Vibration interaction in a multiple flywheel system

This paper investigates vibration interaction in a multiple flywheel system. Flywheels can be used for kinetic energy storage in a satellite Integrated Power and Attitude Control System (IPACS). One hitherto unstudied problem with IPACS is vibration interaction between multiple unbalanced wheels. This paper uses a linear state-space dynamics model to study the impact of vibration interaction. Specifically, imbalance-induced vibration inputs in one flywheel rotor are used to cause a resonant whirling vibration in another rotor. Extra-synchronous resonant vibrations are shown to exist, but with damping modeled the effect is minimal. Vibration is most severe when both rotors are spinning in the same direction.