Grooved Thrust Runner Cooling in Foil Thrust Bearings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thrust runners in turbo devices experience overheating due to high-speed rotation, leading to potential damage and operational issues, with existing cooling methods either increasing costs or having low efficiency when integrating additional cooling equipment or forming a cooling gas flow path in the base plate.
Innovation Solution
The thrust supporting apparatus incorporates grooves on the surface of the thrust runner, designed to facilitate the flow of a cooling gas, with spiral or straight configurations that minimize resistance and ensure efficient cooling without the need for additional cooling equipment, by forming grooves on both surfaces of the thrust runner to enhance gas flow and contact with the top foil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate cooling device is added to cool the thrust runner, then the cooling effect is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged with the existing thrust bearing structure by forming flow paths directly in the base plate. The thrust bearing housing serves dual purposes: supporting the thrust load and providing cooling channels, eliminating the need for separate cooling devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate of the thrust bearing is designed to perform multiple functions: structural support for the thrust load and heat dissipation through integrated cooling flow paths. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective cooling.
2Temperature
If a flow path of cooling gas is formed in the base plate of the foil thrust bearing, then the cooling effect is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling flow path is segmented into multiple channels within the base plate, allowing cooling gas to distribute evenly across different regions. This segmentation improves cooling efficiency while the channels are formed using standard manufacturing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system utilizes gas flow through hydraulic/pneumatic channels formed in the base plate. The flow paths are designed to optimize gas circulation and heat removal using fluid dynamics principles, achieving effective cooling through conventional manufacturing methods.
3Power
If the thrust runner rotates at high speed, then the power transmission capability is improved, but the temperature rises due to friction and air resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling gas flows continuously through the base plate channels as the thrust runner rotates, providing uninterrupted heat removal. The continuous circulation of cooling gas matches the continuous heat generation from high-speed rotation, maintaining thermal balance during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate with its integrated cooling channels serves as an intermediary between the heat-generating thrust runner and the cooling gas. It transfers heat from the thrust runner to the cooling medium, enabling effective thermal management during high-speed operation.
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 solution effectively cools the thrust runner, preventing overheating and maintaining operational integrity without the installation of additional cooling equipment, by optimizing gas flow and contact with the thrust runner, thus enhancing the cooling efficiency and reducing the risk of damage.
Implementation Method 1
a flow path of a cooling gas is formed in a thrust runner to cool the thrust runner
Data Source
AI summary
A thrust supporting apparatus includes: a thrust runner configured to rotate integrally with a shaft; and a foil thrust bearing supporting an axial load of the shaft, the axial load being transmitted from the thrust runner. The foil thrust bearing includes a top foil facing a first surface of the thrust runner, and the thrust runner comprises first one or more grooves formed on the first surface.