The Effect of Oil Supply and Sealing Arrangements on the Performance of Squeeze-Film Dampers: An Experimental Study

This paper compares the effects on the damping capacity of a squeeze-film damper of (a) changing the number of oil-feed holes to the central circumferential oil supply groove, (b) changing the sealing arrangement from end-seals to piston-ring seals, and (c) changing the position of the circumferential supply groove. The conclusions are that much improved damping performance is achieved by the piston-ring sealed arrangement. Unlike the end-sealed arrangement it is very little adversely influenced by a reduction in the number of oil-feed holes. The damping offered by either sealing arrangement is influenced only marginally by repositioning the supply groove.