Parameter estimation of multi-mode rotor-bearing systems

Abstract

This paper presents a frequency-domain approach to the problem of estimating the linearized bearing coefficients that characterize both electromagnetic and oil-film bearings. The technique is capable of use with a rotor model of any degree of complexity supported by an arbitrary number of bearings, but the practical significance of using reduced-order rotor models is discussed. It is shown that the technique can also estimate the lumped spring stiffness coefficients in the rotor model without any measurements being required other than those used to estimate the bearing parameters.