Flexible Coupling Bearing Assembly for Shaft Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power transmission couplings struggle to accommodate both axial and angular misalignment between rotating shafts, particularly in high-torque applications like aircraft transmission devices, where thermal expansion causes misalignment, leading to potential mechanical failure and energy disruption.
Innovation Solution
A flexible coupling system comprising a diaphragm assembly, a sleeve, a stud, and a self-aligning ball bearing system with an arced outer race, allowing axial movement of ball bearings to accommodate angular misalignment between the shafts while preventing axial elongation or compression, ensuring continuous torque transmission and thermal expansion accommodation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a rigid coupling is used to transmit high torque, then power transmission capability is improved, but the coupling cannot accommodate angular misalignment between shafts
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into multiple functional segments: a diaphragm assembly with flexible elements for angular misalignment accommodation, a bearing assembly for axial movement control, and torque transmission elements. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one function while working together to achieve both high torque transmission and misalignment accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm assembly incorporates flexible diaphragms that can bend and deform to accommodate angular misalignment between shafts while still transmitting torque. These flexible elements provide the necessary compliance without compromising the overall structural integrity or torque transmission capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible coupling is used to accommodate angular misalignment, then adaptability is improved, but torque transmission capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling employs composite construction combining rigid components (sleeve, stud, bearing races) for torque transmission with flexible components (diaphragms) for misalignment accommodation. This composite approach allows the rigid elements to handle high torque while the flexible elements provide the necessary adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly incorporates an outer race with an arced shape when viewed in the circumferential direction, allowing axial movement of ball bearings to accommodate angular misalignment. The curved geometry enables the bearing to absorb rotational deviations while maintaining torque transmission pathways.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling allows axial movement to accommodate thermal expansion, then adaptability is improved, but axial stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly acts as an intermediary element between the driving and driven shafts, allowing controlled axial movement to accommodate thermal expansion while maintaining overall axial stability. The bearing races and balls provide a mediated interface that permits limited displacement without compromising positional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system where the bearing assembly can adjust its configuration in response to thermal expansion. The ball bearings can move axially within the arced outer race, providing dynamic adaptation while maintaining stable torque transmission.
4Adaptability or versatility
If ball bearings are allowed to move axially to accommodate misalignment, then angular adaptability is improved, but axial elongation or suppression occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly allows ball bearings to move in the axial dimension to accommodate angular misalignment, while the arced outer race geometry constrains this movement to prevent excessive axial elongation or suppression. The curved path provides a geometric solution that permits necessary movement in one dimension while limiting it in another.
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
The coupling effectively transmits rotational energy between misaligned shafts, preventing mechanical failure by allowing independent radial movement and accommodating thermal expansion, ensuring reliable power transmission and reducing the risk of flailing shafts.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing assembly in operable communication with the first shaft and the second shaft configured to allow but limit axial movement as well as angular misalignment between the first shaft and the second shaft. The bearing assembly further including a first row of ball bearings axially displaced from a second row of ball bearings with both the first row and second row of ball bearings being positioned between an inner race and an outer race and the outer race defining an arc extending axially between the first row and the second row of ball bearings to provide for axial movement of the first row and second row of ball bearings relative to the outer race
Implementation Method 2
at least one diaphragm in operable communication with the first shaft and the second shaft configured to allow torque to be transmitted between the first shaft and the second shaft while allowing for axial movement and angular misalignment between the first shaft and the second shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling includes a diaphragm assembly, a sleeve, a stud, and a ball bearing system. The diaphragm assembly includes a first end, a second end, and an opening extending axially through the diaphragm assembly with the diaphragm assembly also including a first annular diaphragm pair. The sleeve extends into the opening and has a bore. The stud extends at least partially within the bore of the sleeve and within the opening. The ball bearing system is concentric with and radially between the sleeve and the stud with the ball bearing having an outer race adjacent to the sleeve, an inner race adjacent to the stud, and at least two rows of ball therebetween with the outer race having an arced shape when viewed in a circumferential direction to allow for axial movement of the at least two rows of ball bearings relative to the outer race.