several graduate and undergraduate students
have obtained STLE scholarships and fellowships
2008 BEST Rotordynamics Paper Award – IGTI Structures and Dynamics Committee)
Kim, T. H., and San Andrés, L., 2009, “Effect of Side End Pressurization on the
Dynamic Performance of Gas Foil Bearings – A Model Anchored to Test Data,” ASME Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 131(1), pp. 012501. ( ASME Paper GT2008-50571)
Editor’s
Choice – Tribology & Lubrication Technology, June 2007, pp. 40-50.
De Santiago, O., and L., San Andrés,
2007, “Experimental Identification of Bearing Dynamic Force Coefficients in a
Flexible Rotor – Further Developments,” Tribology
Transactions, v. 50(1), p. 114-126.
2004 BEST Rotordynamics Paper Award – IGTI
Structures and Dynamics Committee)
Rubio, D., and
L. San Andrés, 2007, “Structural Stiffness, Dry-Friction Coefficient and
Equivalent Viscous Damping in a Bump-Type Foil Gas Bearing,” ASME Journal of
Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 129, pp. 494-502. (ASME Paper GT 2006-90873)
2003 Best Rotordynamics Paper Award (IGTI, Structures & Dynamics Committee)
Wilde, D.A.,
and San Andrés, L., 2006, “Experimental Response of Simple Gas Hybrid Bearings
for Oil-Free Turbomachinery,” ASME Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and
Power, 128, pp. 626-633. (ASME Paper
No. GT
2003-38833)
Favorite Links
Turbomachinery Research
Consortium
XLrotor a
commercial rotordynamics/bearing analysis package
rotordynamics.org,
a gateway to a collection of technical literature on rotordynamics.
Personal Interests
Roca Azul, the premier Latin Rock & Blues Band in the
PHN,
Professional Hispanic Network at TAMU
Last revised: July 16, 2009