Balancing Weight With Hollow Vent Passage for Impeller Vibration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary machines, such as centrifugal compressors, face dynamic unbalance due to mass offset between the impeller and rotor shaft, leading to vibration issues, which existing balancing methods fail to fully address by requiring separate holes for weights and venting, complicating the design and reducing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A rotating component with a hub featuring balance holes that accommodate balancing weights with a hollow passageway for fluid venting, combining mechanical and thrust balancing in a single configuration, reducing the number of openings and enhancing compressor efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate threaded holes and vent holes are provided for mechanical and thrust balancing, then both balancing functions are achieved, but the number of openings increases and design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mechanical balancing and thrust balancing functions into a single balance hole by providing a balancing weight with an integrated hollow passageway. The cylindrical body of the balancing weight is received within the balance hole, while the hollow passageway allows fluid venting from the front side to the back side of the hub. This merging eliminates the need for separate vent holes while maintaining both balancing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The balancing weight is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical balancing through its weight, and enables thrust balancing through its hollow passageway that allows fluid communication. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components or openings.
2Reliability
If multiple separate holes are used for balancing and venting, then both functions are fulfilled, but the impeller design becomes less compact and efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the venting function into the balancing weight structure itself. The hollow passageway formed by the cylindrical body with its opening allows fluid to vent from the front side to the back side of the hub, eliminating the need for separate vent holes and contributing to a more compact impeller design with improved efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If traditional balancing weights without hollow passageways are used, then mechanical balancing is achieved, but thrust balancing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing weight is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical balancing through its weight, and enables thrust balancing through its hollow passageway that allows fluid communication. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components or openings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively balances the impeller by aligning its center of mass with the rotational axis, minimizing vibration and allowing for a more compact design by integrating both balancing and venting functions within a single balance hole, thereby improving compressor efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the hollow passageway is for allowing a fluid to vent from the front side to the back side of the hub
Implementation Method 2
This mechanism of mechanical balancing is used to align the center of mass of the impeller with the rotational axis of the rotating shaft
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A balancing weight mountable within a balance hole of a rotary component includes a cylindrical body having a desired weight. An opening is formed in a portion of the body to define a hollow passageway and a mechanism couples the cylindrical body within an interior of the balance hole.