Experimental force response of a grooved squeeze film damper

The effects of a circumferential feeding groove on the dynamic force response of a squeeze film damper are determined experimentally. Open end and sealed damper configurations are tested for different groove depths, Journal orbit radii, whirl frequency and fluid viscosity conditions. Significant levels of dynamic pressures are measured at the groove in dampers with groove depth-to-clearance ratios equal to 5 and 10. These pressures affect considerably the dynamic forces of the dampers tested. Large tangential (damping) forces are produced at the circumferential groove which contribute significantly to the damping characteristics of the test articles. For uncavitated lubricant conditions, radial forces of substantial magnitude are determined at the groove and at the thin film land where the squeeze film Reynolds numbers are typically less than 1.