Abstract: A squeeze film damper assembly for a compressor includes a damper sleeve configured to be disposed about a rotor shaft of the compressor. The damper sleeve includes a pressure dam pocket formed in an inner circumference of the damper sleeve. The pressure dam pocket is configured to receive a flow of lubricant and to pressurize the flow of lubricant via rotation of the rotor shaft. The damper sleeve includes an outlet passage extending from the pressure dam pocket to an outer circumference of the damper sleeve. The squeeze film damper assembly also includes a bearing housing disposed about the damper sleeve to form a damper gap extending between the outer circumference of the damper sleeve and the bearing housing. The damper gap is fluidly coupled to the outlet passage and is configured to receive the flow of lubricant from the pressure dam pocket.

Abstract: A squeeze film damper assembly for a compressor includes a damper sleeve configured to be disposed about a rotor shaft of the compressor. The damper sleeve includes a pressure dam pocket formed in an inner circumference of the damper sleeve. The pressure dam pocket is configured to receive a flow of lubricant and to pressurize the flow of lubricant via rotation of the rotor shaft. The damper sleeve includes an outlet passage extending from the pressure dam pocket to an outer circumference of the damper sleeve. The squeeze film damper assembly also includes a bearing housing disposed about the damper sleeve to form a damper gap extending between the outer circumference of the damper sleeve and the bearing housing. The damper gap is fluidly coupled to the outlet passage and is configured to receive the flow of lubricant from the pressure dam pocket.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a bearing load control system that includes a force application device configured to apply a force to a bearing of a compressor and a sensor configured to provide feedback indicative of an operating parameter of the compressor. The bearing load control system also includes a controller that is communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to determine an indication of a thrust force applied to the bearing based on the feedback indicative of the operating parameter. The controller is also configured to adjust the force application device to control the force applied to the bearing based at least in part on a control algorithm and the indication of the thrust force.

Abstract: A screw compressor utilizing radial and axial or thrust bearings to maintain the position of the rotors radially and axially and utilizing a damping fluid to dampen rotor vibrations. The damping fluid may conveniently be provided in the form of lubricant that is already used in the compressor to seal the clearances between the rotors and between the rotors and the cylinder during compression. The damping fluid is included in a squeeze film damper, arranged in a parallel arrangement with the radial or thrust bearings, which provides viscous damping to the rotor. The introduction of additional viscous damping such as may be provided by squeeze film dampers may result in significant reduction of compressor vibration regardless of the source of vibration.

Abstract: A screw compressor includes a housing having an inlet for receiving gas to be compressed by the compressor and an outlet for discharging pressurized compressed gas. A pair of meshing threaded rotors, each rotor having an axis and being rotatably received in the housing, each rotor having a first end near the inlet and a second end near the outlet. A bearing rotatably carrying each rotor about its axis and positioned near the first end and the second end of each rotor. A conduit formed in the housing in selectable fluid communication with at least one bearing and a force generating source from a pressurized fluid source, the force generating source selectably providing a force in a radial direction relative to the axis of the at least one bearing.

Abstract: A screw compressor includes a housing having an inlet for receiving gas to be compressed by the compressor and an outlet for discharging pressurized compressed gas. A pair of meshing threaded rotors, each rotor having an axis and being rotatably received in the housing, each rotor having a first end near the inlet and a second end near the outlet. A bearing rotatably carrying each rotor about its axis and positioned near the first end and the second end of each rotor. A conduit formed in the housing in selectable fluid communication with at least one bearing and a force generating source from a pressurized fluid source, the force generating source selectably providing a force in a radial direction relative to the axis of the at least one bearing.

Abstract: A screw compressor includes a housing having an inlet for receiving gas to be compressed by the compressor and an outlet for discharging pressurized compressed gas. A pair of meshing threaded rotors, each rotor having an axis and being rotatably received in the housing, each rotor having a first end near the inlet and a second end near the outlet. A bearing rotatably carrying each rotor about its axis and positioned near the first end and the second end of each rotor. A conduit formed in the housing in selectable fluid communication with at least one bearing and a force generating source from a pressurized fluid source, the force generating source selectably providing a force in a radial direction relative to the axis of the at least one bearing.

Abstract: A screw compressor utilizing radial and axial or thrust bearings to maintain the position of the rotors radially and axially and utilizing a damping fluid to dampen rotor vibrations. The damping fluid may conveniently be provided in the form of lubricant that is already used in the compressor to seal the clearances between the rotors and between the rotors and the cylinder during compression. The damping fluid is included in a squeeze film damper, arranged in a parallel arrangement with the radial or thrust bearings, which provides viscous damping to the rotor. The introduction of additional viscous damping such as may be provided by squeeze film dampers may result in significant reduction of compressor vibration regardless of the source of vibration.

Abstract: A screw compressor includes a housing having an inlet for receiving gas to be compressed by the compressor and an outlet for discharging pressurized compressed gas. A pair of meshing threaded rotors, each rotor having an axis and being rotatably received in the housing, each rotor having a first end near the inlet and a second end near the outlet. A bearing rotatably carrying each rotor about its axis and positioned near the first end and the second end of each rotor. A conduit formed in the housing in selectable fluid communication with at least one bearing and a force generating source from a pressurized fluid source, the force generating source selectably providing a force in a radial direction relative to the axis of the at least one bearing.