Passive Balancing of Rotor Systems Using Pendulum Balancers

Passive balancing techniques have received a great deal of attention in recent literature, with much of this work focused on ball balancer systems. However, for certain applications, balancing systems that use pendulums rather than rolling balls may offer distinctly improved balancing precision. This investigation seeks to provide additional insight into the performance and expected behavior of such systems. A simulation model is developed for a pendulum balancer system with isotropic supports and analyzed in detail. The influence of shaft location and friction on balancing effectiveness is considered and evaluated. In this regard, the dynamic characteristics of a pendulum balancer system are analyzed and compared to a similar ball balancer system. The conclusions and observations from the analysis and simulation studies are demonstrated and tested in a series of experimental studies.