An improved reduced order model for bladed disks including multistage aeroelastic and structural coupling

To assess the influence of mistuning on the vibration amplitudes of turbo-machinery rotors, reduced order models (ROMs) are widely used. A variety of methods are available for single-stage configurations and mostly aero-elastic effects can be taken into account. More recent research focusses on extending these methods to include multiple stages. However, due to the significantly increased computational effort of the aeroelastic simulations when adding more stages to the models, these ROMs are rarely applied with the inclusion of multistage aeroelastic effects. It is therefore desirable to develop reduction methods which minimize the number of these simulations to reduce the computational cost and thereby enable analyses of rotors with multiple stages including aeroelastic effects. In this paper, a cyclic Craig-Bampton reduction method with an a priori interface reduction for multistage rotors is extended with an additional a posteriori interface reduction to reduce the number of aeroelastic simulations necessary for a given accuracy level of the ROM. The interface degrees of freedom between stages are reduced using a modified version of Characteristic Constraint Modes, to yield a more efficient representation of their displacements while retaining their monoharmonic nature. The method is applied to a two-stage axial compressor with full aeroelastic coupling between the stages and its reduced computational effort is demonstrated. Additionally, two sorting methods for the degrees of freedom (DOFs) of the ROM are compared

Operational Modal Analysis of an Axial Compressor Rotor and Casing System for the Online Identification of a Digital Twin

Modal parameter identification can be a valuable tool in mechanical engineering to predict vibrational behaviour and avoid machine damage during operation. Operational modal analysis is an output-only identification tool motivated by the structural identification of civil engineering structures, which are excited by ambient conditions. This technique is increasingly applied in mechanical engineering in order to characterise the system behaviour during operation as modal parameters can vary under operating conditions. The following study investigates the application of operational modal analysis on an axial compressor under operating conditions. Since the modal parameters of the system change depending on the life history and during the operation of the system, a corresponding data analysis might allow us to identify the present status of the system. Eigenfrequencies and eigenvectors are studied for the use of structural health monitoring approaches. According to the analysis, eigenfrequencies represent robust parameters for the studied purpose. Eigenvectors are sensitive to damages but need further investigation, especially for rotating machinery. This study will help the user to set up a virtual model, which describes the system behaviour for different boundary conditions. This in turn, will provide an accurate prediction of the vibrational behaviour in order to assure a safe operation

An ultrasonic levitation journal bearing able to control spindle center position

A novel active non-contact journal bearing based on squeeze film levitation is presented. Two qualities distinguish the proposed design from the previous ones: significantly improved load capacity and the ability of precision spindle position control. Theoretical models to calculate load carrying forces induced by squeeze film ultrasonic levitation are studied and validated by experimental results. Dynamic behavior of the ultrasonic transducer is investigated using electro-mechanical equivalent circuit model. Levitation forces generated by each transducer are individually controlled by a state feedback controller with auto-resonant (self-excited) frequency control. Active control of the spindle center position is achieved with positioning accuracy of the spindle center in the range of 100 nm. The load capacity achieved by the proposed bearing is dramatically improved compared to previously reported approaches

High-risk breast cancer surveillance with MRI: 10-year experience from the German consortium for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer

Purpose To report on 10 years of high-risk service screening with annual MRI in the German Consortium for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (GC-HBOC). Methods A cohort of 4,573 high-risk, previously unaffected women (954 BRCA1 carriers, 598 BRCA2 carriers, 3021 BRCA1/2 non-carriers) participating in the GC-HBOC surveillance program was prospectively followed. Screening outcomes for 14,142 screening rounds with MRI between 2006 and 2015 were analyzed and stratified by risk group, type of screening round, and age. Results A total of 221 primary breast cancers (185 invasive, 36 in situ) were diagnosed within 12 months of an annual screening round with MRI. Of all cancers, 84.5% (174/206, 15 unknown) were stage 0 or I. In BRCA1 carriers, 16.9% (10/59, 5 unknown) of all incident cancers (screen-detected and interval cancers combined) and in BRCA2 carriers 12.5% (3/24, 4 unknown) were stage IIA or higher, compared to only 4.8% (2/42, 2 unknown) in high-risk BRCA1/2 non-carriers. Program sensitivity was 89.6% (95% CI 84.9-93.0) with no significant differences in sensitivity between risk groups or by age. Specificity was significantly lower in the first screening round (84.6%, 95% CI 83.6-85.7) than in subsequent screening rounds (91.1%, 95% CI 90.6-91.7), p < 0.001. Cancer detection rates (CDRs) and as a result positive predictive values were strongly dependent on type of screening round, risk group and patient age. CDRs ranged from 43.5 (95% CI 29.8-62.9) for the first screening round in BRCA2 carriers to 2.9 parts per thousand (95% CI 1.3-6.3) for subsequent screening rounds in high-risk non-carriers in the age group 30 to 39 years. Conclusions High-risk screening with MRI was successfully implemented in the GC-HBOC with high sensitivity and specificity. Risk prediction and inclusion criteria in high-risk non-carriers need to be adjusted to improve CDRs and thus screening efficacy in these patients