Non-concentric Rings for Turbo-machinery Clearance Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for centering rotating components within their stators in turbo machinery often result in non-uniform operating clearances due to limitations in geometric control of static components, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs, with existing solutions either accepting suboptimal performance, increasing component costs, or creating non-interchangeable match-set hardware.

Innovation Solution

The use of multiple non-concentric rings to support bearings, allowing for independent adjustment of the rotor centerline relative to the static structure, thereby optimizing clearances between rotating and static components without the need for additional hardware or disassembly, by rotating the rings to align the centerlines of the rotor and static components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If geometric control of static components is improved to reduce clearance variation, then manufacturing precision improves, but component cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeometric control of static componentVSAvoidcomponent cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces adjustable non-concentric rings that can be rotated to different angular positions to dynamically adjust the rotor centerline relative to the static structure. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the system to compensate for manufacturing tolerances without requiring the static component itself to be manufactured with extremely tight geometric controls, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of the rotor centerline position by using non-concentric rings with specific offset values. By selecting rings with different offset magnitudes and rotating them to different angles, the system can adjust the effective centerline position to compensate for clearance variations. This parameter adjustment approach avoids the need for expensive high-precision manufacturing of static components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If match-set machining is used to center rotating components, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase due to non-interchangeable sets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentering precisionVSAvoidmatch-set hardware

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs non-concentric rings that can be universally applied to different rotor-stator assemblies. The rings come in standardized sizes and offset configurations that can be used across multiple applications, eliminating the need for custom match-set machining for each assembly. This universal approach maintains centering precision while reducing device complexity and enabling interchangeable components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the centering function from the main rotor and stator components by introducing independent non-concentric rings. These rings can be manufactured separately with standardized tolerances and then assembled into the system. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing processes and interchangeable components, avoiding the complexity of match-set machining while maintaining the required centering precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If larger operating clearances are used to accommodate non-concentricity, then ease of manufacture improves, but machine performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetolerance toleranceVSAvoidmachine performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses adjustable non-concentric rings that can be rotated to optimize the rotor centerline position relative to the stator. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to achieve optimal clearance distribution even with standard manufacturing tolerances, thereby maintaining high machine performance without requiring excessively large clearances that would reduce efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of match-set machining or precision manufacturing of static components with a simpler mechanical adjustment system using non-concentric rings. This substitution allows the system to achieve precise clearance control through adjustable geometry rather than through expensive high-precision manufacturing, maintaining performance while improving ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS7510374B2Non-concentric rings for reduced turbo-machinery operating clearances

Publication Date: 2009.03.31 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Rings having holes with a centerline offset from the centerline of the outer diameter, or other diameter piloting feature of the ring (i.e., non-concentric rings) may be used to align rotating components within their static components. Two non-concentric rings may be used to support a bearing that contains a shaft there through to allow for maximum offsets between a desired centerline of the rotating component and an actual, assembled centerline of the rotating component. Adjustment of the rotor centerline relative to the static structure centerline may be obtained without disassembly of the rotor assembly or static structure assembly.