Double Row Thrust Bearing Load Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double row thrust bearings face challenges in increasing load capacity without expanding their spatial envelope, particularly in high-demand applications like the oil and gas industry, where thrust loads have increased while bearing size remains constant.
Innovation Solution
A double row thrust bearing design featuring inner and outer conical raceways with tapered rollers, where the apices of the rollers converge at a single point, utilizing specific diameter and angle relationships to maximize load carrying capacity, as defined by the equations Di ≥ cosα cosβ and optimized roller aspect ratios and numbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the number of rollers or roller diameter is increased to improve load carrying capacity, then the load carrying capacity is improved, but the spatial envelope of the bearing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single row of rollers to a double row configuration, utilizing the radial dimension to arrange rollers in two concentric rows. This dimensional change allows the bearing to support increased loads without increasing the overall axial width of the bearing, effectively resolving the contradiction between load capacity and spatial envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner row of rollers is nested within the outer row of rollers, with both rows sharing the same axial space. The inner rollers are positioned concentrically within the bearing, allowing maximum utilization of the available radial and axial dimensions without increasing the external envelope of the bearing.
2Ease of operation
If the contact radius is reduced to achieve pure rolling motion, then the rolling motion is improved, but the load carrying capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing a second row of rollers in the radial dimension, the patent compensates for the reduced load capacity of individual rollers with smaller contact radii. The combined load capacity of multiple rollers in two rows exceeds that of single-row designs, allowing pure rolling motion to be maintained while achieving higher overall load capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The load carrying function is segmented across multiple rollers arranged in two rows, rather than relying on fewer rollers with larger contact radii. This segmentation allows each roller to operate with optimal contact geometry for pure rolling motion while the collective arrangement provides enhanced load capacity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A double row thrust bearing assembly (10) includes a bottom plate (11) having inner and outer conical raceways (12, 13), a top plate (14) with a flat raceway (15), and respective sets of identically formed inner and outer rollers (16, 17) mounted on respective inner and outer cages (18, 19). When the bearing is fully assembled, the apices of the inner and outer rollers directed at the same point (A) on an axis (X) of the bearing. Various relationships with respect to the size and shapes of the rollers are determined in order to maximize the bearing assembly's load carrying capacity while occupying the same spatial envelope as that of a single row thrust bearing assembly (BA) which can only support a lesser load.