Compressor Module Gear Support Layout for Thermal Elongation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing driving machine modules in marine facilities are hindered in size reduction due to the lateral protrusion of the storage tank, which is typically placed on the outside surface of the base plate, leading to space constraints and potential misalignment issues caused by thermal elongation.
Innovation Solution
The storage tank is arranged below the gear part, with a gear support and tank support system that allows for horizontal movement and deformation absorption, preventing positional shifts and misalignment through gear and tank guide grooves and shim members, enabling efficient size reduction while maintaining operational stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the storage tank is arranged on the outside surface of the base plate, then the storage tank can be easily installed and accessed, but the driving machine module size increases due to lateral protrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tank is relocated from a lateral arrangement on the outside surface of the base plate to a vertical arrangement below the gear part. This dimensional change from horizontal to vertical placement eliminates lateral protrusion and reduces the overall footprint of the driving machine module while maintaining accessibility for installation and maintenance.
2Volume of moving object
If the storage tank is arranged below the gear part to reduce size, then the driving machine module size is reduced, but thermal elongation causes positional shifts of the gear part
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates adjustable parameters through shim members that can be inserted or removed to compensate for thermal elongation. By changing the thickness parameter of the shim members, the system adapts to temperature-induced dimensional changes and maintains precise positioning of the gear part relative to the storage tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure transitions from a rigid fixed connection to a dynamic adjustable connection using shims. This allows the system to adapt its positioning in response to thermal elongation, maintaining operational precision despite temperature variations during operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If rigid support is used to prevent thermal elongation shifts, then position accuracy is maintained, but the system cannot accommodate thermal expansion and generates stress
Solution Approach 1:
Shim members are introduced as intermediary elements between the storage tank and the gear support structure. These shims act as mediators that absorb thermal stress through their compressibility and adjustability, preventing the transmission of harmful thermal forces to the gear part while maintaining positional accuracy through precise thickness selection.
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 a compact design by managing thermal elongation-induced shifts, ensuring accurate positioning and reducing the impact of thermal expansion on the gear and compressor, thus effectively minimizing the overall size of the driving machine module.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature of the storage tank itself rises and the storage tank generates thermal elongation
Implementation Method 2
The gear key member slides along the gear guide groove once the storage tank is deformed in the horizontal direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A compressor module (1) is provided with: a driving machine (2) that has an output shaft (21) driven to rotate about an axis; a gear part (4) having at least a first gear (43) that rotates integrally with the output shaft (21) and a second gear (44) that rotates integrally with an input shaft (31) of a load device (3); a storage tank (6) that is arranged below the gear part (4) in the vertical direction so as to support the gear part (4) and that stores lubricating oil; a base plate (5) that supports the driving machine (2) and the storage tank (6); and a gear support part (80) that supports the gear part (4) with respect to the storage tank (6) so as to be relatively movable in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction.