Centering Spring Mounting Tabs for Compact Rotational Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methodologies for securing a centering spring to a static structure in rotational equipment, such as gas turbine engines, face challenges as the physical size of these engines decreases, requiring improved methods for effective mounting and centering.
Innovation Solution
The assembly includes a centering spring with a static mounting portion, a bearing mounting portion, and a spring portion, along with a lock ring and retainer ring, which utilize angled slots and tabs to securely mount and center the bearing relative to the static structure, allowing for efficient load transfer and reduced spatial requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional mounting methods are used for centering spring, then mounting reliability is maintained, but device size increases and spatial efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting tabs are integrated directly into the centering spring structure, with tabs extending from the spring body to engage with slots in the static structure. This nesting approach eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets or fasteners, reducing overall device volume while maintaining secure mounting through direct structural integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering spring combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides spring loading, radial centering, and structural mounting through integrated tabs. By merging the mounting function directly into the spring structure rather than using separate mounting hardware, the patent reduces device size while ensuring reliable attachment to the static structure.
2Volume of moving object
If compact mounting structure is used, then spatial efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centering spring is designed with distinct functional segments: the spring body, radially extending mounting tabs, and slot engagement features. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard spring manufacturing processes, then assembled by simply engaging the tabs with slots, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting tabs serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural attachment to the static structure, enable radial centering through slot engagement, and maintain the spring loading function. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, improving spatial efficiency while using conventional manufacturing techniques for each functional element.
Data Source
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AI summary
An assembly (30) is provided for a piece of rotational equipment with an axis (32). This assembly (30) includes a static structure (34), a bearing (38) within a bore of the static structure (34), and a centering spring (40) mounting the bearing (38) to the static structure (34). The static structure (34) is configured with the bore, a slot, a first slot surface and a second slot surface. The slot extends radially into the static structure (34) from the bore. The slot extends axially within the static structure (34) between the first slot surface and the second slot surface. The centering spring (40) includes an annular hub and a mounting tab. The annular hub is within the bore. The mounting tab projects radially from the annular hub into the slot.