Vibration Computation

Rotating machines appear everywhere in our daily lives. They range from high-tech machines such as jet engines and computer hard disk drives, to ordinary household appliances such as washing machines and refrigerator compressors. Every rotating machine consists of three major elements: a rotating part (rotor), a stationary part (stator or housing), and multiple bearings that connect the rotating and the stationary parts.

Rotating machine manufacturers need to know the effects of vibration on the rotating machines; however, commercially available software cannot calculate vibrational responses of rotating machines. Thus, the rotating machinery industry relies heavily on prototype testing, resulting in high development costs and long design cycles.

Technology Description

Researchers at the UW recently developed software that analyzes the vibrational behavior of any rotating machine with arbitrary shape and complexity. The software uses finite element analysis (FEA) to produce mathematical equations whose solutions predict the vibrational response.

Using this technology to predict vibrational response allows manufacturers to design rotators with more precision and a minimum of vibration. Improvements in the design of rotating machines will lead to a broader range of more cost-efficient machines.

Business Opportunity

This technology has applications in many industries. Companies that manufacture jet engines, centrifuges, hard disk drives, or any other form of rotating machine would benefit from this software. Accurate prediction of rotational vibration will lead to more precise design and will greatly improve the efficiency of rotating machines, decreasing their cost of manufacture.

The UW method can be integrated into current FEA software that measures other parameters.

Stage of Development

Refinements to the technology are in development.

Intellectual Property Position

Two patents have been submitted on this invention.

For more information about this technology contact:

Digital Ventures
University of Washington
Phone: (206) 616-3451
Email: license@u.washington.edu