Axially Movable Bearing Assembly With Coupler for Radial Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Bearing assemblies face challenges in accommodating axial movement in rotating systems, particularly in applications like mixers where drive shafts experience significant axial variations due to temperature changes and hydraulic forces.
Innovation Solution
The proposed bearing assembly comprises a first bearing ring with a plurality of superhard bearing elements, a second bearing ring with superhard bearing elements positioned to contact the first bearing elements, and a coupler that allows axial movement while preventing rotation, thereby maintaining axial alignment and accommodating axial variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a bearing is located at the bottom end of the drive shaft to maintain radial location, then the radial (lateral) location is maintained, but the variation of axial position causes issues in securing the drive shaft while accommodating axial variation
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is divided into two separate bearing rings (first and second bearing rings) with各自的superhard bearing elements. The first bearing ring accommodates axial movement while the second bearing ring maintains radial location, allowing each segment to specialize in one function rather than requiring a single bearing to do both.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupler is introduced as an intermediary component between the drive shaft and the bearing assembly. The coupler includes a bore that receives the drive shaft and allows axial movement, while transmitting rotational motion to the bearing rings. This intermediary decouples the axial movement requirement from the radial location requirement.
2Reliability
If conventional bearing materials are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but reliability and longevity are decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing elements use superhard materials (such as cubic boron nitride or diamond) that are sintered or bonded to a metallic substrate. This composite structure combines the wear resistance and hardness of superhard materials with the toughness and ductility of metal, achieving both high reliability and manageable manufacturing through established sintering and bonding processes.
3Measurement precision
If the coupler is rigidly connected to prevent axial movement, then axial alignment is maintained, but axial movement accommodation is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler is designed with different local properties: the bore region allows axial movement to accommodate drive shaft displacement, while the outer region with the mating feature maintains rotational coupling and transmits torque. This local differentiation of properties allows simultaneous axial movement capability and rotational synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
Bearing assemblies, apparatuses, systems, and methods include bearing assemblies with bearing elements configured to accommodate axial movement.