Traveling Wave Excitation: A Method to Produce Consistent Experimental Results

This paper describes the experimental framework to establish consistent, repeatable results associated with a traveling wave excitation system. The experiment is employed to ascertain the forced response and mistuning patterns for rotors. Several items attributing to existing experimental inconsistencies were identified and their effects were realized during this research. These experimental items were signal input locations, response measurement locations, and rotor alignment position. Accounting for these experimental variables, this paper develops a process which enables consistent rotor forced response results, independent of its orientation on the test stand.