Molten Metal Rotor Shaft Coupling With Locking Projections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing molten metal pump systems face issues with rotor shaft couplings breaking due to applied driving force, leading to erratic rotor movement and difficulty in removing the rotor shaft, often requiring both components to be replaced.
Innovation Solution
A rotor shaft with outwardly-extending projections that fit into a cavity of the rotor, allowing the projections to be retained under an abutment when rotated, transmitting driving force and preventing separation during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a traditional rotor shaft coupling is used to transmit driving force to the rotor, then the rotor can be driven effectively, but the coupling is prone to breaking due to the applied driving force
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is segmented into multiple projections distributed around the rotor shaft circumference. Each projection independently transmits a portion of the driving force to the rotor through its own elongated slot and abutment mechanism, distributing the mechanical stress and preventing single-point failure that causes traditional couplings to break.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including elongated slots that allow radial movement of projections, and abutments that engage with the rotor surface. This dynamic design allows the coupling to accommodate misalignment and absorb shock loads, preventing breakage while maintaining effective power transmission.
2Power
If a traditional rotor shaft coupling is used, then the rotor can be driven, but the rotor shaft becomes difficult to remove after operation
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling design extracts the retention function from a permanent fixed connection. Projections are held in elongated slots within the rotor body, allowing them to be easily extracted by simply pulling the rotor shaft outward. The abutments disengage from the rotor surface during removal, enabling quick separation without complex disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a fixed rigid connection that requires forceful separation, the design inverts the approach by using movable projections that are retained during operation but easily removable when needed. The elongated slots and abutment mechanism create a connection that is strong during operation but simple to release, reversing the traditional difficulty of removal.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid rotor shaft connection is used to ensure stable operation, then the rotor moves consistently, but the connection is prone to breakage under driving force
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling uses dynamic elements including elongated slots that permit radial adjustment of projections, and abutments that maintain contact with the rotor surface. This dynamic design provides stable rotational movement while accommodating misalignment and absorbing shock loads, preventing breakage that would occur with a completely rigid connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling parameters such as projection position, slot orientation, and abutment engagement depth can be adjusted to optimize both stability and durability. The elongated slots allow the projections to move radially, changing the effective connection parameters dynamically to maintain stable operation while preventing excessive stress concentration that leads to breakage.
Data Source
AI summary
A molten metal rotor receives and retains an end of a molten metal rotor shaft. The rotor shaft has one or more projections at the end received in the rotor. The rotor has an inner cavity, a top surface with an opening leading to the inner cavity, and at least one abutment. The opening includes one or more portions for allowing each projection to pass through the opening and into the inner cavity. The rotor and/or shaft are then rotated so at least one of the outwardly-extending projections is under the top surface of the rotor and is against an abutment. A molten metal pump, rotary degasser scrap melter or other device used in molten metal may utilize a rotor/shaft combination as disclosed herein.