A gas-controlled organ-like elastic foil thrust bearing

Abstract

An accordion-like elastic foil thrust bearing with controllable air supply comprises: a bearing housing (1), an accordion-like elastic element (2), a flat foil (3), and a bionic muscle pneumatic switch (4). The bearing housing (1) includes a "T"-shaped mounting groove (1-1), an air supply through hole (1-2), a trapezoidal boss (1-3), and a bionic muscle pneumatic switch seat (1-4). The accordion-like elastic element (2) includes an accordion-like elastic element air supply through hole (2-1), an accordion-like foil (2-2), a mounting plane (2-3), and a mounting buckle (2-4). The flat foil (3) includes a foil plane (3-1) and a foil mounting buckle (3-2). The bionic muscle pneumatic switch (4) includes a spring (4-1), an annular rubber sleeve (4-2), and a seal (4-3). The bionic muscle air supply through-hole (4-4) and fixed end (4-5) are characterized in that: the "T" shaped mounting groove (1-1) and trapezoidal boss (1-3) are evenly distributed circumferentially on the bearing seat (1); the air supply through-hole (1-2) is evenly distributed radially on the trapezoidal boss (1-3); the bionic muscle pneumatic switch seat (1-4) is located at the outlet of the air supply through-hole (1-2); the accordion-like elastic element (2) is located on the trapezoidal boss (1-3); the accordion-like elastic element air supply through-hole (2-1) is evenly distributed radially on the accordion-like wave foil (2-2); the flat foil (3) is located on the accordion-like elastic element (2); and the bionic muscle pneumatic switch (4) is located inside the air supply through-hole (1-2) and the accordion-like elastic element air supply through-hole (2-1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of gas bearings, specifically relating to an accordion-like elastic foil thrust bearing with controllable gas supply. Background Technology

[0002] In precision equipment systems, foil thrust bearings occupy a crucial position, bearing indispensable axial loads and serving as core components ensuring stable support and smooth operation of the shaft system. Traditional foil thrust bearings possess a certain degree of structural rationality, providing corresponding load-bearing capacity through their predetermined construction, thus adapting to the basic support requirements of various equipment. However, with the continuous upgrading of industrial technology and the increasing complexity and variability of actual working conditions, existing foil thrust bearings have revealed their limitations. After processing and molding, the air supply system is fixed, making it impossible to flexibly adjust the air supply in real-time and precisely according to specific usage scenarios and the dynamic requirements of bearing performance. This significantly limits their adaptability and performance under diverse working conditions, making it difficult to meet increasingly stringent industrial operating standards and high-efficiency demands.

[0003] While foil thrust bearings are widely used, traditional types have relatively fixed air supply conditions, which are difficult to meet the needs of complex working conditions, limiting their application. The emerging pneumatic bionic muscle technology offers a new approach. Pneumatic bionic muscles made of rubber can deform and adjust their diameter by controlling the air intake. Combining these with foil thrust bearings allows for independent adjustment of the air supply to each air inlet, potentially expanding the application range of foil thrust bearings.

[0004] The bionic muscle pneumatic flow valve can be deformed by the air intake. The pneumatic bionic muscle made of rubber can adjust the diameter of the pneumatic bionic muscle by controlling the air intake, thereby adjusting the air supply of the foil thrust bearing and expanding the application range of the foil thrust bearing.

[0005] In existing technological fields involving gas film applications, such as high-precision measuring instruments and gas bearing systems in aerospace equipment, precise control of gas film thickness is crucial for the performance, stability, and reliability of the equipment. Traditional methods of gas film thickness adjustment often require complex external control systems and precision sensors, which not only increases the cost and complexity of the equipment but also makes it difficult to achieve real-time and accurate adjustment under certain special operating conditions. Therefore, developing a technology capable of adaptively adjusting gas film thickness has significant practical implications.

[0006] Organ-like elastic elements possess unique stretchability. These elements draw upon the structural and functional advantages of an organ, incorporating its flexible deformation mechanism into foil thrust bearing design. Through material selection and structural design, they can adapt their shape and mechanical properties to varying loads and speed fluctuations under different operating conditions. This dynamically adjusts the internal contact stress distribution, air film thickness, and stiffness characteristics of the bearing, expanding the application range of foil thrust bearings. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an accordion-like elastic foil thrust bearing with controllable air supply. By adjusting the expansion degree of the biomimetic muscle pneumatic flow valve in the air supply orifice, the size of the internal air space of the air supply orifice can be adjusted in real time, and the air supply volume of each air supply orifice can be independently controlled. Based on this, the air supply conditions of the foil thrust bearing can be flexibly adjusted according to the specific application scenario and actual working conditions of the bearing. Utilizing the high elasticity of the accordion-like elastic element, it can adaptively adjust based on principles such as gas dynamic pressure effect, elastic deformation, and energy dissipation, thereby changing the gas film thickness. During operation, as the rotor rotates, viscous gas enters the gap to form a gas film. Changes in gas film pressure cause the accordion-like elastic element to undergo elastic deformation, and the energy dissipation generated by friction stabilizes the gas film. These combined effects allow the accordion-like elastic element to dynamically adjust its own state, thereby precisely adjusting the gas film thickness to effectively meet the bearing requirements under various complex working conditions.

[0008] To achieve the objectives of this invention, the following technical solution is proposed: An accordion-like elastic foil thrust bearing with controllable air supply includes: a bearing housing 1, an accordion-like elastic element 2, a flat foil 3, and a biomimetic muscle pneumatic flow valve 4. The bearing housing 1 includes a T-shaped mounting groove 1-1, an air supply through hole 1-2, a trapezoidal boss 1-3, and a biomimetic muscle pneumatic flow valve seat 1-4. The accordion-like elastic element 2 includes an accordion-like elastic element air supply through hole 2-1, an accordion-like wave foil 2-2, a mounting plane 2-3, and a mounting clip. 2-4, the flat foil 3 includes a foil plane 3-1 and a foil mounting buckle 3-2; the bionic muscle pneumatic flow valve 4 includes a spring 4-1, an annular rubber sleeve 4-2, a seal 4-3, a pneumatic bionic muscle air supply hole 4-4, and a fixed end 4-5; the bearing seat 1, the flat foil 3, and the spring 4-1 are made of alloy material; the characteristic feature is that the "T"-shaped mounting groove 1-1 and the trapezoidal boss 1-3 are circumferentially and evenly distributed. The air supply holes 1-2 are evenly distributed radially on the trapezoidal boss 1-3. The biomimetic muscle pneumatic flow valve seat 1-4 is located at the outlet of the air supply holes 1-2. The accordion-like elastic element 2 is located above the trapezoidal boss 1-3. The mounting buckle 2-4 is installed in the "T"-shaped mounting groove 1-1. The accordion-like elastic element air supply holes 2-1 are evenly distributed radially on the accordion-like foil 2-2. The accordion-like elastic element 2 is made of a high elastic modulus composite material. The flat foil 3 is located above the accordion-like elastic element 2. The foil mounting buckle 3-2 is installed in the "T"-shaped mounting groove 1-1. The biomimetic muscle pneumatic flow valve 4 is located in the air supply holes 1-2 and the accordion-like elastic element air supply holes 2-1. The spring 4-1 is located in the annular rubber sleeve 4-2. The sealing element 4-3 is set at both ends of the annular rubber sleeve 4-2. The fixed end 4-5 is installed on the biomimetic muscle pneumatic flow valve seat 1-4.

[0009] Furthermore, the annular rubber sleeve 4-2 and the seal 4-3 are made of rubber material.

[0010] Furthermore, the diameter of the annular rubber sleeve 4-2 is less than 50% of the diameter of the air supply hole 1-2.

[0011] The accordion-like elastic element 2 adopts the characteristics of an accordion bellows structure, mimicking the expansion and contraction principle of an accordion bellows, and has self-adjusting capability. The accordion-like elastic element 2 is made of composite material with high elastic modulus and good wear resistance, which not only ensures appropriate deformation and structural stability under stress, but also extends service life and improves reliability. The biomimetic muscle pneumatic flow valve 4 simulates the contraction and relaxation mechanism of biological muscles, which can accurately respond to changes in external air supply and precisely adjust the mechanical output. In the air supply control of the foil thrust bearing, the external air supply through the pneumatic biomimetic muscle air supply through-hole 4-4 controls the expansion of the annular rubber sleeve 4-2, with the spring 4-1 providing internal support. Then, the internal space size is adjusted by controlling the degree of expansion of the annular rubber sleeve 4-2 in the air supply through-hole 1-2. Finally, the gas enters from the air supply through-hole 1-2 and flows out from the air supply through-hole 2-1 of the accordion-like elastic element to generate a stable air film, which effectively improves the stability and load-bearing capacity of the bearing and can adapt to complex working environments and operating conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the present invention; Figure 3 The bearing housing of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a partial enlarged view of the bearing housing of the present invention; Figure 5 This invention relates to an organ-like elastic element; Figure 6 The flat foil of this invention; Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the biomimetic muscle pneumatic flow valve of the present invention.

[0013] 1. Bearing housing; 2. Bellows elastic element; 3. Flat foil; 4. Bionic muscle pneumatic flow valve; 1-1 "T" shaped mounting groove; 1-2 Air supply hole; 1-3 Trapezoidal boss; 1-4 Bionic muscle pneumatic flow valve seat; 2-1 Bellows elastic element air supply hole; 2-2 Bellows wave foil; 2-3 Mounting plane; 2-4 Mounting buckle; 3-1 Foil plane; 3-2 Foil mounting buckle; 4-1 Spring; 4-2 Annular rubber sleeve; 4-3 Seal; 4-4 Pneumatic bionic muscle air supply hole; 4-5 Fixed end. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to unduly limit the present invention.

[0015] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0016] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0017] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "below," "under," "on the lower surface," "below," "lower end," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation beyond the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were inverted, a device described as "below" or "under" other devices or structures would later be positioned as "above" or "on top of" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways, rotated 90 degrees, or in other orientations, and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0018] Reference Figures 1-7 .

[0019] An accordion-like elastic foil thrust bearing with controllable air supply includes: a bearing housing 1, an accordion-like elastic element 2, a flat foil 3, and a biomimetic muscle pneumatic flow valve 4. The bearing housing 1 includes a T-shaped mounting groove 1-1, an air supply through hole 1-2, a trapezoidal boss 1-3, and a biomimetic muscle pneumatic flow valve seat 1-4. The accordion-like elastic element 2 includes an accordion-like elastic element air supply through hole 2-1, an accordion-like wave foil 2-2, a mounting plane 2-3, and a mounting clip. 2-4, the flat foil 3 includes a foil plane 3-1 and a foil mounting buckle 3-2; the bionic muscle pneumatic flow valve 4 includes a spring 4-1, an annular rubber sleeve 4-2, a seal 4-3, a pneumatic bionic muscle air supply hole 4-4, and a fixed end 4-5; the bearing seat 1, the flat foil 3, and the spring 4-1 are made of alloy material; the characteristic feature is that the "T"-shaped mounting groove 1-1 and the trapezoidal boss 1-3 are circumferentially and evenly distributed. The air supply holes 1-2 are evenly distributed radially on the trapezoidal boss 1-3. The biomimetic muscle pneumatic flow valve seat 1-4 is located at the outlet of the air supply holes 1-2. The accordion-like elastic element 2 is located above the trapezoidal boss 1-3. The mounting buckle 2-4 is installed in the "T"-shaped mounting groove 1-1. The accordion-like elastic element air supply holes 2-1 are evenly distributed radially on the accordion-like foil 2-2. The accordion-like elastic element 2 is made of a high elastic modulus composite material. The flat foil 3 is located above the accordion-like elastic element 2. The foil mounting buckle 3-2 is installed in the "T"-shaped mounting groove 1-1. The biomimetic muscle pneumatic flow valve 4 is located in the air supply holes 1-2 and the accordion-like elastic element air supply holes 2-1. The spring 4-1 is located in the annular rubber sleeve 4-2. The sealing element 4-3 is set at both ends of the annular rubber sleeve 4-2. The fixed end 4-5 is installed on the biomimetic muscle pneumatic flow valve seat 1-4.

[0020] Furthermore, the annular rubber sleeve 4-2 and the seal 4-3 are made of rubber material.

[0021] Furthermore, the diameter of the annular rubber sleeve 4-2 is less than 50% of the diameter of the air supply hole 1-2.

[0022] Compared with foil thrust bearings, the technical solution of this application has an accordion-like elastic foil thrust bearing with controllable air supply. According to specific applications and working conditions, the air supply volume of each air supply hole of the bearing can be independently adjusted, so that the foil thrust bearing has good load-bearing capacity and stability.

[0023] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An accordion-like elastic foil thrust bearing with controllable air supply, comprising: The bearing housing (1), the accordion-like elastic element (2), the flat foil (3), and the biomimetic muscle pneumatic flow valve (4) are described. The bearing housing (1) includes a "T"-shaped mounting groove (1-1), an air supply hole (1-2), a trapezoidal boss (1-3), and a biomimetic muscle pneumatic flow valve seat (1-4). The accordion-like elastic element (2) includes an accordion-like elastic element air supply hole (2-1), an accordion-like foil (2-2), a mounting plane (2-3), and a mounting buckle (2-4). The flat foil (3) includes a foil flat... The bionic muscle pneumatic flow valve (4) includes a spring (4-1), an annular rubber sleeve (4-2), a seal (4-3), a pneumatic bionic muscle air supply hole (4-4), and a fixed end (4-5). The bearing seat (1), flat foil (3), and spring (4-1) are made of alloy material. The "T"-shaped mounting groove (1-1) and trapezoidal boss (1-3) are evenly distributed circumferentially on the bearing seat (1). The air supply hole (1-4) is also provided. -2) The biomimetic muscle pneumatic flow valve seat (1-4) is located at the outlet of the air supply hole (1-2) and is evenly distributed radially on the trapezoidal boss (1-3). The organ-like elastic element (2) is located above the trapezoidal boss (1-3). The mounting buckle (2-4) is installed in the "T"-shaped mounting groove (1-1). The air supply hole (2-1) of the organ-like elastic element is evenly distributed radially on the organ-like corrugated foil (2-2). The organ-like elastic element (2) is made of a high elastic modulus composite material. The flat foil (3) is located above the accordion-like elastic element (2). The foil mounting buckle (3-2) is installed in the "T"-shaped mounting groove (1-1). The bionic muscle pneumatic flow valve (4) is located in the air supply hole (1-2) and the air supply hole (2-1) of the accordion-like elastic element. The spring (4-1) is located in the annular rubber sleeve (4-2). The sealing element (4-3) is set at both ends of the annular rubber sleeve (4-2). The fixed end (4-5) is installed on the bionic muscle pneumatic flow valve seat (1-4).

2. The accordion-like elastic foil thrust bearing with controllable air supply according to claim 1, characterized in that: The annular rubber sleeve (4-2) and the seal (4-3) are made of rubber material.

3. The accordion-like elastic foil thrust bearing with controllable air supply according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diameter of the annular rubber sleeve (4-2) is less than 50% of the diameter of the air supply hole (1-2).

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