Oil Whirl

Oil whirl is a problem associated with sleeve type bearings. This vibration occurs only in machines
equipped with pressure lubricated sleeve bearings and operateing at relatively highspeed- normally above
the second critical speed of the rotor. Oil whirl vibration is often quite severe, but easily recognised
because the frequency is slightly less (5 - 8! than one half the rpm of the shaft.
The mechanism of oil whirl can be e"plained by referring to the diagram below.
#nder normal operation, the shaft of the machine will rise up the side of the bearing slightly. $ow far the
shaft will rise depends on shaft %&', rotor weight and oil pressure. The shaft, operating at an eccentric
position from the bearing centre, draws oil into a wedge to produce a pressurised load bearing film. (f the
eccentricity of the shaft within the bearing is increased from this normal operating position, say be
e"ternal shoc) or load transient, additional oil will immediately be pumped in to fill the space vacated by
the shaft thus increaseing the oil film supporting the shaft. This oil film may drive the shaft in a whirling
motion around the bearing. (f damping in the design is sufficient then the system will return to its original
position otherwise the whirling motion will continue.
lternately, a lightly loaded bearing may rise under normal conditions reducing the clearance
above the bearing to a point where an oil wedge forms forcing the shaft bac) down. (n doing so the
clearance is restored at the top of the bearing and the oil wedge fails removing the downward pressure.
*team Turbine bearings are susceptible to oil whirl as they tend to have larger than normal clearances to
allow for high oil flows for cooling
Causes
Normally associated with poor bearing design, . Other problems are
excessive bearing wear
increase in lube oil pressure
Change of oil viscosity
External excitation caused by a transmitted in vibration at the natural oil whirl frequency.
Temporary Remedies
Temporary remedies include
Changing oil temerpature or viscosity
ncrease bearing loading by introducing slight misalignement or imbalance
!crapping the sides of the bearing or grooving the bearing surface to disrupt the lubricant
wedge
Improved Bearing Design
*horter bearings increase the bearing load which can help prevent oil whirl
"emon #ip $esign
This is achieved by machining the two shells whilst shims are fitted between the faces
Tilting #ad%mitchell type
+ thermocouplwe is fitted to the lowest pad
&rooved
,oss of bearing material means reduction in load carrying capacity
Nut Crac'er
Camella
-ormed by boring non-concentric circular bearing surfaces in a bearing allowing th eformation of three
wedges whilst maintaining the correct bearing clearance