Abstract
The vibrations of propeller shaft and the forces exerted on the bearing are investigated.
The theoretical investigation treats the lateral vibrations of shaft system that has many bearings including flexibly supported bearings. The elasticity of shaft, mass of shaft, innertia moment of propeller, bearing characteristics and bearing support flexibilities are considered. Bearing characteristics for inclined journal are calculated on the assumption of short bearing and half-Sommerfeld condition. For the system has many bearings, the calculation of equilibrium state needs iteration. Transfer matrix method is applied to calculate shaft amplitudes and bearing force amplitudes.
Experimental apparatus is made to simulate the propeller shaft system. It is composed of disk, shaft, journal bearings, etc. Electric magnets are used to excite the shaft system. Shaft amplitudes and bearing force amplitudes are measured.
Theoretical predictions of shaft amplitudes and bearing force amplitudes show good agreement with experimental measurements.
