Balancing high-speed rotors at low speed using optimized parametric excitation and tuned nonlinear feedback

The paper presents an improved slow-speed mass balancing procedure capable of reducing high-speed related imbalance. Parametric excitation is used to project the small imbalance forces onto a chosen mode of vibration, corresponding to a high critical rotation speed. The method employs two kinds of parametric excitation leading to combination and principal parametric resonances. The former projects the imbalance forces onto a selected vibration mode, and the latter significantly amplifies the dynamic response due to imbalance. In addition to the parametric excitations, specially tuned nonlinear feedback forces are applied to limit the response to desired vibration levels and achieve a pseudo-linear behavior. In situ proper tuning of the nonlinear terms, and parametric excitations, enables to increase both amplification and sensitivity to the imbalance forces without having to compromise between the two. The latter includes digital, nonlinear feedback that enhances the sensitivity to imbalance forces, while limiting the level of vibration. This method allows to identify the projection of the imbalance on any desired mode, and therefore to cancel them by adding or removing mass. An experimental realization of the method validates the theory with good accuracy.