Bearing Gap Measurement Using Pneumatic Piston Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing bearing failure in engines require disassembly, making it difficult to easily detect damage in main and connecting rod bearings subjected to high rotational speeds and loads.
Innovation Solution
A bearing gap measuring device that uses a pressure generating device to create positive and negative pressures within a cylinder, coupled with a displacement measuring device to detect height changes in the piston, allowing for non-invasive diagnosis of bearing damage by measuring gap changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the engine is disassembled to check the bearing, then the bearing damage can be confirmed, but the diagnosis process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical disassembly method with a pneumatic measurement system. A probe rod with pressure sensor measures piston position changes under applied pressure, calculating bearing gap through mathematical formulas rather than physical inspection. This substitutes complex mechanical disassembly with a simplified pneumatic-mathematical system that maintains measurement precision while reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a probe rod as an intermediary element that transmits applied pressure to the piston and measures position changes. This intermediary enables indirect measurement of bearing gap through piston displacement, avoiding direct contact with the bearing itself and simplifying the diagnosis process while maintaining detection accuracy
2Measurement precision
If the engine is disassembled to check the bearing, then the bearing condition can be confirmed, but the engine downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming mechanical disassembly with a rapid pneumatic measurement process. The probe rod system can measure bearing gap in-situ without engine disassembly, reducing maintenance time while maintaining the ability to accurately detect bearing damage through pressure-induced piston position measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary bearing condition assessment before full engine disassembly is required. By measuring bearing gap in-situ using the probe rod system, maintenance personnel can determine whether bearing damage is present and plan appropriate maintenance actions, avoiding unnecessary complete disassembly and reducing overall downtime
3Measurement precision
If a probe rod is used to measure piston position, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe rod serves multiple functions: it transmits applied pressure to the piston, measures piston position through its displacement, and provides a reference for calculating bearing gap. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, maintaining measurement precision while limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic pressure applied through the probe rod to move the piston and induce measurable displacement. This pneumatic approach provides controlled, repeatable forces that improve measurement precision while using simple pressure application mechanisms rather than complex mechanical actuation systems
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
Enables easy diagnosis of bearing damage without disassembling the engine by measuring height changes in the piston due to applied pressures, facilitating timely maintenance and reducing engine downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure generating device configured to selectively supply a positive pressure and a negative pressure, which have a certain pressure, to an interior of a cylinder
Implementation Method 2
a negative pressure generator configured to suction air thereinto to generate a negative pressure
Implementation Method 3
a displacement measuring device configured to penetrate a cylinder head and apply a force to pull or push a piston by a sequential generation of a positive pressure and a negative pressure in the cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing gap measuring device can measure a gap of a bearing to judge whether the bearing is damaged. The bearing gap measuring device includes: a pressure generating device configured to selectively supply a positive pressure and a negative pressure, which have a certain pressure, to an interior of a cylinder; and a displacement measuring device penetrating a cylinder head and applying a force to pull or push a piston by a sequential generation of a positive pressure and a negative pressure in the cylinder. In particular, the displacement measuring device includes a probe rod to contact with an upper face of the piston such that the probe rod is moved in a longitudinal direction to measure a height change amount of the piston.