Abstract:
In an industry, rotor-to-stator or rotor-to-guide rubbing is a very common problem. The contact
(rub and impact) between rotor and guide creates excessive vibration which may even lead to the
permanent damage of a mechanical system. Therefore, considering this extremely important
scenario, this research work identifies the characteristic of rubbing phenomena in rotating
machineries by simulation and experiment. To minimize rubbing, both the circular and lemon
type backup bearing have been considered in this work. First the mathematical models for both
these types of bearings are analyzed. Then the models are simulated in MATLAB SIMULINK.
Simulation results are discussed elaborately for different clearances between the shaft and the
backup bearing and initial conditions. These results are then validated by the experimental
results. Although it is obvious from this research that circular backup bearing is efficient in
minimizing the excessive vibration, but the rubbing between rotor and guide is still present
which eventually damages the system. So, this work gives the priority to implement the lemon
type backup bearing as the results show that lemon type backup bearing works certainly better in
minimizing the rubbing between rotor and guide than the circular backup bearing.
