Modular Calibration Rotor with Interchangeable Adapters
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of maintaining and calibrating different types of horizontal balancing machines for turbomachines requires a multitude of specific calibration rotors, leading to storage inefficiencies due to the bulkiness and specificity of these components, as existing solutions either cannot reduce the variety of balancers or provide only coupling functions without guidance.
Innovation Solution
A modular calibration rotor with interchangeable adapters that can guide the main shaft in rotation, allowing for compatibility with various balancing machines by using adapters of different types, including those for roller and half-shell guidance, while maintaining the same moment of inertia and being capable of belt or universal joint drives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple specific calibration rotors are used for different types of balancing machines, then calibration precision is maintained, but storage complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration rotor is designed with a universal main shaft that can accommodate multiple types of adapters (roller adapters, half-shell adapters, cantilever adapters). This allows a single rotor body to perform calibration functions across different balancing machine types, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated rotors while maintaining calibration precision for each machine type through the appropriate adapter selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration rotor system is divided into two independent segments: a universal main shaft that remains constant, and interchangeable adapters that are attached to the main shaft. This segmentation allows the permanent, expensive rotor body to be reused while only the smaller, easier-to-store adapters need to be managed separately, reducing overall storage complexity.
2Device complexity
If a single modular calibration rotor with interchangeable adapters is used, then storage needs are reduced, but adapter compatibility and precision maintenance become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
Each adapter is designed with specific local characteristics tailored to its mounting type (roller mounting features, half-shell mounting features, or cantilever features), while maintaining a standardized interface with the main shaft. This allows each adapter to be optimized for its specific function while ensuring universal compatibility through the common main shaft interface, maintaining both precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The main shaft acts as an intermediary element between the balancing machine and various adapter types. It provides a standardized, precision-machined interface that ensures reliable connection and accurate positioning regardless of which adapter is attached, thereby maintaining adapter compatibility and calibration precision across different configurations.
3Manufacturing precision
If calibration rotors are designed for specific mounting methods (roller or half-shell), then mounting precision is optimized, but adaptability to different balancing machine types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration rotor system transitions from a static, dedicated design to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. The main shaft remains static and universal, while the adapters can be dynamically attached or detached based on the specific balancing machine type being calibrated. This dynamic adaptability allows mounting precision to be optimized for each machine type while maintaining versatility across different configurations.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
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Figure 10~12
AI summary
The invention relates to a calibration rotor (10) for a horizontal balancer, configured to be driven by means (30) for driving said balancer and comprising at least: a main barrel (12) which has a longitudinal axis A and the periphery of which comprises points (38) for attaching balance weights which are evenly distributed in an axial and angular manner about said axis A, and rotation guide means (18, 20) arranged at each end (14, 16) of said main barrel (12). The invention is characterized in that the rotor (10) is modular and in that said guide means (18, 20) comprise adapters (40, 42) which are capable of being attached to the ends (14, 16) of the barrel (12) and are of a first type, suitable for rotatably guiding the barrel (12) on rollers (22, 24), or of a second type, suitable for rotatably guiding the half-shell barrel (23), each type of adapter (40, 42) having the same predetermined moment of inertia and being interchangeable on the barrel (12).