Compressor Bearing Damper With Axial Damping and Radial Constraint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Compressor devices experience axial vibrations and resonances at high rotational speeds, leading to dynamic issues and reduced service life due to the inability of existing solutions to effectively dampen these vibrations without increasing costs or complexity.

Innovation Solution

A bearing damper system comprising a coupling element and damping elastomer material is installed between the compressor device bearing and housing, allowing minimal radial movement while providing significant axial flexibility to absorb and dampen vibrations, thereby reducing axial resonances and extending the service life of the bearing system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heavier bearings are used to achieve sufficient stiffness, then axial vibration resistance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial vibration resistanceVSAvoidbearing weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing damper combines a rigid coupling element (metal) with a flexible damping element (elastomer material), creating a composite structure that provides both radial stiffness and axial vibration damping. This resolves the contradiction by using material composition rather than simply increasing bearing weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing damper applies different mechanical properties to different directions: the coupling element provides radial stiffness while the damping element provides axial flexibility. This anisotropic design allows the bearing to be stiff where needed (radially) and compliant where beneficial (axially), avoiding the need for heavier bearings throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a flexible coupling is used to provide dynamic decoupling and damping, then axial vibration damping is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial vibration dampingVSAvoidcoupling structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing damper merges the functions of radial constraint and axial damping into a single integrated component installed at the bearing location. This combines what would traditionally be separate elements (rigid bearing support and flexible damping element) into one unit, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing damper serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides radial positioning through the coupling element, axial vibration damping through the elastomer material, and acts as a mounting structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate flexible coupling components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a flexible coupling is used to dampen excitations, then vibration damping is improved, but maintenance requirements increase due to wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration dampingVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element uses elastomer material that can be designed as a replaceable component. When the damping element wears or degrades, only this specific element needs replacement rather than the entire bearing or coupling assembly, reducing maintenance costs and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows the damping element to be periodically replaced when it reaches the end of its service life, while the rigid coupling element and bearing structure can be retained and reused. This selective replacement strategy extends the overall system service life while maintaining vibration damping performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

The bearing damper effectively dampens axial vibrations, preventing resonance-induced damage and vibration propagation, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing maintenance costs by allowing for adjustable damping and stiffness properties.

Implementation Method 1

at least one damping element made of a damping elastomer material, wherein the damping element is configured to dampen the axial movement of the bearing in relation to the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

the flexible material to absorb deformations, thus dampening the resonances

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12012960B2Compressor device and device equipped with a bearing damper

Publication Date: 2024.06.18 ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER NV

AI summary

Compressor device provided with at least one compressor element and a drive for the compressor element, wherein all bearings of at least one shaft in the compressor device configured to carry static axial load, are provided with a bearing damper which comprises a coupling element and at least one damping element made of damping elastomer material. The bearing damper is installed with the aid of the coupling element between a bearing of the compressor device and the housing of the compressor device. The coupling element allows little or no movement of the bearing relative to the housing the radial direction compared to the axial direction. The damping element is configured to dampen the axial movement of the bearing relative to the housing.