Damping device for damping shaft vibration

A damping device for damping vibration of a shaft rotatable about an axis of rotation, the damping device defining a radial direction and an axial direction, the axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation, the damping device comprising:

• a bearing;
• a housing;
• a damper element, the housing and the damper element defining a cavity therebetween for receipt of a damping fluid, the cavity having a length along the axial direction;
• and
• a support arm comprising a horizontal component between the damper element and a portion of the bearing, and a vertical component that extends in the radial direction towards the housing, wherein the support arm is configured to provide uniform distribution of the damping fluid within the cavity,
• wherein the length of the cavity is curved away from the axis of rotation.

A method of damping vibration of a shaft, the method comprising:

• rotating the shaft about an axis of rotation;
• damping, via a damping device, axial vibration of the shaft;
• and
• damping, via the damping device, overturning moment of the shaft,
• wherein the damping device defines a radial direction and an axial direction, the axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation such that the shaft extends longitudinally along the axial direction,
• wherein the damping device comprises a bearing operatively coupled with the shaft, a housing, a damper element, the housing and the damper element defining a cavity therebetween for receipt of a damping fluid, the cavity having a curved shape, and a support arm comprising a horizontal component between the damper element and a portion of the bearing, and a vertical component that extends in the radial direction towards the housing, wherein the support arm is configured to provide uniform distribution of the damping fluid within the cavity,
• wherein the cavity is curved in a plane extending along the radial direction and the axial direction and including the axis of rotation.