Flexible Bearing Holder for Centrifugal Separator Preload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal separators for cleaning gas from internal combustion engines require a complex setup with multiple components to achieve axial pre-load for bearings, which increases manufacturing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal separator design that uses a flexible bearing holder with radial spokes to provide axial pre-load, eliminating the need for a compression spring and reducing the number of components, with the bearing holder being pre-tensioned to maintain constant contact between bearing parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid bearing holder with compression spring is used to provide axial pre-load, then bearing pre-load is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the bearing holder and the pre-load providing mechanism into a single integrated flexible bearing holder component. The holder is designed with flexible material or structure that inherently provides the necessary axial pre-load through its elasticity, eliminating the need for separate compression springs and reducing the total component count while maintaining reliable bearing pre-load
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the bearing holder from rigid to flexible. By selecting flexible material or designing a flexible structure, the holder can elastically deform to provide continuous axial pre-load on the bearing, replacing the mechanical spring system with a material property-based solution
2Reliability
If multiple components are used for bearing support, then bearing function is ensured, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple previously separate components (bearing holder, mounting structure, and pre-load mechanism) into a single flexible bearing holder component. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of parts to be produced, stored, and assembled, while still ensuring proper bearing function through the flexible holder's inherent elastic properties
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
Simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and maintains effective separation of liquid contaminants from gas by ensuring constant bearing pre-load without external loads, enhancing the separator's operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
said at least one bearing holder is flexible when dismounted from said centrifugal separator and arranged in said centrifugal separator with a pre-tension to provide said axial preload of the at least one bearing
Implementation Method 2
a centrifugal separator for cleaning gas containing contaminants... a rotating member comprising a plurality of separation members arranged in said separation space and being arranged to rotate around an axis (X) of rotation
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention provides a centrifugal separator (1) for cleaning gas containing contaminants. The separator comprises a stationary casing (2), enclosing a separation space (3) through which a gas flow is permitted, a gas inlet (20) extending through the stationary casing (2) and permitting supply of the gas to be cleaned, a rotating member (7) comprising a plurality of separation members (9) arranged in said separation space (3) and being arranged to rotate around an axis (X) of rotation, said rotating member (7) being journaled within the stationary casing (2) via at least one bearing retained in a bearing holder. The centrifugal separator further comprises a gas outlet (28) arranged in the stationary casing (2) and configured to permit discharge of cleaned gas and comprising an outlet opening through a wall of the stationary casing (2), a drainage outlet (29) arranged in the stationary casing (2) and configured to permit discharge of liquid contaminants separated from the gas to be cleaned and a drive member (22) for rotating the rotating member (7). The at least one bearing is mounted with an axial preload in said separator and the at least one bearing holder is flexible when dismounted from said separator and arranged in said centrifugal separator with a pre-tension to provide said axial preload of the at least one bearing