Compressor Bearing Gap Adjustment for Tolerance and Axial Force Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bearing devices for compressors face challenges in maintaining a wide tolerance window for production, leading to complex and costly configurations, and often require stronger constructions to manage eccentric positions and axial forces.
Innovation Solution
A bearing device comprising fluid-dynamic radial and axial bearings with conically configured surfaces and adjustable gaps, where the first radial bearing element and first axial bearing element are torque-locked and situated rotatably, while the second radial and axial bearing elements are connected in a torque-locked and fixed manner, allowing for adjustable gap widths to minimize axial forces and eccentricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional bearing configurations are used, then the bearing device can support the rotor, but the tolerance window for production is narrow and the construction becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing device is divided into multiple independent bearing elements (first and second radial bearing elements, first and second axial bearing elements) that can be manufactured separately with standard tolerances and then assembled. This segmentation allows each element to be produced within conventional tolerance ranges while the overall system achieves the required precision through the specific arrangement and coupling of these elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing device incorporates adjustable gap widths between bearing elements, allowing the radial and axial gaps to be optimized after assembly. This dynamic adjustability compensates for manufacturing variations and enables the system to achieve optimal performance even when individual components are within standard tolerance ranges, thereby widening the effective production tolerance window.
2Reliability
If the radial bearing elements are positioned with tight tolerances to minimize eccentricity, then rotor support is improved, but production costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first axial bearing element acts as an intermediary component that couples the radial bearing elements in a torque-locked manner while allowing for minor misalignments. This intermediary element absorbs eccentricity variations and ensures stable rotor support even when the radial bearing elements are positioned with moderate tolerances, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows for optimization of the radial gap width as a key parameter. By adjusting this parameter within a defined range and compensating through the adjustable gap mechanism, the system achieves reliable rotor support without requiring the radial bearing elements to be manufactured with tight tolerances, thus reducing production costs and complexity.
3Reliability
If the axial bearing is constructed stronger to manage axial forces from radial bearing eccentricity, then bearing reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conical configuration of the radial bearing surfaces is designed to preemptively minimize the generation of axial forces due to eccentricity. By optimizing the cone angle and surface geometry, the system reduces the magnitude of axial forces before they are transmitted to the axial bearing, thereby allowing the axial bearing to be constructed with standard complexity rather than requiring strengthened construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable axial gap width allows the bearing device to dynamically adapt to operating conditions and minimize axial force transmission. By optimizing the gap width, the system reduces the load on the axial bearing, enabling reliable operation with a standard axial bearing construction rather than requiring an overly robust design.
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 configuration widens the tolerance window for production, simplifies the bearing design, reduces the need for stronger constructions, and ensures low friction support at high rotational speeds, making the compressor system more cost-effective and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
the bearing device comprises a fluid-dynamic radial bearing and a fluid-dynamic axial bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing device, a compressor and a method, in which a first radial bearing element is measured in at least the radial direction, an axial distance of the first axial bearing element from the first radial bearing element being measured, the second radial bearing element being measured in at least the radial direction, the first radial bearing element being positioned with respect to the second radial bearing element as a function of the predefined first width of the radial gap, the adjustment arrangement being situated in such a way that the axial gap has the predefined second width.