New method of state analysis and diagnostics of power micro-devices

In the small scale, turbines and bearings are a source of specific problems connected with securing stable rotor operation. Two kinds of high-speed micro-turbines of electric power of about 3 KW with multistage axial and radial rotors supported on foil bearings have been accepted. The scope of the present article is limited to the discussion of the dynamic characteristics of the selected design. The properties of the rotor combined with slide bearings (foil bearings in this particular case) were taken under investigation. Analysing the dynamic state of the domestic power plants requires qualitatively novel research tools. It turned out that the situation is possible that the rotor, after losing its stability, stabilises again when the rotational speed increases. This is a phenomenon determined by the author as “multiple whirls.”