Squeeze film damper with low pressure reservoirs

A machine comprising:

• a static member;
• a whirling member positioned adjacent to the static member;
• and
• a squeeze film damper formed with the static member and the whirling member, wherein the squeeze film damper comprises:
• a gap between the static member and the whirling member;
• a pressurized oil reservoir formed in the gap between the static member and the whirling member;
• a first oil cavity formed in the whirling member on a first end of the pressurized oil reservoir, and wherein the whirling member forms a first sidewall and a second sidewall of the first oil cavity;
• a second oil cavity formed in the whirling member on a second end of the pressurized oil reservoir, and wherein the whirling member forms a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall of the second oil cavity;
• a first low pressure oil reservoir formed in the first oil cavity in the static member;
• and
• a second low pressure oil reservoir formed in the second oil cavity in the static member;
• a first primary seal positioned between the first end of the pressurized oil reservoir and the first low pressure oil reservoir;
• and
• a second primary seal positioned between the second end of the pressurized oil reservoir and the second low pressure oil reservoir.

A method comprising:

• supplying oil to a pressurized oil reservoir formed in a gap between a whirling member and a static member;
• supplying oil to a first low pressure oil reservoir positioned on a first end of the pressurized oil reservoir, wherein the first low pressure oil reservoir is formed in a first cavity, and wherein the whirling member forms a first sidewall and a second sidewall of the first cavity;
• supplying oil to a second low pressure reservoir positioned on a second end of the pressurized oil reservoir, wherein the second low pressure oil reservoir is formed in a second cavity, and wherein the whirling member forms a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall of the second cavity;
• positioning a first primary seal between the first end of the pressurized oil reservoir and the first low pressure oil reservoir;
• positioning a second primary seal between the second end of the pressurized oil reservoir and the second low pressure oil reservoir;
• whirling the whirling member about a center axis;
• and
• maintaining the oil pressure in the pressurized oil reservoir.