Hydrostatic Vertical Support for Rotating Shafts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vertical support devices for rotating shafts face challenges in managing strong axial loads, eccentricities, and dynamic imbalances, particularly at high speeds, with high energy dissipation and unsuitability for loads exceeding tens of tons, and are not cost-effective.

Innovation Solution

A vertical support device utilizing a hydrostatic system with a rotating and floating plate, magnetic oil, and a cooling circuit, featuring a hemispherical cap and bearing track configuration that maintains an oil separating film for low energy dispersion, capable of supporting high loads with minimal energy loss and adaptability to resonant frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional sliding and rolling systems are used for supporting rotating shafts, then the structure is simple and manufacturing cost is low, but energy dissipation is high and they are unsuitable for strong axial loads exceeding tens of tons

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy dissipationVSAvoidaxial load capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a hydrostatic bearing system that uses pressurized fluid (oil) to support the rotating shaft. The fluid pressure generates a lifting force that counteracts strong axial loads, enabling the system to handle loads exceeding tens of tons while maintaining low energy dissipation through fluid film separation between bearing surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operating parameters by introducing pressurized fluid into the bearing system, transforming it from a contact-based mechanical support to a fluid-film-based hydrostatic support. This parameter change enables simultaneous achievement of high load capacity and low energy dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If active magnetic bearing systems are used for high speeds, then energy dissipation is reduced and there is absence of contact between parts, but manufacturing cost is high and they are complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy dissipationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a hydrostatic bearing system with fluid pressure generation instead of complex magnetic field systems. The bearing consists of simple components including a bearing surface, fluid supply system, and pressure regulation mechanism, achieving low energy dissipation without the complexity of active magnetic bearings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Loss of energy

If conventional hydrostatic supports are used, then energy dissipation is reduced, but they are unsuitable for supporting eccentric and unbalanced loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy dissipationVSAvoidcapability to support eccentric loads
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic hydrostatic bearing system where the fluid pressure distribution automatically adapts to eccentric and unbalanced loads. The bearing design includes features that allow the fluid film to redistribute pressure dynamically, maintaining stable support under varying load conditions including eccentricities and vibrational imbalances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fluid pressure parameters dynamically to accommodate eccentric loads. The pressurized fluid system adjusts pressure distribution across the bearing surface in response to load variations, enabling the support of unbalanced and eccentric loads while maintaining low energy dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If bearing systems are designed for high speeds between 100 and 3000 rpm, then productivity is improved, but they pass over resonant frequencies causing increased vibration and energy dissipation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational speedVSAvoidenergy dissipation at resonant frequencies
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrostatic bearing system uses pressurized fluid to create a damping effect that reduces vibrations during passage through resonant frequencies. The fluid film acts as a shock absorber, maintaining stable operation at high speeds between 100 and 3000 rpm while minimizing energy dissipation during resonant transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 solution enables efficient support of vertical loads with reduced energy dissipation, maintaining low energy consumption and operational costs, even under high eccentricities and vibrational imbalances, while ensuring mechanical integrity and safety through a dual hydrostatic and mechanical bearing system.

Implementation Method 1

a vertical support device utilizing a hydrostatic system with a rotating and floating plate, magnetic oil, and a cooling circuit, featuring a hemispherical cap and bearing track configuration that maintains an oil separating film for low energy dispersion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrostatic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

A vertical support device utilizing a hydrostatic system with a rotating and floating plate, magnetic oil, and a cooling circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic properties of fluid: Magnetorheological Fluid

Implementation Method 3

A vertical support device utilizing a hydrostatic system with a rotating and floating plate, magnetic oil, and a cooling circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3519710B1Vertical support device with reduced energy dissipation for rotating shafts
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 GENIUS ENERGY
  • EP3519710B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3519710B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3519710B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A vertical support device with reduced energy dissipation for rotating shafts comprising a spherical end portion (2) having radius (r), adapted to be rigidly constrained to a rotating vertical shaft, coupled with a rotating and floating plate (3) bearing a hemispherical cap (4), which identifies a complementary concave seat having radius (r) for the spherical end portion (2), also comprising a bearing track (5) for bearing a load (K) that rests on the rotating and floating plate (3), wherein the rotating and floating plate (3), the hemispherical cap (4) and the bearing track (5) are arranged coaxial to a housing hollow body (9) and have an axial hole (33, 51) for the passage of pressurised feed oil for the hydrostatic bearing of the spherical end portion (2), an oil separating film being arranged between the conjugated tracks arranged between the rotating and floating plate (3) and the bearing track (5) as well as between the hemispherical cap (4) and the spherical end portion (2), wherein the rotating and floating plate (3) has maximum outer radius (de/2) greater than the radius of curvature (r) of the spherical end portion (2), the support device also comprising at least one cooling circuit for cooling the bearing track (5).