Flywheel Radial Vibration Isolator for Bearing Impact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed rotating machinery, such as flywheels, experience significant vibrations due to misalignment of the center of mass with the axial center, leading to premature wear and failure of bearings, and these vibrations propagate through the device and structure, causing noise and reducing operational lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A rotational vibration isolator with curved arms having a tapered profile and a swept back orientation is used to align the center of mass with the axial center, reducing the impact on bearings by compressing and decompressing with each rotation, thereby minimizing vibration transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If balancing is performed by adding or removing weight from the rotating component, then impact loading on bearings is reduced, but center of mass misalignment with axial center cannot be completely eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a curved arm as an intermediary element between the rotating component and the bearing. The curved arm flexes and deforms to absorb and compensate for center of mass misalignment, acting as a mediator that protects the bearing from impact loading while allowing for manufacturing tolerances in the rotating component's balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and geometry of the curved arm, transforming it from a rigid structure to a flexible component with specific curvature and thickness variations. This parameter change enables the curved arm to dynamically adapt to misalignment through elastic deformation, compensating for manufacturing imprecision in the rotating component.
2Productivity
If the rotating machinery operates at high speeds (1800 or 3600 RPM), then productivity is improved, but vibration and impact loading increase, reducing bearing life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the curved arm with varying thickness along its length, creating a flexible structure that dynamically responds to high-speed rotation. The curved arm's elastic deformation characteristics allow it to absorb vibrations and impact loads generated at high operating speeds, protecting the bearing while maintaining productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If tolerance of 0.001 inch is achieved in balancing, then impact loading is greatly reduced, but some vibration and noise propagation remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of center of mass misalignment into a beneficial function. The curved arm is designed to flex and deform in response to misalignment, transforming the harmful vibration and impact into controlled elastic deformation of the curved arm, thereby protecting the bearing and reducing vibration propagation to other equipment.
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 rotational vibration isolator effectively isolates misalignment-induced vibrations, extending the lifespan of bearings and reducing maintenance costs, while maintaining high-speed operation without environmental drawbacks.
Implementation Method 1
a first rotational vibration isolator operatively associated with the first spindle and the first bearing; and a second rotational vibration isolator operatively associated with the second spindle and the second bearing
Implementation Method 2
reducing the impact on bearings by compressing and decompressing with each rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A flywheel system including a flywheel assembly having a top plate, a bottom plate, a housing, and a flywheel suspended within the housing between the top plate and the bottom plate, a first spindle operatively associated with the flywheel and the bottom plate, a first bearing, secured in the bottom plate and configured to receive a portion of the first spindle, a second spindle operatively associated with the flywheel and the top plate, a second bearing, secured in the top plate and configured to receive a portion of the second spindle, a first rotational vibration isolator operatively associated with the first spindle and the first bearing, and a second rotational vibration isolator operatively associated with the second spindle and the second bearing, the first rotational vibration isolator and second rotational vibration isolator align the center of mass of the flywheel with an axial centerline of the flywheel.