Modular Elastomer Bearing Structure for Individual Element Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bearing structures for large and heavy machines, such as wind turbines, require disassembly of the entire system to replace worn-out resilient elements, which is time-consuming and inconvenient, especially when these machines are large and heavy, making it difficult to access and replace components without significant reassembly.

Innovation Solution

A bearing arrangement with multiple resilient bearing elements arranged annularly between two flanges, allowing individual elements to be mounted and exchanged without disassembling the entire structure, using clamping devices and a spacer disk with a curved surface for enhanced frictional force transmission, enabling easy replacement of worn-out elements without reassembling the entire system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If resilient bearing elements are integrated into a fixed bearing structure, then vibration damping and force transmission are improved, but replacement of worn elements requires disassembly of the entire system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration dampingVSAvoidreplacement of bearing elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing structure is divided into modular resilient bearing elements that can be independently removed and replaced. Each element is a separate component between the flanges, allowing individual replacement without disassembling the entire bearing structure or system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient bearing elements are designed to be dynamically replaceable through axial movement. Elements can be inserted and removed by axial displacement, enabling maintenance without fixed structural constraints while maintaining vibration damping functionality during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of repair

If resilient bearing elements are designed for individual replacement, then maintenance time and complexity are reduced, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual element replacementVSAvoidbearing structure design

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing structure consists of multiple identical resilient bearing elements arranged between flanges. This segmentation allows standardized individual replacement while maintaining overall structural simplicity through repetition of the same modular component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

All resilient bearing elements share the same design and mounting interface, making them universally interchangeable. This universality simplifies the replacement process as any element can be replaced by any other identical element without requiring different mounting procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the bearing structure requires full disassembly for element replacement, then structural integrity is maintained, but downtime and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidsystem downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing structure is segmented into independently replaceable elements that can be swapped without disrupting the overall structural integrity of the bearing assembly. The flange-based modular design allows element replacement while maintaining the structural framework intact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient bearing elements are pre-configured with mounting features that enable quick attachment and detachment. This preliminary design of removable interfaces allows rapid element replacement without time-consuming disassembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 allows for efficient and convenient replacement of worn-out resilient bearing elements in large machines, reducing downtime and maintenance complexity by enabling individual component exchange without full disassembly, while maintaining effective vibration damping and sound decoupling.

Implementation Method 1

effective vibration damping or vibration and sound decoupling can occur as a result

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

resilient bearing elements for resiliently mounting machine or system parts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResilient deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

using clamping devices and a spacer disk with a curved surface for enhanced frictional force transmission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11802547B2Bearing structure made of elastomer bearing elements which can be mounted and exchanged individually

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 FM ENERGIE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A bearing structure for large and heavy machines and systems, such as a wind turbine for example. In particular, the invention relates to such a bearing structure based on elastomer bearing elements, which can be mounted and exchanged individually without having to at least partly disassemble the bearing structure together with the system or machine. A method for simply exchanging elastomer elements in a bearing for heavy and large systems and machines.