Cantilevered Stator Balancing Tooling for Precise Rotor Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional balancing machines are inadequate for large turbomachine modules due to handling constraints, risk of damage during installation, and the need for manual adjustments, which increases the duration of balancing operations and poses risks of inappropriate rotor-stator contact.
Innovation Solution
A balancing machine tool with a stator support, tubular false bearing, guide sleeve, and adjustable plates that securely support and position the turbomachine module, allowing for secure transport, installation, and balancing without manual adjustments, using a calibration assembly with a standard rotor to adjust the tooling for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional direct mounting of stator and rotor in balancing machine is used, then handling is simple for small modules, but large modules cannot be safely handled and installed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stator support as an intermediary device between the balancing machine table and the stator. This stator support includes a stator mounting plate with positioning features and a stator securing mechanism, allowing large turbomachine modules to be safely handled and installed without direct manual manipulation, thus resolving the contradiction between handling simplicity and safe installation for large modules.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustments are performed during module installation, then positioning can be achieved, but the duration of balancing operations increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary positioning features directly into the stator support structure, including positioning plates with locating pins and pre-configured mounting holes. These features enable the stator and rotor to be automatically positioned correctly during installation without requiring manual adjustments, thus achieving both positioning accuracy and increased balancing operation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The stator support system includes self-aligning features where the positioning plates and locating pins automatically guide the stator into the correct position relative to the rotor during installation. This self-service positioning mechanism eliminates the need for operator intervention and manual adjustments, simultaneously ensuring positioning accuracy and reducing operation time.
3Reliability
If multiple interfaces are used for module support, then secure transport is achieved, but the complexity of tooling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the stator support as a multi-functional device that combines several functions into a single integrated structure. The stator mounting plate serves simultaneously as a positioning element, a securing surface, and a support structure. This universal design achieves secure transport of large modules while minimizing tooling complexity by reducing the number of separate components and interfaces required.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tool for balancing a turbomachine module (10) in a balancing machine (12), said module comprising a stator (14), a rotor (16), and a shaft (18), said balancing machine (12) comprising at least one drive unit (24) and a table (26) provided with two supports (28, 30) for the shaft (18) of the module (10), characterized in that said tool comprises at least: - a stator support (32), fixed to the table (26) of the balancing machine (12) behind the supports (28, 30), - a tubular sub-bearing (38), configured to carry a guide bearing (40) of the rotor (16) in the stator (14) and projecting out of the stator (14), - a guide sleeve (44) for the shaft (18), enclosing a bearing surface (42) of the sub-bearing (38), and received on the supports (28, 30) of the balancer (12), - a rear plate (52) for supporting the stator (14), fixed to the stator support (32), and immobilizing the rotor (16) relative to the stator (14),- a front plate (54) for supporting the stator (14), fixed to the stator support (32), and immobilizing and centering the false bearing (38).