Integrated Balancing Nut for Rotating Shafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Balancing rotating parts, such as turbine engine shafts, is challenging due to the need for additional manufacturing steps and increased weight and size from conventional balancing weight housings, which is undesirable for high-speed applications.
Innovation Solution
A balancing device comprising a nut with a countersunk collar and integrated balancing weight, allowing for precise balancing without separate housings, where the balancing weight can be machined to reduce weight and size by removing material from the collar's radial thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If separate housings and balancing weights are used to balance rotating parts, then balancing precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the balancing weight function directly into the fastening element (bolt or screw), eliminating the need for separate housings and balancing weights. The fastening element includes an unthreaded portion with a specific diameter that serves as the balancing weight, integrating two functions (fastening and balancing) into a single component, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining balancing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical fastening through its threaded portions and nuts, while its unthreaded portion with specific diameter serves as a balancing weight. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate balancing components, reducing both device complexity and manufacturing steps while achieving precise balancing.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate housings and balancing weights are used to balance rotating parts, then balancing precision is improved, but weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the balancing weight function into the fastening element itself. The unthreaded portion of the bolt or screw has a specifically designed diameter that provides the necessary balancing mass, eliminating the need for additional housing structures and separate balancing weights, thereby reducing overall weight while achieving precise balancing.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate housings and balancing weights are used to balance rotating parts, then balancing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the balancing weight function into the fastening element, which is a standard component in the manufacturing process. This eliminates the need for separate machining of housings and assembly of balancing weights, reducing manufacturing steps, time, and cost while maintaining high balancing precision through the specifically designed unthreaded portion diameter.
4Reliability
If the thread of the bolt begins beyond the outer surface of the radial flange, then damage to holes is prevented, but the nut requires a countersunk collar to transmit axial forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the countersunk collar and balancing weight into a single integrated component. The unthreaded portion of the fastening element serves both as the balancing weight and eliminates the need for a separate countersunk collar, as the unthreaded portion itself provides the necessary surface for force transmission while preventing thread contact with the holes.
Data Source
AI summary
A balancing method for a rotating part device including a nut having an internal thread, and a countersunk collar is disclosed. The countersunk collar has a through-hole with a diameter greater than the diameter of the internal thread of the nut. The countersunk collar includes a balancing weight.