A Study on the Hysteresis Characteristics of Shaft Coupling and the Nonlinear Torsional Vibration of a Rotor System

Abstract

Excessively large transient torsional vibration is induced on the rotor system of modern large turbine-generators. This paper reveals that the coupling connecting the adjacent rotors acts as a hysteresis damper, and discusses the effect. First, a model is presented for the damping mechanism of typical shaft coupling. Second, the time-dependent nonlinear transient torsional vibration of the rotor system is investigated, using this model. Third, an improved coupling of higher damping capacity is introduced and investigated in the same way. Thus, the proper direction of the optimal design of coupling is clearly specified. © 1992, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers. All rights reserved.