Abstract

Rotordynamics is one of those topics within mechanical engineering dynamics and control that is often seen as a rather specialist topic. One has to worry about multi-physics, multiple co-ordinate systems, non-normal mass and stiffness matrices due to gyroscopic and other effects, large transfers of energy between rotational and lateral degrees of freedom and the experimental challenging of monitor vibrations across the rotor-stator barrier. In this talk I shall survey several areas of research in the fundamental nonlinear dynamics of rotating mechanical systems. In particular, I shall discuss work on dynamic autobalancer mechanisms and on the dynamics of intermittent rub or contact. Finally, I shall discuss work with a novel Cambridge-based SME , Faraday Predictive, who use model-based current and voltage analysis for remote condition monitoring of rotational machines. Much of this work is in collaboration with Mike Friswell and Alex Shaw at the Univeristy of Swansea.