Impeller Mounting Lock for Faster Turbomachine Rotor Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional impeller mounting and demounting processes in turbomachines require precise alignment and involve high mechanical forces, leading to extended downtime, misalignment risks, wear, and reduced component longevity due to mechanical stresses.
Innovation Solution
A rotor assembly with a locking mechanism that locks the rotational degree of freedom of the shaft using engagement portions on the shaft and non-rotatable parts, facilitating simplified assembly and disassembly by allowing axial movement for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional mechanical fastening methods are used for impeller mounting, then secure attachment is achieved, but alignment precision deteriorates due to high mechanical forces and labor-intensive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical fastening methods with a magnetic coupling system. The magnetic coupling device generates magnetic attraction forces that securely attach the impeller to the rotor while avoiding high mechanical forces that cause misalignment. This substitution of mechanical fastening with magnetic field-based attachment resolves the contradiction by providing secure attachment without the aligning problems associated with mechanical interference.
2Strength
If conventional mechanical fastening methods are used for impeller mounting, then attachment security is achieved, but maintenance time increases due to extended downtime and complex procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic coupling device allows for rapid attachment and detachment of the impeller by simply controlling the magnetic field activation, eliminating the time-consuming mechanical fastening and alignment procedures. The system can be quickly engaged or disengaged by activating or deactivating the magnetic field, significantly reducing maintenance downtime while maintaining secure attachment during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling device is pre-positioned and configured before operation, with the magnetic field already established and ready for immediate engagement. This preliminary preparation allows the impeller to be quickly attached when needed, reducing the time required for maintenance operations compared to conventional methods that require complex assembly procedures.
3Strength
If conventional mechanical fastening methods are used for impeller mounting, then attachment is achieved, but component longevity decreases due to wear and fatigue from repeated mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic coupling device replaces repeated mechanical fastening and unfastening operations with magnetic field-based attachment. This eliminates the mechanical wear and fatigue that occur with conventional methods, as the magnetic field can be activated and deactivated without physical contact or mechanical stress on the components, thereby extending their operational life.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A rotor assembly (10) for a turbomachine (20) is described. The rotor assembly (10) includes a shaft (11) having a first axial end (111) and a second axial end (112). At least one of the first axial end (111) and the second axial (112) has a mounting portion (12). The rotor assembly (10) further includes an impeller (13) having a mating mounting portion (14) for mounting the impeller (13) on the mounting portion (12) of the shaft (11). Further, the rotor assembly (10) includes a first engagement portion (151) provided on the shaft engageable with a corresponding second engagement portion (152) provided on a non-rotatable part (21) of the turbomachine (20) to lock a rotational degree of freedom of the shaft (11) around a central longitudinal axis of the shaft (11).