Electric Machine Rotor Shaft Bearing Arrangement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft gas turbine engines face challenges in reducing the complexity and weight of electric machine arrangements, particularly in supporting high-speed rotors that endure intense thermal and mechanical stresses, while conventional configurations are cumbersome and prone to increased bearing wear.
Innovation Solution
The rotor of the electric machine is supported at the free end of a shaft projecting from another device, with a bearing positioned intermediate the rotor's opposite radial sides, reducing the number of bearings and minimizing vibrations, weight, and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the rotor is supported at the free end of a shaft with a bearing positioned between the rotor's opposite radial sides, then the number of bearings is reduced and weight is minimized, but the reliability may be compromised due to fewer supporting bearings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple bearings into a single bearing positioned at the free end of the shaft. This bearing supports the rotor at a location between its opposite radial sides, merging the support function that would traditionally require multiple bearings distributed along the shaft, thereby reducing overall component count and weight while maintaining structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional linear arrangement of multiple bearings along the shaft to a single bearing positioned radially between opposite sides of the rotor. This dimensional repositioning allows the single bearing to provide support equivalent to multiple bearings by utilizing the rotor's radial geometry, reducing the number of components needed.
2Speed
If conventional electric machine arrangements are used in aircraft gas turbine engines, then the accessories can operate at high speeds, but the complexity and weight of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shaft support function with the rotor mounting function by positioning the bearing at the free end of the shaft where it simultaneously supports the shaft and mounts the rotor. This integration eliminates the need for separate support structures and multiple bearings, reducing device complexity while enabling high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate support structures from conventional electric machine arrangements. By using a single bearing at the free end of the shaft, the design removes redundant components that would otherwise be needed to support the rotor along the shaft length, thereby reducing complexity.
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 allows for high-speed operation with reduced parts, weight savings, and increased reliability by minimizing the number of bearings, which is crucial in adverse conditions like those found in gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
the rotor being configured and disposed to be coaxially positioned at a free end of a shaft projecting from another device, the free end of the shaft being adjacent to a bearing of the other device
Data Source
AI summary
The electric machine comprises a rotor configured and disposed to be attached at the free end of a shaft of another device, which free end is adjacent to at least one bearing coaxially mounted around the shaft and positioned intermediate opposite radial sides of the rotor.