Optimization Method of Bearing Support Positions in a High-Speed Flexible Rotor System

Bearing support position is one of main factors affecting vibration characteristics of rotor systems. To optimize the bearing support positions in a high-speed flexible rotor system (HSFRS) based on the vibration characteristics, an optimization method of bearing support positions in the HSFRS is proposed. In this method, a finite element (FE) model of a high-speed flexible rotor (HSFR) was established. The natural frequencies and mode shapes of the HSFRS were used to obtain the initial design scheme of the bearing support positions. A frequency characteristic equation of the HSFRS was established to obtain the critical speeds of the HSFRS. And a dynamic model of the HSFRS was established to analyze the vibration characteristics for different bearing support position cases. The problem of optimizing bearing support positions in the HSFRS was solved by the developed method. The results showed that vibration amplitudes of the HSFRS were more stable when the bearing support positions were optimized. This study can provide a new method for optimizing bearing support positions of rotor systems.