Abstract
A rotordynamic analysis is performed with a motor-bull gear rotor system supported on two partial bearings, which is intended to drive a high-speed turbo-chiller compressor impeller shaft through its built-in pinion gear. The motor-bull gear rotor system has a rated speed of 3,600 rpm, and is modeled utilizing the finite element method for analysis. As loadings on the bearings due to the gear action are significant in the system considered, each resultant bearing load is calculated statically by considering the generalized forces of the gear action as well as the rotor itself. The two support partial bearings are designed to take their varying loads along with their varying load angles, and they are also analyzed to give their rotordynamic coefficients. Then, a complex rotordynamic analysis of the motor-bull gear rotor-bearing system is carried out to evaluate its whirl natural frequencies and mode shapes and unbalance responses under various loading conditions. Results show that the bearings and entire rotor system are well designed regradless of operating conditions, i.e., loads and operating speeds.