Self-pressurized squeeze film damper

A fluid damping structure comprising:

• a first annular element having an outer radial surface;
• a second annular element having an inner radial surface;
• a first inner seal disposed radially between and engaged with both the first annular element and the second annular element;
• a second inner seal disposed radially between and engaged with both the first annular element and the second annular element;
• a first outer seal forming a sealing interface between the first annular element and the second annular element, wherein the first outer seal is disposed radially outward from at least one of the first and second inner seals;
• a damping chamber defined by the first annular element, the second annular element, the first inner seal, and the second inner seal;
• a supply plenum disposed contiguous with an axial side of the damping chamber, wherein the supply plenum extends from the second inner seal to the first outer seal;
• a fill port in fluid communication with the supply plenum and a source configured to supply a damping fluid;
• a plurality of fluid passages disposed in the first annular element;
• and
• wherein the fluid damping structure is configured such that one or more of the fluid passages is disposed in an open configuration when a local damping fluid pressure within the damping chamber is less than a local damping fluid pressure in an adjacent region of the supply plenum, and the one or more of the fluid passages is disposed in a closed configuration when the local damping fluid pressure within the damping chamber is greater than the local damping fluid pressure in the adjacent region of the supply plenum.