Optimal design and realization of active magnetic damper for lateral rotor vibrations

Background: In rotating machinery, rotor imbalance and self-excited vibrations can lead to excessive levels of radial displacements. Many high-speed rotors operate supercritically where vibration damping is necessary while passing through the critical speeds. Although passive techniques such as squeeze film dampers have been used extensively to dampen such vibrations, active vibration damping addresses the performance limits of passive damping. In this project, we will design, optimize, and experimentally demonstrate an active magnetic damper (AMD) on an existing rotor test rig.
 
Project Scope: The main aspects of the project include the following:

• The rotordynamic response of a rotor with discs will be predicted via MATLAB/Octave finiteelement rotordynamic codes.
• Analytical as well as finite-element models (using COMSOL/ANSYS) of the active magnetic damper and rotor system will be constructed.
• An optimization problem will be formulated for a compact and efficient AMD-rotor system.
• An optimal design will be experimentally demonstrated on an existing rotor test rig.

Learning Outcomes: 

• In-depth understanding of finite-element codes and models for rotor systems and magnetic actuators.
• Implementation of optimization scheme based on genetic and surrogate-assisted algorithms.
• Hands-on experience in data acquisition through accelerometers and displacement sensors.
• Exposure to the design and implementation of control systems using LabVIEW and National Instruments data acquisition cards.

Suggested Reading:

1. Zaccardo, V. M., & Buckner, G. D. (2021). Active magnetic dampers for controlling lateral rotors vibration in high-speed rotating shafts. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 152, 107445.
2. Kasarda, M. E., Mendoza, H., Kirk, R. G., & Wicks, A. (2004). Reduction of subsynchronous vibrations in a single-disk rotor using an active magnetic damper. Mechanics Research Communications, 31(6), 689-695.
3. Vashisht, R. K. (2023). Vibration control of flexible rotors using a passive magnetic device working on the principle of electromagnetic shunt damping. Mechatronics, 90, 102931.