Bearing Cooling via Segmented Flow Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bearing technologies face challenges in efficiently cooling or heating large-diameter bearings and slewing rings, especially those grease-lubricated, due to indirect cooling methods which are inadequate at extreme temperatures, leading to premature lubricant degradation and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates material recesses on ring-shaped components to form flow channels for direct heat exchange, with perforated disks connecting these recesses to create a meandering flow channel, allowing for active heating or cooling using heat exchange media like water or oil, and incorporating electrothermal converters for precise temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If indirect cooling methods are used for grease-lubricated bearings, then the bearing can be cooled without direct fluid contact, but the cooling efficiency is inadequate at extreme temperatures leading to premature lubricant degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing structure is segmented to include separate cooling channels formed by material recesses in the inner and outer rings, allowing independent temperature control of different bearing regions. The cooling medium flows through these segmented channels to directly cool specific areas where heat generation occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling medium (water, oil, or other fluids) is introduced as an intermediary substance to transfer heat away from the bearing components. The cooling medium flows through the material recesses and removes heat directly from the bearing rings and rolling elements, preventing lubricant degradation.
2Temperature
If direct cooling with cooling media is implemented, then cooling efficiency improves, but the structural complexity increases due to additional components needed for fluid delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are merged into the bearing structure itself through material recesses in the inner and outer rings. The end plates and perforated disks are integrated with the bearing components to form a unified structure that combines load-bearing and cooling functions, eliminating the need for separate cooling system components.
Solution Approach 2:
The material recesses and flow channels serve multiple functions: they structurally form the bearing rings while simultaneously acting as cooling channels. The end plates provide both structural closure and flow distribution functions, and the perforated disks serve both as structural elements and as flow distributors for the cooling medium.
3Temperature
If material recesses are created to form flow channels, then direct heat exchange is enabled, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The material recesses are prepared in advance during the manufacturing process of the inner and outer rings. The cooling channels are pre-formed as integral parts of the bearing rings before assembly, allowing for efficient heat exchange while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard machining or forming operations.
4Temperature
If electrothermal converters are added for precise temperature control, then temperature regulation improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors are integrated into the bearing structure to monitor the actual temperature of the bearing rings and rolling elements. This feedback information is used to control the electrothermal converters, adjusting their operation to maintain optimal temperature conditions and prevent lubricant degradation.
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 enables efficient and direct heat management, maintaining optimal lubricant performance across a wide temperature range, improving wear resistance, reliability, and startup properties of the bearing assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling medium is guided through material recesses 4, 5 which form at least one section of a flow channel
Implementation Method 2
direct cooling of the stressed components in and around the raceways
Implementation Method 3
incorporating electrothermal converters for precise temperature control
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement in the form of a bearing, large rolling bearing, pivoting drive or rotational connection, comprising components (1) and (3) which are rotatable in relation to one another and devices for the integrated heating or cooling of the rolling body raceways (2) or of the components (1) (3) which are rotatable in relation to one another, and to a method for the integrated heating or cooling, relating to a bearing, large rolling bearing, pivoting drive or a rotational connection respectively comprising components (1) (3) which are rotatable in relation to one another and devices for the integrated heating or cooling of said components (1) (3) and rolling body raceways (2), characterized in that the heating or cooling effect is respectively undertaken and can be controlled in a defined manner by direct entry of heat into the components or direct removal of heat from the components (1) (2) (3) and is formed by the cooperation of cold- or heat-generating elements (18) or functions or devices, and whereby it is possible to switch between a heating effect and cooling effect.