Hybrid Bearing System for Reducing Radial Thrust Loads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current turbomachines face challenges such as high expense and complexity of magnetic bearings, scaling issues with foil bearings, high power consumption of hydrostatic bearings, and decreased reliability under high loads, making them unsuitable for large machines.
Innovation Solution
A turbomachine design incorporating a hybrid bearing system with a magnetic thrust bearing and axially floating radial bearings mounted on a flexible flexure, which reduces thrust loads on radial bearings and allows the magnetic thrust bearing to carry axial loads, enabling a more cost-effective and reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic bearings are used in turbomachines, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing system is segmented into two distinct functional components: a magnetic thrust bearing that handles only axial loads, and conventional radial bearings that handle radial loads. This segmentation allows each bearing type to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability through specialized design.
2Ease of manufacture
If foil bearings are used in turbomachines, then expense is reduced, but scaling problems occur making large machines unfeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hybrid bearing system where conventional radial bearings provide universal support for both small and large turbomachine applications. This multi-functional approach allows the same radial bearing design to scale across different machine sizes, overcoming the scaling limitations of foil bearings while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
3Reliability
If hydrostatic bearings are used in turbomachines, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the active control system from the radial bearing support function, using passive magnetic and mechanical elements instead. The magnetic thrust bearing provides active axial support only where needed, while radial support is achieved through passive floating mounting, eliminating the high power consumption associated with fully active hydrostatic bearing systems.
4Productivity
If ball bearings are operated under high loads, then productivity is maintained, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different load-handling capabilities to different bearing locations. The magnetic thrust bearing is specifically designed to handle high axial loads, while radial bearings operate within their optimal load ranges. This localized specialization allows the system to maintain high productivity under high loads without compromising reliability.
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 design achieves cost and performance savings by enabling the production of smaller turbomachines with higher thrust loads and tighter clearance, while maintaining reliability and reducing complexity compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic thrust bearing (128) to reduce thrust loads on the radial bearings (54)
Implementation Method 2
mounting the radial bearings (54) for axial movement on a flexible flexure (98)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A turbomachine includes a housing and a rotatable shaft, where at least a portion of the rotatable shaft is located in the housing. The turbomachine also includes a magnetic thrust bearing that axially positions the rotatable shaft and a radial bearing that centers the rotatable shaft. The turbomachine includes a flexure including a first portion secured to the housing and a second portion axially moveable relative to the first portion. The second portion of the flexure is connected to the radial bearing, and the second portion moves axially to eliminate thrust loads on the radial bearing and allow the magnetic thrust bearing to carry axial loads.