Spherical hinge connection type tilting pad thrust bearing structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a spherical hinge connection type tilting pad thrust bearing structure, and aims to solve the problems of insufficient lubricating performance, poor heat dissipation performance and insufficient posture adjustment flexibility of thrust blocks in the prior art. The structure comprises a transmission shaft, a ball socket type thrust block, a ball head connecting column, a thrust bearing disc, a thrust bearing disc fixing ring piece, a thrust bearing outer shell, an O-shaped ring, a locking nut and a hydraulic bent pipe. The ball socket type thrust block is connected with the ball head connecting column through a spherical hinge pair, a hydraulic oil channel and a damping hole are formed in the ball head connecting column, and hydraulic oil flows into the ball head connecting column through the hydraulic bent pipe and further flows through the damping hole of the ball socket type thrust block, so that oil-way circulation for lubrication and heat dissipation is formed. Babbitt metal is sprayed to the bottom of the ball socket type thrust block, abrasion resistance is improved, the ball socket type thrust block can be connected with the ball joint column in a thermal expansion and cold contraction mode, and self-adjustment of the working posture is achieved. The thrust bearing disc is provided with a limiting ring, the swing angle of the thrust block is limited, and installation is convenient. By optimizing the structural design, forced lubrication in the whole working condition period is achieved, the lubrication and heat dissipation performance of the thrust bearing under the high thrust working condition is remarkably improved, meanwhile, the flexibility of self-adaptive adjustment of the pose of the thrust block is enhanced, and the thrust bearing is suitable for various high-load transmission systems.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of marine propulsion technology, and in particular to a ball-joint type tilting pad thrust bearing structure. Background Technology

[0002] As one of the core systems of a ship, the safety and reliability of the marine propulsion system directly impact navigation safety. With the development of ships towards larger, higher-speed, unmanned, and intelligent designs, the automation level and complexity of their propulsion systems are constantly increasing, placing higher demands on the reliability of the power units. However, this also leads to a higher failure rate. Therefore, improving the lifespan of marine propulsion systems and reducing their failure rate is of paramount importance.

[0003] Tilting pad thrust bearings, as a crucial component of marine propulsion systems, primarily transmit power generated by the main engine to the propeller and the reverse axial thrust generated by seawater to the hull, thereby propelling the ship. The thrust block, as the direct component transmitting thrust within the thrust bearing, typically has a certain thickness of Babbitt metal coated on its surface to improve wear resistance and lifespan. However, it is highly sensitive to temperature and is usually lubricated by oil injection, with a hydraulic system located on the upper part of the bearing cap to lubricate the thrust block surface. Excessive thrust reduces the oil film thickness between the shaft and thrust block sliding pair, leading to poor lubrication. Furthermore, due to the smaller oil film pressure difference, the oil film's hydrodynamic effect is relatively weak, easily causing damage to the Babbitt metal coating on the thrust block. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a structure for a ball-joint type tilting pad thrust bearing that enables adaptive adjustment of the thrust block's attitude while achieving forced lubrication of the shaft-thrust block sliding pair. Furthermore, since an external system provides hydraulic oil, the lubrication system pressure can be increased to improve lubrication conditions and extend bearing life when the thrust increases.

[0005] This invention provides a ball joint type tilting pad thrust bearing structure, comprising: 1. Drive shaft, 2. Ball socket type thrust block, 3. Ball head connector, 4. Thrust bearing plate, 5. Thrust bearing housing, 6. O-ring, 7. Locking nut, 8. and hydraulic bend, 9. The ball-shaped thrust block 2 has a damping hole in the middle, the ball head connector 3 has a hydraulic oil passage inside, the ball head has a damping hole, the middle is fixed with a positioning disc by welding, the outer surface of the tail is threaded by machining, and the surface of the thrust plate 4 has a fixing hole. The ball-and-socket thrust block 2 and the ball-head connector 3 are connected by a ball joint. The ball-head connector 3 and the thrust plate 4 are fixed by the thrust plate fixing ring 5 to form a thrust bearing component. The thrust bearing component and the thrust bearing housing 6 are sealed by the O-ring 7 and further fixed by the locking nut 8. The ball-head connector 3 and the hydraulic bend 9 are connected by threads.

[0006] In some embodiments, the bottom of the ball-and-socket type thrust block 2 is a disc-shaped structure, used to transmit thrust, and forms a sliding pair with the journal working surface of the transmission shaft 1; During operation, the drive shaft 1 rotates axially relative to the ball-and-socket thrust block 2, and a micron-sized hydrodynamic oil film is formed between them. The thickness of the oil film decreases as the thrust increases.

[0007] In some embodiments, the bottom disc plane of the ball-and-socket thrust block 2 is sprayed with a layer of Babbitt alloy to improve wear resistance.

[0008] In some embodiments, the ball-and-socket type thrust block 2 and the ball-head connector 3 are connected by thermal expansion and contraction. During operation, the ball-and-socket type thrust block 2 can revolve and rotate around the center of the ball head connector 3 to achieve self-adjustment of the thrust block's working posture.

[0009] In some embodiments, a positioning disc is fixed to the middle of the ball-head connector 3 by welding, which is used to position the push plate 4.

[0010] In some embodiments, a hydraulic oil passage is arranged in the middle of the ball joint 3, and a damping hole is arranged at the ball head position. The size of the oil passage is larger than the size of the damping hole. The outer circle of the tail is threaded by machining and connected to the hydraulic bend 9. External high-pressure hydraulic oil flows into the oil passage and damping hole inside the ball joint 3 through the hydraulic bend 9.

[0011] In some embodiments, the center of the ball-and-socket thrust block 2 is provided with a damping hole by mechanical processing. The hydraulic oil flowing out of the damping hole of the ball-head connector 3 enters the damping hole at the center of the ball-and-socket thrust block 2, and further flows through the bottom disc surface of the ball-and-socket thrust block 2 and merges into the oil pan.

[0012] In some embodiments, the thrust plate 4 is provided with a limiting ring to limit the angle of swing of the ball-and-socket thrust block 2 around the center of the ball head post 3, while facilitating the installation of the thrust bearing assembly.

[0013] In some embodiments, the inside of the bearing plate fixing ring 5 is provided with internal threads by mechanical processing.

[0014] In some embodiments, the surface roughness of the mating surface between the thrust bearing retaining ring 5 and the thrust bearing 4 and the thrust bearing housing 6 is 3.2, and the surface roughness of the mating surface between the thrust bearing housing 6 and the O-ring 7 is 1.6.

[0015] This invention relates to a ball-joint type tilting pad thrust bearing with a simple structure that achieves forced lubrication of the shaft-thrust block sliding pair. By adjusting the pressure of the external hydraulic system according to changes in thrust under actual operating conditions, continuous and effective lubrication of the thrust bearing can be achieved throughout the entire operating cycle. Simultaneously, the increased pressure difference leads to increased fluid velocity, enhancing the dynamic pressure effect during thrust bearing operation. Furthermore, the ball-joint connection provides stronger adaptive adjustment capability for the thrust block's position, further promoting improved lubrication performance and effective heat transfer. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings illustrate, by way of example and not limitation, the various embodiments discussed herein.

[0017] Figure 1 This is an external view of the ball joint type tilting pad thrust bearing assembly of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the ball-joint type tilting pad thrust bearing structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the ball-and-socket type thrust block structure of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the ball-head connector structure of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the outer shape of the push plate of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the external shape of the fixing ring of the push plate in this invention.

[0018] Symbol explanation: 1-Drive shaft; 2-Spherical thrust block; 3-Ball head connector; 4-Thrust plate; 5-Thrust plate retaining ring; 6-Thrust bearing housing; 7-O-ring; 8-Locking nut; 9-Hydraulic bend. Detailed Implementation

[0019] In order to gain a more detailed understanding of the features and technical content of the embodiments of this application, the implementation of the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application.

[0020] In the embodiments described in this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise stated and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can be an electrical connection, or a connection between two internal components. It can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above term according to the specific circumstances.

[0021] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," and "third" used in the embodiments of this application are merely used to distinguish similar objects and do not represent a specific ordering of objects. It is understood that "first," "second," and "third" can be interchanged in a specific order or sequence where permitted. It should be understood that the objects distinguished by "first," "second," and "third" can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a ball-joint type tilting pad thrust bearing structure, including a drive shaft 1; a ball-and-socket type thrust block 2; a ball-end connector 3; a thrust plate 4; a thrust plate fixing ring 5; a thrust bearing housing 6; an O-ring 7; a lock nut 8; and a hydraulic bend 9. The ball-and-socket type thrust block 2 has a damping hole in its center, the ball-end connector 3 has a hydraulic oil passage inside, a damping hole at the ball end, and a positioning plate fixed in the center by welding. The outer surface of the tail end is threaded by machining, and a fixing hole is formed on the surface of the thrust plate. Specifically, the ball-and-socket type thrust block 2 and the ball-end connector 3 are connected by a ball joint, and the ball-end connector 3 and the thrust plate 4 are fixed by the thrust plate fixing ring 5, forming a thrust bearing component. The thrust bearing component and the thrust bearing housing 6 are sealed by an O-ring and further fixed by the lock nut 8. The ball-end connector 3 and the hydraulic bend 9 are connected by threads.

[0023] like Figure 3 As shown, the bottom of the ball-and-socket thrust block 2 is a disc-shaped structure used to transmit thrust. It forms a sliding pair with the journal working surface of the drive shaft 1. During operation, the drive shaft 1 rotates axially relative to the ball-and-socket thrust block 2, and a micron-level hydrodynamic oil film is formed between the two. The thickness of the oil film decreases as the thrust increases.

[0024] The bottom disc of the ball-and-socket type thrust block 2 is coated with a layer of Babbitt alloy to improve its wear resistance.

[0025] The ball-and-socket type thrust block 2 and the ball-head connector 3 are connected by thermal expansion and contraction. During operation, the ball-and-socket type thrust block 2 can revolve and rotate around the center of the ball-head connector 3 to achieve self-adjustment of the working posture of the thrust block.

[0026] like Figure 4 As shown, a positioning disc is fixed in the middle of the ball head connector 3 by welding (argon arc welding or fusion welding) to position the push plate 4.

[0027] The ball joint 3 has a hydraulic oil passage in the middle and a damping hole at the ball head. The size of the oil passage is larger than the size of the damping hole. The outer circle of the tail is threaded by machining and connected to the hydraulic bend 9. External high-pressure hydraulic oil flows into the oil passage and damping hole inside the ball joint 3 through the hydraulic bend 9.

[0028] The center of the ball-and-socket type thrust block 2 is provided with a damping hole through machining. The hydraulic oil flowing out of the damping hole of the ball head connector 3 enters the damping hole at the center of the ball-and-socket type thrust block 2, and further flows through the bottom disc surface of the ball-and-socket type thrust block 2 and merges into the oil pan.

[0029] like Figure 5 As shown, the thrust plate 4 is equipped with a limit ring to limit the angle of the ball-and-socket type thrust block 2 swinging around the center of the ball head connector 3, and at the same time facilitates the installation of the thrust bearing assembly.

[0030] like Figure 6 As shown, the internal threads of the bearing plate fixing ring 5 are arranged by mechanical processing.

[0031] In this embodiment, the surface roughness of the mating surface between the thrust bearing fixing ring 5 and the thrust bearing 4 and the thrust bearing housing 6 is 3.2, and the surface roughness of the mating surface between the thrust bearing housing 6 and the O-ring is 1.6.

[0032] In this embodiment, the ball-and-socket type thrust block 2 and the ball-head connector 3 are made of alloy materials with high wear resistance.

[0033] In this embodiment, only the thrust bearing mounting surface of the thrust bearing housing 6 is shown. Since the other surfaces do not transmit force to the thrust bearing, the complete structure is not shown.

[0034] The technical solutions described in the embodiments of this application can be combined arbitrarily without conflict.

[0035] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A ball-joint connecting type tilting pad thrust bearing structure, characterized by, Include: Transmission shaft (1), ball socket type thrust block (2), ball head column (3), thrust disc (4), thrust disc fixed ring piece (5), thrust bearing outer shell (6), O ring (7), locking nut (8) and hydraulic elbow (9); The middle part of the ball socket type thrust block (2) is provided with a damping hole, the inside of the ball head column (3) is provided with a hydraulic oil channel, the ball head part is provided with a damping hole, the middle part is fixed with a positioning disc piece by welding, and the tail outer circle is arranged with threads by mechanical processing, the surface of the thrust disc (4) is provided with a fixed hole; The ball socket type thrust block (2) is connected with the ball head column (3) through a ball hinge pair, the ball head column (3) is fixed with the thrust disc (4) through the thrust disc fixed ring piece (5), and the thrust bearing part is composed, the thrust bearing part is sealed with the thrust bearing outer shell (6) through the O ring (7), and is further fixed through the locking nut (8), and the ball head column (3) is connected with the hydraulic elbow (9) through threads.

2. The spherical hinged tilting pad thrust bearing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that The bottom of the ball socket type thrust block (2) is a disc type structure, which is used for transmitting thrust and is combined with the journal working surface of the transmission shaft (1) to form a sliding pair; When working, the transmission shaft (1) rotates axially relative to the ball socket type thrust block (2), and a micron-level dynamic pressure oil film is formed between them, and the oil film thickness decreases with the increase of the thrust.

3. The spherical hinged tilting pad thrust bearing structure according to claim 2, characterized in that The bottom disc plane of the ball socket type thrust block (2) is sprayed with a layer of babbitt alloy for improving wear resistance.

4. The spherical hinged tilting pad thrust bearing structure according to claim 1, wherein The ball socket type thrust block (2) is connected with the ball head column (3) through thermal expansion and cold shrinkage; When working, the ball socket type thrust block (2) can revolve around the ball center of the ball head column (3) to realize revolution and rotation, so as to achieve self-adjustment of the working posture of the thrust block.

5. The spherical hinged tilting pad thrust bearing structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein The middle part of the ball head column (3) is fixed with a positioning disc piece by welding, which is used for positioning the thrust disc (4).

6. The spherical hinged tilting pad thrust bearing structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein The middle part of the ball head column (3) is arranged with a hydraulic oil channel, the ball head position is arranged with a damping hole, the size of the oil channel is larger than that of the damping hole, the tail outer circle is arranged with threads by mechanical processing, and is connected with the hydraulic elbow (9), and the high-pressure hydraulic oil flows into the oil channel and the damping hole in the inside of the ball head column (3) through the hydraulic elbow (9).

7. The spherical hinged tilting pad thrust bearing structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein The center of the ball socket type thrust block (2) is provided with a damping hole by mechanical processing, the hydraulic oil flowing out of the damping hole of the ball head column (3) enters the damping hole at the center of the ball socket type thrust block (2), and further flows through the bottom disc surface of the ball socket type thrust block (2), and flows into the oil pan.

8. The spherical hinged tilting pad thrust bearing structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein The thrust disc (4) is arranged with a limiting ring for limiting the angle of swinging of the ball socket type thrust block (2) around the ball center of the ball head column (3), and facilitating the installation of the thrust bearing assembly.

9. The spherical hinged tilting pad thrust bearing structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein The inside of the thrust disc fixed ring piece (5) is arranged with internal threads by mechanical processing.

10. The spherical hinged tilting pad thrust bearing structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein The surface roughness of the thrust disc fixed ring piece (5) matched with the thrust disc (4) and the thrust bearing outer shell (6) is 3.2, and the surface roughness of the thrust bearing outer shell (6) matched with the O ring (7) is 1.6.

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