Air bag protection device and protection method of thrust bearing oil injection lubrication system

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of sliding bearings, in particular to an air bag protection device and method for a thrust bearing oil injection lubricating system, and the air bag protection device comprises a thrust oil groove, a control assembly and an air bag assembly, the air bag assembly is arranged in the thrust oil groove in a communicating mode, and the control assembly is communicated with the air bag assembly and changes the size of the air bag assembly. In the expansion state, a thrust pad of the thrust bearing is in an infiltration and lubrication state; when the thrust bearing is in the contraction state, a thrust pad of the thrust bearing is in an oil injection lubrication state; the air bag assembly capable of being inflated and deflated is arranged in the thrust oil groove, inflation and deflation of the air bag are controlled by the control assembly according to the power supply state of the lubricating system, and therefore the liquid level of lubricating oil can rise and fall rapidly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of sliding bearings, and particularly relates to an airbag protection device and a protection method for a thrust bearing oil injection lubrication system. Background Art

[0002] The thrust bearing oil injection lubrication system is a high-energy-efficiency lubrication method, which plays an important role in reducing bearing wear, eliminating oil churning loss, saving lubricating oil consumption, and improving the operation efficiency of the unit.

[0003] Due to the characteristics of the oil injection lubrication form, in order to eliminate the oil churning loss, the liquid level of the lubricating oil in the thrust oil sump is below the thrust bearing pad. When the lubrication system loses power, the lubricating oil stops spraying. After the unit stops suddenly due to inertia and continues to rotate, at this time, the bearing pad is in a dry friction state, resulting in the situation of bearing pad burning.

[0004] At present, for the power-off protection measures of oil injection lubrication, the high-level oil tank protection is mostly adopted. However, the high-level oil tank usually needs to be installed at the upper part of the equipment, with a certain installation height. But there is no installation height condition at the site of the hydro-generator set, and the installation, commissioning, and maintenance of the high-level oil tank and its related pipelines all require a high technical level and cost. More importantly, the high-level oil tank method has the defects of slow oil replenishment reaction time, insufficient oil supply pressure, and slow oil replenishment speed after the lubrication system loses power.

[0005] In summary, the power-off protection measures for thrust bearing oil injection lubrication are important measures to avoid dry friction of the bearing pad after the lubrication system loses power and ensure the reliable operation of the generator set. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that the existing thrust bearing oil injection lubrication system cannot restore lubrication in time in case of power failure, resulting in dry friction or damage of the bearing pad. The purpose is to provide an airbag protection device and a protection method for a thrust bearing oil injection lubrication system, which realizes that when the lubrication system loses power, it can automatically switch to the soaking lubrication state, avoid dry friction of the bearing pad, and ensure the stable operation of the unit in case of emergency.

[0007] The present invention is realized by the following technical solutions:

[0008] An airbag protection device for a thrust bearing oil injection lubrication system includes: a thrust oil sump, a control assembly, and an airbag assembly. The thrust bearing and its oil injection lubrication system are both arranged inside the thrust oil sump. The airbag assembly is arranged in communication with the inside of the thrust oil sump. The control assembly is in communication with the airbag assembly and changes the volume of the airbag assembly;

[0009] When in the expanded state, the thrust bearing pad of the thrust bearing is in the soaking lubrication state;

[0010] When in the contracted state, the thrust pads of the thrust bearing are in the oil injection lubrication state.

[0011] Optionally, the number of the airbag assemblies is multiple, and they are distributed circumferentially along the thrust oil groove.

[0012] Specifically, the airbag assembly includes: an oil groove airbag and an airbag protective cover. The airbag protective cover is connected to the thrust oil groove. The oil groove airbag is arranged inside the airbag protective cover, and an oil drain hole communicating with the inside of the thrust oil groove is arranged on the airbag protective cover.

[0013] Optionally, multiple oil drain holes are arranged on both sides of the airbag protective cover.

[0014] Optionally, the top of the airbag protective cover is a whole shielding plate, and the shielding plate is arranged below the surface of the thrust bearing pad.

[0015] Specifically, the control assembly includes a gas generator. The gas generator is arranged outside the thrust oil groove, and the gas supply end of the gas generator is communicated with the oil groove airbag through a gas supply pipeline.

[0016] Furthermore, the control assembly further includes a pressure gauge and a pressure relief valve. Both the pressure gauge and the pressure relief valve are connected to the gas supply pipeline and are arranged outside the thrust oil groove.

[0017] Specifically, the control assembly further includes a storage battery and a power detection module. The power detection module is connected to the mains power supply end of the oil injection lubrication system, and the storage battery is connected to the gas generator through the power detection module.

[0018] Optionally, the gas supply end of the gas generator is detachably connected to the gas supply pipeline by a thread.

[0019] A protection method for the oil injection lubrication system of a thrust bearing, based on the airbag protection device as described above, the protection method includes:

[0020] The control assembly detects the working state of the oil injection lubrication system;

[0021] If it is detected that the oil injection lubrication system is powered off, the control assembly controls gas to enter the airbag assembly, so that the lubricating oil level in the thrust oil groove rises to make the thrust pads of the thrust bearing in the immersion lubrication state;

[0022] If it is detected that the oil injection lubrication system resumes power supply, the control assembly controls the airbag assembly to deflate, so that the lubricating oil level in the thrust oil groove drops to make the thrust pads of the thrust bearing in the oil injection lubrication state.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0024] The present invention realizes the rapid rise and fall of the lubricating oil level by arranging an airbag assembly that can be inflated and deflated in the thrust oil sump, and the control assembly controls the inflation and deflation of the airbag according to the power supply state of the lubrication system.

[0025] When the control assembly detects a power failure of the lubrication system, it quickly starts the gas generator to inflate the airbag assembly, so that the lubricating oil level rises above the thrust bearing in a short time, thereby realizing the rapid switching from oil injection lubrication to immersion lubrication, ensuring the continuous lubrication of the unit after the power failure of the lubrication system, and avoiding the risk of dry friction and burning of the bearing bush. After the power supply of the lubrication system is restored, the control airbag assembly deflates, so that the lubricating oil level drops below the thrust bearing, thus restoring the normal oil injection lubrication state and reducing the oil agitation loss. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description thereof, are used to explain the principles of the present invention. These drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention, and the drawings are included in this specification and form a part of this specification, and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an airbag protection device for an oil injection lubrication system of a thrust bearing according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the airbag protection cover according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the contracted state and expanded state of the oil sump airbag according to the present invention.

[0030] Reference numerals: 1 - gas generator, 2 - pressure gauge, 3 - storage battery, 4 - oil sump airbag, 5 - airbag protection cover, 6 - pressure relief valve; 7 - original cooler of the unit. Detailed Embodiments

[0031] To make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer and more understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments. It can be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the relevant content and do not limit the present invention.

[0032] In addition, it should be noted that for the convenience of description, only parts related to the present invention are shown in the drawings.

[0033] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified or limited, terms such as "installed", "connected", "linked", "fixed", etc. shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two components or the interaction relationship between two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0034] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified or limited, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the direct contact between the first and second features, or may include the situation where the first and second features are not in direct contact but in contact through other features between them. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over", and "on top of" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath", and "underneath" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature.

[0035] Without conflict, the embodiments in the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0036] Embodiment 1

[0037] As Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the airbag protection device provided in this embodiment utilizes an airbag assembly whose volume can be controlled, and by changing the volume of the airbag assembly, the liquid level height of the lubricating oil in the thrust oil sump is adjusted, so as to achieve the switching between two different lubrication methods: immersion lubrication and oil injection lubrication.

[0038] An airbag protection device for an oil injection lubrication system of a thrust bearing includes: a thrust oil sump, a control assembly, and an airbag assembly. The thrust bearing and its oil injection lubrication system are both arranged inside the thrust oil sump. The airbag assembly is arranged in the internal communication of the thrust oil sump. The control assembly is in communication with the airbag assembly and changes the volume of the airbag assembly;

[0039] When in the expanded state, the thrust pads of the thrust bearing are in the immersion lubrication state; when the airbag assembly is in the expanded state, it will occupy a part of the space in the thrust oil sump, thereby raising the liquid level of the lubricating oil. When the liquid level rises above the thrust pads (the key components of the thrust bearing that bear the axial thrust), the thrust pads are immersed in the lubricating oil, realizing immersion lubrication. This lubrication method is usually used during emergency shutdown or when the lubrication system is powered off to provide continuous lubrication protection.

[0040] When in the contracted state, the thrust pads of the thrust bearing are in the oil spray lubrication state. When the airbag assembly is in the contracted state, the space occupied in the thrust oil sump decreases, and the lubricating oil level drops. When the liquid level drops below the thrust pads, the thrust pads are no longer submerged, but are lubricated by spraying lubricating oil through the oil nozzles. This lubrication method is usually used under normal operating conditions, which can reduce the oil churning loss and improve the efficiency.

[0041] Embodiment 2

[0042] This embodiment further describes the specific structure and arrangement of the airbag assembly. The number of airbag assemblies is multiple and they are distributed circumferentially along the thrust oil sump. Using multiple airbag assemblies instead of a single large airbag, when a certain airbag assembly fails, the other airbag assemblies can still provide partial protection; at the same time, multiple airbag assemblies can be more evenly distributed in the oil sump, making the liquid level rise and fall more smoothly. In addition, since the volume of the thrust oil sump should not be too large, multiple small airbag assemblies can effectively save space.

[0043] The airbag assembly includes: an oil sump airbag 4 and an airbag protective cover 5. The airbag protective cover 5 is connected to the thrust oil sump. The oil sump airbag 4 is arranged inside the airbag protective cover 5, and the airbag protective cover 5 is provided with oil drain holes communicating with the inside of the thrust oil sump. The oil sump airbag 4 is made of flexible material and can expand and contract; while the airbag protective cover 5 is a rigid structure for accommodating and protecting the oil sump airbag 4 and providing structural support.

[0044] Multiple oil drain holes are arranged on both sides of the airbag protective cover 5. The oil drain holes on both sides of the airbag protective cover 5 allow the lubricating oil to flow freely inside and outside the protective cover when the airbag expands and contracts.

[0045] The top of the airbag protective cover 5 is a whole piece of shielding plate, and the shielding plate is arranged below the surface of the thrust bearing pad. The main function of the shielding plate is to prevent the airbag from expanding upwards excessively, providing physical limitation, and in cooperation with the oil drain holes, eliminating the lubricating oil surge generated in the thrust oil sump during the rapid expansion of the airbag, improving the safety margin of the lubrication of the unit bearing, avoiding dry friction of the bearing bush, and ensuring the stable and reliable operation of the generator set.

[0046] When the control component needs to raise the lubricating oil level, it inflates the oil sump airbag 4. The oil sump airbag 4 expands, occupies the space inside the airbag protective cover 5, and squeezes the lubricating oil inside the airbag protective cover 5 through the oil drain holes to other parts of the thrust oil sump, thereby raising the liquid level of the entire oil sump.

[0047] When the control component needs to lower the lubricating oil level, it releases the gas from the oil sump airbag 4. The oil sump airbag 4 contracts, and the lubricating oil flows back into the airbag protective cover 5 through the oil drain holes, and the liquid level of the entire oil sump drops accordingly.

[0048] Embodiment 3

[0049] This embodiment details the specific composition of the control component. The control component is responsible for controlling the inflation and deflation of the airbag component in response to the operating state of the lubrication system.

[0050] The control component includes a gas generator 1, a pressure gauge 2, and a pressure relief valve 6. The gas generator 1 is arranged outside the thrust oil sump. The gas supply end of the gas generator 1 is connected to the oil sump airbag 4 through a gas supply pipeline. Both the pressure gauge 2 and the pressure relief valve 6 are connected to the gas supply pipeline and are arranged outside the thrust oil sump. The gas supply end of the gas generator 1 is detachably connected to the gas supply pipeline by a thread. This detachable connection method facilitates the disassembly and assembly when the gas generator 1 needs to be replaced. The gas pressure in the gas supply pipeline is monitored through the pressure gauge 2, thereby indirectly indicating the inflation state of the oil sump airbag 4. The gas pressure in the gas supply pipeline is released through the pressure relief valve 6 for manual or automatic control, thereby deflating the oil sump airbag 4.

[0051] The control component further includes a storage battery 3 and a power detection module. The power detection module is connected to the mains power supply end of the oil injection lubrication system. The storage battery 3 is connected to the gas generator 1 through the power detection module.

[0052] Normal operating state (oil injection lubrication): The mains power supply is normal, and the oil injection lubrication system is working. The airbag component is in a contracted state, and the lubricating oil level is relatively low.

[0053] Power failure situation: The oil injection lubrication system loses power. The power detection module detects the power failure and immediately switches to the power supply of the storage battery 3. The storage battery 3 supplies power to the gas generator 1, and the gas generator 1 starts and generates gas. The gas enters the oil sump airbag 4 through the gas supply pipeline, causing the airbag to expand and raising the lubricating oil level to achieve immersion lubrication.

[0054] Power restoration: The mains power supply is restored. The power detection module detects the power restoration, and the oil injection lubrication system resumes operation. The operator can release the gas in the gas supply pipeline through the pressure relief valve 6 to make the airbag contract and restore to the oil injection lubrication state.

[0055] Embodiment Four

[0056] This embodiment provides a protection method for a thrust bearing oil injection lubrication system based on Embodiment One, Embodiment Two, and Embodiment Three. The protection method includes:

[0057] Monitoring: The control component continuously detects the operating state of the oil injection lubrication system (mainly the power supply state).

[0058] Power failure protection: If it is detected that the oil injection lubrication system loses power, the control component controls the gas to enter the airbag component, raising the lubricating oil level in the thrust oil sump to make the thrust pads of the thrust bearing in an immersion lubrication state. That is, if the control component detects that the oil injection lubrication system loses power, the following operations are performed:

[0059] The control component activates the gas generator 1.

[0060] The gas generator 1 inflates the oil sump airbag 4 through the air supply pipeline, causing the oil sump airbag 4 to rapidly expand within 3 - 5 seconds.

[0061] The inflation of the airbag pushes up the lubricating oil level in the thrust oil sump and raises the liquid level above the thrust pads of the thrust bearing within 3 - 5 seconds, achieving flooded lubrication.

[0062] The oil sump airbag 4 remains sealed after being filled with gas to maintain flooded lubrication.

[0063] The pressure of the oil sump airbag 4 can be monitored through the pressure gauge 2 connected to the air supply pipeline.

[0064] Power supply restoration: If it is detected that the oil injection lubrication system resumes power supply, the control component controls the airbag component to deflate, causing the lubricating oil level in the thrust oil sump to drop to a level where the thrust pads of the thrust bearing are in the oil injection lubrication state, that is, if the control component detects that the oil injection lubrication system resumes power supply, the following operations are performed:

[0065] The control component controls (or the operator manually operates) the pressure relief valve 6 to open, discharging the gas in the oil sump airbag 4.

[0066] As the volume of the oil sump airbag 4 decreases, the lubricating oil level in the thrust oil sump gradually drops below the thrust pads, restoring the oil injection lubrication state.

[0067] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to terms such as "one embodiment / way", "some embodiments / ways", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment / way or example are included in at least one embodiment / way or example of this application. In this specification, the schematic expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment / way or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments / ways or examples. In addition, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments / ways or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments / ways or examples.

[0068] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In the description of this application, "a plurality" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically and clearly defined.

[0069] Those skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments are only for clearly illustrating the present invention, rather than limiting the scope of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other changes or variations can be made based on the above invention, and these changes or variations are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An airbag protection device for an oil injection lubrication system of a thrust bearing, characterized in that, Comprising: A thrust oil sump, a control assembly, and an airbag assembly. The thrust bearing and its oil injection lubrication system are both arranged inside the thrust oil sump. The airbag assembly is arranged in communication with the inside of the thrust oil sump. The control assembly is in communication with the airbag assembly and changes the volume of the airbag assembly. When in the expanded state, the thrust pads of the thrust bearing are in a wet lubrication state. When in the contracted state, the thrust pads of the thrust bearing are in an oil injection lubrication state.

2. The airbag protection device of a thrust bearing oil injection lubrication system according to claim 1, characterized in that The number of the airbag assemblies is multiple, and they are distributed circumferentially along the thrust oil sump.

3. The airbag protection device of a thrust bearing oil injection lubrication system according to claim 1, characterized by The airbag assembly includes: an oil sump airbag (4) and an airbag protective cover (5). The airbag protective cover (5) is connected to the thrust oil sump. The oil sump airbag (4) is arranged inside the airbag protective cover (5), and the airbag protective cover (5) is provided with oil discharge holes communicating with the inside of the thrust oil sump.

4. The airbag protection device of a thrust bearing oil injection lubrication system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The multiple oil discharge holes are arranged on both sides of the airbag protective cover (5).

5. The airbag protection device of a thrust bearing oil injection lubrication system according to claim 3, characterized in that The top of the airbag protective cover (5) is a whole shielding plate, and the shielding plate is arranged below the surface of the thrust bearing pad.

6. The airbag protection device of a thrust bearing oil injection lubrication system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control assembly includes a gas generator (1). The gas generator (1) is arranged outside the thrust oil sump. The gas supply end of the gas generator (1) is communicated with the oil sump airbag (4) through a gas supply pipeline.

7. The airbag protection device of a thrust bearing oil injection lubrication system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The control assembly further includes a pressure gauge (2) and a pressure relief valve (6). The pressure gauge (2) and the pressure relief valve (6) are both connected to the gas supply pipeline and are arranged outside the reasoning oil sump.

8. The airbag protection device of a thrust bearing oil injection lubrication system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The control assembly further includes a storage battery (3) and a power supply detection module. The power supply detection module is connected to the mains power supply end of the oil injection lubrication system. The storage battery (3) is connected to the gas generator (1) through the power supply detection module.

9. The airbag protection device of a thrust bearing oil injection lubrication system according to claim 6, characterized in that The gas supply end of the gas generator (1) is detachably connected to the gas supply pipeline by a thread.

10. A protection method for an oil injection lubrication system of a thrust bearing, characterized in that, Based on the airbag protection device according to any one of claims 1-9, the protection method includes: The control assembly detects the working state of the oil injection lubrication system. If it is detected that the oil injection lubrication system is powered off, the control assembly controls gas to enter the airbag assembly, so that the lubricating oil level in the thrust oil sump rises to make the thrust pads of the thrust bearing in a wet lubrication state. If it is detected that the oil injection lubrication system resumes power supply, the control assembly controls the airbag assembly to deflate, so that the lubricating oil level in the thrust oil sump drops to make the thrust pads of the thrust bearing in an oil injection lubrication state.

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