Calibration Gauge Installation Using Support Drum

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing stress gauge calibration installations for turbomachine shaft guide bearing blocks face misalignment issues due to frequent disassembly and reassembly, which compromises calibration quality.

Innovation Solution

The proposed installation uses a support drum to connect the internal roller bearing ring with the drive shaft and axial stress application means, allowing for limited disassembly of components, ensuring proper repositioning and reducing misalignment by using a key or spline coupling and a roller bearing for axial load resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the internal ring is mounted directly on the central shaft and disassembled for calibration, then the gauge can be calibrated with different internal rings, but the alignment of installation components is modified causing calibration quality to deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to use different internal rings for calibrationVSAvoidalignment precision of installation components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A support drum is introduced as an intermediary component between the internal ring and the central shaft. The support drum remains mounted on the shaft while the internal ring is removed and reinstalled on the drum, preserving the alignment of the drum-shaft connection while allowing ring replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system is segmented into three separate components: the central shaft, the support drum, and the internal ring. This segmentation allows the drum to remain fixed on the shaft while the ring is removed and reinstalled, preventing alignment issues in the permanent shaft-drum connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If frequent disassembly and reassembly is performed to replace calibration parts, then different internal rings can be used for calibration, but misalignment of components occurs reducing calibration quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to replace internal rings for different calibration conditionsVSAvoidcalibration quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support drum serves as a stable intermediary that remains fixed on the central shaft during all calibration operations. By keeping the drum permanently mounted and only removing/reinstalling the internal ring on the drum, the alignment reference point is preserved across multiple calibration cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support drum is pre-mounted and aligned on the central shaft before calibration begins. This preliminary alignment action is performed only once, and subsequent internal ring replacements occur on the already-aligned drum, preventing repeated alignment disturbances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the internal ring is directly connected to the drive shaft and stress application means, then the structure is simpler, but complete disassembly is required for ring replacement causing misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicity of connection systemVSAvoidalignment precision after reassembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into two segments: a permanent segment (drum-shaft connection) and a temporary segment (ring-drum connection). The permanent segment maintains alignment, while the temporary segment allows easy ring replacement without affecting overall alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support drum acts as a mediator that provides a stable mounting interface on the shaft while offering a removable interface for the internal ring. This mediation allows the ring to be replaced without disturbing the precise shaft connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design minimizes component misalignment and maintains calibration quality by keeping essential elements connected to the support drum, facilitating efficient reassembly and precise stress application during gauge calibration.

Implementation Method 1

the means of connecting the support drum with the axial stress application means comprise a roller bearing capable of resisting an axial load arranged between the support drum and the axial stress application means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRoller bearing: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 2

the means of coupling the support drum with the drive shaft are of the key or spline type

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKey coupling: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS9163662B2Installation of calibration gauge for measuring constraints

Publication Date: 2015.10.20 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS

AI summary

An installation for calibration of a stress gauge for an external bearing block of a turbomachine roller bearing, the bearing block including a radially internal roller bearing race. The installation includes a support table on which the bearing block is attached; an internal roller bearing ring mounted coaxial with the bearing block; a drive shaft driving the ring. The installation also includes a device for applying an axial stress to the bearing block including a support drum on which the internal ring is removably fixed and a connection with the device for applying the axial stress.