Torsional Vibration Analysis

 
Torsional Vibration Analysis is the analysis of the torsional dynamic behavior of a rotating shaft system as a result of forced vibration. Torsional vibration, or twisting, is different from lateral vibration, or shaking. A torsional system, compressor, driver, and coupling, are modeled as a mass-elastic system (inertia and stiffness) to predict stresses in each component. Mass-elastic properties of the system can be changed by adding a flywheel (additional inertia), using a soft coupling (change in stiffness), or by viscous damping (absorb natural frequency stimulation). Not all systems require any modification to the mass-elastic properties to achieve a torsionally sound system.
 
Ariel Corporation can provide the data for the compressor necessary to perform a torsional vibration analysis.  This includes the torque effort curves (torque versus crank angle), mass elastic data and fourier coefficients representing the torsional driving forces.  The torsional analysis is the responsibility of the Packager.
 
Care must be taken to represent the operating conditions the unit will see, including any partial load conditions.  Any single acting cylinder operation is important to include as these cases can represent the more dynamic torque effort curves.
 
When applying variations in speed and single acting cylinder configurations the torsional and acoustical response analysis will be much simplified by applying single acting configuration only at one given speed.
 
Capacity control sequencing can be very important when considering single acting operating cases.  Capacity control sequences are discussed within the Capacity and Load Control topic.  
 
 

Ariel Corporation Application Manual
7 March 2008