Divided Foil Thrust Bearing Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The load capacity of existing foil laminated fluid thrust bearings decreases due to increased temperature of the fluid film caused by viscous heat generation, especially at high relative speeds between the thrust bearing and the rotary member.
Innovation Solution
The thrust bearing is designed with an upper foil portion divided into multiple portions and a lower foil portion that elastically supports the upper foil portion, featuring a complex structure with underlay, support, and pad foil portions, and connection members to manage stiffness and deflection effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the top foil portion is formed from a single member, then the structure is simple, but the temperature of the fluid film increases and the load capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The top foil portion is divided into multiple independent foils (first top foil, second top foil, third top foil) instead of using a single monolithic structure. Each foil can deflect independently to accommodate thermal expansion and maintain optimal fluid film thickness, preventing temperature rise and preserving load capacity at high speeds.
2Reliability
If the upper foil portion is divided into multiple portions, then the load capacity is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple top foils are combined within a single integrated structure that includes a common support portion. The foils share the support infrastructure while maintaining independent deflection capabilities, achieving the benefits of segmentation without proportionally increasing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin foil structures that are inherently flexible and capable of elastic deformation. This flexibility allows the divided foils to adapt to thermal effects and maintain optimal performance without requiring complex rigid support mechanisms, thereby managing complexity while preserving load capacity.
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 effectively suppresses the decrease in load capacity by managing the temperature of the fluid film and maintaining the planarity of the bearing surface, even at high speeds, thereby enhancing the thrust bearing's performance.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature of the fluid film is likely to increase and the load capacity of the thrust bearing is likely to decrease due to an increase in temperature of the fluid film caused by viscous heat generation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a thrust bearing. The thrust bearing includes an upper foil portion including a bearing surface that faces a rotary member rotatable about a rotation axis, and a lower foil portion that elastically supports the upper foil portion. The upper foil portion is divided into a plurality of portions.