Thrust bearing bush capable of detecting thickness of oil film

Abstract

The utility model discloses a thrust bearing bush capable of detecting the thickness of an oil film, which relates to the field of bearing oil film thickness monitoring and comprises a thrust bush and a non-contact sensor, a plurality of counter bores are arranged on the bush surface of the thrust bush, and through holes for mounting the non-contact sensor are respectively arranged in the thrust bush corresponding to the counter bores on the bush surface. The non-contact sensor comprises a probe, a sensor body and a signal line, the end face of the probe of the non-contact sensor is located between the tile face of the thrust tile and the bottom face of the counter bore, the sensor body is installed in the through hole, and the counter bore is arranged on the two sides of the symmetry axis of the tile face of the thrust tile in an annular array mode with the center of the outer circle of the thrust tile as the center. And the thrust pads are uniformly distributed along the radial direction by taking the excircle center of the thrust pad as a reference. According to the utility model, more comprehensive oil film thickness data can be obtained, the lubrication state of the whole thrust pad working surface can be accurately reflected, and the monitoring accuracy and reliability are enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of bearing oil film thickness monitoring, in particular to a thrust bearing bush capable of detecting oil film thickness. Background Art

[0002] The thrust bearings of hydropower generator sets are large sliding bearings, often utilizing a segmented pad structure. As shown in the figure, the pads can freely swing around the bearing support center. As the unit rotates, a wedge-shaped oil film forms between the bearing pad and the mirror plate, buoying the rotor, which weighs hundreds or even thousands of tons. According to the lubrication principle of sliding bearings, the thickness of the oil film on the bearing pad is uneven, requiring a wedge-shaped film to ensure the bearing's load-bearing capacity. The thickness of the oil film is crucial to the bearing's operating condition. If the film is too thin, friction may increase, or even damage the bearing; if the film is too thick, the bearing's load capacity may be compromised, resulting in reduced equipment efficiency. Therefore, real-time monitoring and accurate measurement of the oil film thickness between the thrust bearing pad and the mirror plate has become a key technology for ensuring safe and efficient generator set operation. However, the unique structure of the thrust bearing pad makes sensor installation complex, especially in confined spaces. This can interfere with the normal operation of the bearing, and monitoring accuracy is limited under high-load, high-speed operating conditions.

[0003] A Chinese patent document with publication number CN220248671U, published on December 26, 2023, discloses a device for monitoring the oil film thickness of a thrust sliding bearing. The device comprises a rotating shaft with a radially extending thrust disc formed on the central outer wall of the rotating shaft. Pad support brackets are provided on the left and right sides of the thrust disc. Multiple thrust pads are mounted on the pad support brackets facing the end face of the thrust disc, with the outer end face of the thrust pad close to the end face of the thrust disc. A displacement sensor is fixed to the wall of the pad support bracket facing the end face of the thrust disc, with the sensing end of the displacement sensor close to the end face of the thrust disc. The device monitors the oil film thickness of the thrust sliding bearing and transmits the signal to a control host, which can then control subsequent operations to avoid damage to the equipment.

[0004] However, in the aforementioned technical solution, the displacement sensor is installed in the mounting slot between the two thrust washers, with the sensing end close to the end face of the thrust disc. This arrangement may limit the sensor's oil film thickness measurement range, preventing it from covering the entire thrust washers' working surface. The oil film thickness on the thrust washers' working surface may also be uneven, and measurements taken only at specific locations may not reflect the overall oil film condition, resulting in incomplete and inaccurate monitoring results. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the utility model proposes a thrust bearing pad capable of detecting oil film thickness, which can comprehensively monitor the distribution of oil film thickness on the thrust pad surface and ensure the accuracy of the monitoring results.

[0006] The utility model is realized by adopting the following technical solutions:

[0007] A thrust bearing pad capable of detecting oil film thickness comprises a thrust pad and a non-contact sensor. The thrust pad has a plurality of countersunk holes formed on its surface. Through holes for mounting the non-contact sensors are provided within the thrust pad corresponding to the countersunk holes on the pad surface. The non-contact sensor comprises a probe, a sensor body, and a signal line. The end face of the probe of the non-contact sensor is located between the pad surface of the thrust pad and the bottom surface of the countersunk hole, and the sensor body is mounted within the through hole.

[0008] The countersunk holes are arranged in a circular array on both sides of the symmetry axis of the thrust washer surface with the center of the outer circle of the thrust washer as the center, and are evenly distributed radially with the center of the outer circle of the thrust washer as the reference. The angle of the circular array is 3°-6°, and the radially evenly distributed spacing is 0.05-0.2 times the radial length of the thrust washer surface.

[0009] The centers of the counterbore and the through hole are located on the same axis.

[0010] The bottom of the thrust washer is provided with a lead groove for placing the signal line, and the signal line of the non-contact sensor is led out to the outside of the thrust washer through the lead groove.

[0011] The through hole is a threaded through hole, and the outer wall of the sensor body is provided with threads.

[0012] The end surface of the lead groove is provided with a threaded hole having a diameter larger than that of the sensor body, facing the inner direction of the thrust washer. A fastening nut for fixing the non-contact sensor is provided between the sensor body and the threaded hole.

[0013] A sealing washer is provided in the threaded hole, one end of the sealing washer contacts the thrust washer, and the other end contacts the fastening nut.

[0014] Thread sealant is provided on the threads of the outer wall of the sensor body.

[0015] The diameter of the counterbore is in the range of 1.8 to 2.5 times the diameter of the probe.

[0016] The distance between the end face of the probe of the non-contact sensor and the pad surface of the thrust pad is 0.5-2.5 mm.

[0017] The signal wire is an oil-resistant insulated wire.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are:

[0019] 1. The utility model arranges a number of countersunk holes at set positions on the thrust pad surface, and installs non-contact sensors in each countersunk hole on the corresponding pad surface inside the thrust pad, so as to monitor the oil film thickness at multiple positions. The countersunk holes are specially arranged so that the points can cover the minimum oil film thickness area of ​​the bearing, so that more comprehensive oil film thickness data can be obtained, accurately reflecting the lubrication status of the entire thrust pad working surface, and enhancing the accuracy and reliability of monitoring.

[0020] 2. This new model uses a non-contact sensor for real-time monitoring of oil film thickness, avoiding the wear and mechanical interference that can result from direct contact between traditional contact sensors and bearing components. The non-contact sensor enables precise measurement without affecting the oil film, extending the life of the equipment and improving measurement accuracy.

[0021] 3. In this utility model, a special wire groove is set at the bottom of the thrust washer to protect the signal line of the non-contact sensor, and oil-resistant insulated wire is used to prevent erosion by lubricating oil, thereby improving the stability of signal transmission and the durability of the cable, effectively avoiding damage to the signal line by the external environment, and improving the reliability and service life of the entire system.

[0022] 4. In this utility model, the non-contact sensor probe is located at a precise height below the thrust bearing surface, and the countersunk hole diameter range is optimized so that the probe can perform high-precision detection of oil film thickness at the optimal position.

[0023] 5. The present invention effectively prevents oil or external impurities from entering the sensor by providing thread sealant on the thread and a sealing gasket in the threaded hole, thereby enhancing the sealing and protection capabilities of the sensor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the installation arrangement of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the utility model when the non-contact sensor is not installed;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a distribution diagram of the countersunk holes on the thrust pad surface of the utility model.

[0027] Markings in the figure:

[0028] 1. Thrust washer, 2. Through hole, 3. Countersunk hole, 4. Sensor body, 5. Probe, 6. Lead groove, 7. Threaded hole, 8. Fastening nut, 9. Sealing washer, 10. Thread sealant. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following is a clear and complete description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. It is obvious that the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] Example 1

[0031] As the most basic embodiment of the present invention, refer to Figure 1 - Figure 2 The present embodiment discloses a thrust bearing pad capable of detecting the thickness of an oil film, comprising a thrust pad 1 and a non-contact sensor, wherein a plurality of countersunk holes 3 are provided on the pad surface of the thrust pad 1, and each countersunk hole 3 corresponding to the pad surface inside the thrust pad 1 is respectively provided with a through hole 2 for installing the non-contact sensor, and the non-contact sensor comprises a probe 5, a sensor body 4 and a signal line, the end face of the probe 5 of the non-contact sensor is located between the pad surface of the thrust pad 1 and the bottom surface of the countersunk hole 3, and the sensor body 4 is installed in the through hole 2, and the countersunk holes 3 are arranged in a circular array on both sides of the symmetry axis of the pad surface of the thrust pad 1 with the outer circle center of the thrust pad 1 as the center, and are evenly distributed radially with the outer circle center of the thrust pad as the reference, the angle of the circular array is 5°, and the spacing of the radial uniform distribution is 0.2 times the radial length of the pad surface of the thrust pad 1.

[0032] In this embodiment, by arranging several countersunk holes 3 at set positions on the surface of the thrust washer 1 and installing non-contact sensors on each countersunk hole 3 on the surface of the thrust washer 1, the oil film thickness at multiple positions can be monitored, and more comprehensive oil film thickness data can be obtained, accurately reflecting the lubrication status of the entire thrust washer 1 working surface, thereby enhancing the accuracy and reliability of monitoring.

[0033] Example 2

[0034] As another preferred embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment is based on the above embodiment 1, and further supplements and explains the technical solution of the present invention in detail. Figure 1 - Figure 2 In this embodiment, the centers of the countersunk hole 3 and the through hole 2 are located on the same axis, and a lead groove 6 for placing the signal line is provided at the bottom of the thrust washer 1. The signal line of the non-contact sensor is led out to the outside of the thrust washer 1 through the lead groove 6. The signal line is an oil-resistant insulated wire.

[0035] In this embodiment, a dedicated lead groove 6 is provided at the bottom of the thrust washer 1 to protect the signal line of the non-contact sensor, and oil-resistant insulated wire is used to prevent erosion by lubricating oil, thereby improving the stability of signal transmission and the durability of the cable, effectively avoiding damage to the signal line by the external environment, and improving the reliability and service life of the entire system.

[0036] Example 3

[0037] As another preferred embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment is a further detailed supplement and elaboration of the technical solution of the present invention based on the above embodiment 2. Figure 1 - Figure 2 In this embodiment, the diameter of the countersunk hole 3 is twice the diameter of the probe 5, and the distance between the end face of the probe 5 of the non-contact sensor and the tile surface of the thrust tile 1 is 0.5 mm.

[0038] In this embodiment, the non-contact sensor probe 5 is located at a precise height above the thrust washer 1, and the diameter range of the counterbore 3 is optimized so that the probe 5 can perform high-precision detection of the oil film thickness at the optimal position.

[0039] Example 4

[0040] As the best embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment is a further detailed supplement and elaboration of the technical solution of the present invention based on the above embodiment 3. Figure 1 - Figure 2 In this embodiment, the through hole 2 is a threaded through hole 2, and the outer wall of the sensor body 4 is provided with a thread; the end surface of the lead groove 6 is provided with a threaded hole 7 with a diameter larger than the diameter of the sensor body 4 facing the inner direction of the thrust washer 1, and a fastening nut 8 for fixing the non-contact sensor is provided between the sensor body 4 and the threaded hole 7; a sealing gasket 9 is provided in the threaded hole 7, one end of the sealing gasket 9 is in contact with the thrust washer 1, and the other end is in contact with the fastening nut 8; a thread sealant 10 is provided on the thread of the outer wall of the sensor body 4.

[0041] In this embodiment, through the setting of the thread and the fastening nut 8, the non-contact sensor can be firmly installed inside the thrust washer 1, ensuring that the sensor will not be displaced or loosened under high-speed rotation or vibration conditions, and maintain a stable working state; the setting of the threaded hole 7 can also facilitate the installation of the sensor; the design of the sealing gasket 9 effectively prevents the erosion of oil, dust or other impurities, improves the service life and working stability of the sensor, and can also play a certain shock-absorbing effect to prevent the sensor from being damaged or offset in a high-vibration environment.

[0042] The principle of this utility model is as follows:

[0043] The formation and function of oil film: When the thrust bearing is working, an oil film is formed between the thrust pad and the mirror plate, which floats the rotor weighing hundreds or even thousands of tons;

[0044] Non-contact sensor measurement: The non-contact sensor in this utility model uses the non-contact measurement principle of eddy current effect to sense the distance between the thrust pad surface and the mirror plate end surface. The specific steps are as follows:

[0045] Sensor probe: The probe of the non-contact sensor is located below the thrust pad surface and senses the surface distance of the mirror plate by emitting electromagnetic waves or other signals.

[0046] Distance measurement: The sensor receives the reflected signal and calculates the distance between the probe and the mirror plate, thereby obtaining the distance between the mirror plate and the thrust pad surface, which is the thickness of the oil film.

[0047] Multi-point real-time monitoring: This thrust washer incorporates multiple non-contact sensors that monitor the distance between the mirror plate and the washer surface at multiple points. Each sensor transmits measured data to an external monitoring system, which analyzes the data and displays or records the oil film thickness at each monitoring point in real time.

Claims

1. A thrust bearing pad capable of detecting oil film thickness, comprising a thrust pad (1) and a non-contact sensor, characterized in that: The thrust washer (1) is provided with a plurality of countersunk holes (3), and each countersunk hole (3) corresponding to the thrust washer (1) is provided with a through hole (2) for installing a non-contact sensor. The non-contact sensor comprises a probe (5), a sensor body (4) and a signal line. The end face of the probe (5) of the non-contact sensor is located between the thrust washer (1) and the bottom face of the countersunk hole (3). The sensor body (4) is installed in the through hole (2). The countersunk holes (3) are arranged in a circular array on both sides of the symmetry axis of the thrust washer (1) with the outer circle center of the thrust washer (1) as the center, and are evenly distributed radially with the outer circle center of the thrust washer (1) as the reference. The angle of the circular array is 3°-6°, and the spacing of the radial even distribution is 0.05-0.2 times the radial length of the thrust washer (1).

2. The thrust bearing pad capable of detecting oil film thickness according to claim 1, characterized in that: The centers of the countersunk hole (3) and the through hole (2) are located on the same axis.

3. A thrust bearing pad capable of detecting oil film thickness according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The bottom of the thrust washer (1) is provided with a lead groove (6) for placing a signal line, and the signal line of the non-contact sensor is led out to the outside of the thrust washer (1) through the lead groove (6).

4. The thrust bearing pad capable of detecting oil film thickness according to claim 3, characterized in that: The through hole (2) is a threaded through hole (2), and the outer wall of the sensor body (4) is provided with threads.

5. The thrust bearing pad capable of detecting oil film thickness according to claim 3, characterized in that: A threaded hole (7) having a diameter greater than that of the sensor body (4) is provided on the end surface of the lead groove (6) facing the interior of the thrust washer (1), and a fastening nut (8) for fixing the non-contact sensor is provided between the sensor body (4) and the threaded hole (7).

6. The thrust bearing pad capable of detecting oil film thickness according to claim 5, characterized in that: A sealing gasket (9) is provided in the threaded hole (7), one end of the sealing gasket (9) contacts the thrust washer (1), and the other end contacts the fastening nut (8).

7. The thrust bearing pad capable of detecting oil film thickness according to claim 4, characterized in that: A thread sealant (10) is provided on the threads of the outer wall of the sensor body (4).

8. The thrust bearing pad capable of detecting oil film thickness according to claim 7, characterized in that: The diameter of the countersunk hole (3) ranges from 1.8 to 2.5 times the diameter of the probe (5).

9. The thrust bearing pad capable of detecting oil film thickness according to claim 8, characterized in that: The distance between the end face of the probe (5) of the non-contact sensor and the tile surface of the thrust tile (1) is 0.5-2.5 mm.

10. The thrust bearing pad capable of detecting oil film thickness according to claim 8, characterized in that: The signal wire is an oil-resistant insulated wire.

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