Aircraft Motor Bearing Support With Axial Channels for Radial Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible bearing supports for aircraft motors do not adequately accommodate radial shifts between rotating and stationary structures, necessitating improvements for better performance and durability.
Innovation Solution
A flexible support assembly featuring an inner and outer ring with a bridge and axial channels, allowing for radial movement and attachment to a stationary structure through interference fits or bonding, with optional fluid passages for lubrication and a fuse for load management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rigid bearing support is used, then manufacturing precision and structural stability are improved, but the ability to accommodate radial shifts between rotating and stationary structures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing support is divided into multiple segments including an inner ring, outer ring, and bridge structure. The bridge contains axial channels that allow relative movement between the inner and outer rings, enabling the support to accommodate radial shifts while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing support transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic one by incorporating axial channels within the bridge that permit controlled radial movement. This dynamic design allows the support to adapt to radial shifts between rotating and stationary structures while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible bearing support is used, then radial shift accommodation is improved, but vibration transmission and structural stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the bearing support have different properties: the inner and outer rings provide structural stability, while the bridge with axial channels provides flexibility for radial movement. This local differentiation allows the support to accommodate radial shifts without excessive vibration transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing support employs a composite structure combining rigid elements (inner ring, outer ring) with flexible elements (bridge with axial channels). This composite design enables simultaneous achievement of radial shift accommodation and vibration control through the interplay of rigid and flexible components.
3Strength
If the bridge axial thickness is increased, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility and radial movement capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge is designed with axial channels that extend in the axial dimension, allowing radial movement capability to be maintained or improved without compromising strength. The channels provide a pathway for movement while the bridge material surrounding the channels maintains structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge incorporates thin-walled axial channels that provide flexibility for radial movement while maintaining sufficient structural strength. The channel walls act as flexible elements that can deform to accommodate radial shifts without compromising overall bridge strength.
4Strength
If interference fits or bonding are used for attachment, then connection strength is improved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing support is segmented into an inner ring, outer ring, and bridge, with the outer ring designed as a separate attachment component. This segmentation allows the outer ring to be independently attached to the stationary structure using interference fits or bonding, simplifying assembly while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer ring serves as an intermediary component between the bearing assembly and the stationary structure. It provides a dedicated attachment interface that can be separately manufactured and attached, reducing overall assembly complexity while ensuring strong connection through interference fits or bonding.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly is provided for an aircraft motor. The assembly includes a bearing, a stationary structure and a flexible support. The bearing extends circumferentially around an axis. The stationary structure circumscribes the bearing. The flexible support is arranged radially between the bearing and the stationary structure. The flexible support includes an inner ring, an outer ring, a bridge, an open first channel and an open second channel. The inner ring radially engages the bearing. The outer ring radially engages the stationary structure. The bridge projects radially out from the inner ring to the outer ring. The bridge extends circumferentially about the inner ring. The open first channel extends axially into the flexible support from a first side of the flexible support to the bridge. The open second channel extends axially into the flexible support from a second side of the flexible support to the bridge.