Dynamics of a hydropower generator subjected to unbalanced magnetic pull

Eccentricity leading to unbalanced magnetic pull (UMP) in electrical machines is a significant concern in industry. The UMP is known to be composed of two components: a radial component and a tangential one. Models that are used in industry tend to include the radial component alone. In this article, a Jeffcott rotor model together with a new UMP model that incorporates both radial and tangential UMP constituents is studied for an industrial hydropower generator. Characterizing the UMP as springs permits the model to inherit UMP stiffness contribution. Interesting dynamics are observed with the new model for a wide range of external forcing frequencies. It is shown firstly that the new UMP model is sensitive to forcing frequency in the rotor movements. Secondly, it is found that this sensitivity to forcing frequency increases with decreasing rotor system stiffness. Moreover, quasi-periodic motion in the rotor displacements is observed and it is noted that the rotor does not need to be forced by frequencies above its critical speed for this less desirable motion to occur. Thus, it becomes interesting to be able to account for the UMP stiffness contribution in order to curb machine malfunction which might result from these UMP forces.