Orthotropic Mounting Structure for Rotor Oscillation Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting means for devices with rotating rotors, such as centrifuges, face challenges in achieving high limit speeds without increasing resonance speed, noise, or bearing forces, due to the limitations of material-dependent damping and spring properties in rubber buffers, which are costly and ineffective in independently setting damping and spring properties.
Innovation Solution
A direction-dependent orthotropic mounting means with varying modulus of elasticity, where the resilient properties are tailored to be higher in directions perpendicular to the rotor's axis, effectively damping oscillations and increasing the limit speed without increasing resonance speed or bearing forces, allowing for cost-effective solutions using materials like rubber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rubber buffers with isotropic resilient properties are used, then the mounting is simple and cost-effective, but the damping and spring properties are coupled and cannot be set independently, limiting damping effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting means employs mounting elements with direction-dependent resilient properties, where the modulus of elasticity varies with direction. Specifically, the resilient properties are higher in directions perpendicular to the rotor axis to effectively damp oscillations, while maintaining lower properties in other directions. This local differentiation of material properties enables independent optimization of damping effectiveness without requiring complex multi-component structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting elements are designed with asymmetric resilient properties relative to the rotor axis. The orthotropic material structure creates different stiffness characteristics in different directions, with higher stiffness perpendicular to the rotor axis to counteract oscillations. This asymmetric design allows the mounting to provide targeted damping where needed while maintaining simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
2Reliability
If the resilient properties are increased to damp oscillations, then the limit speed increases, but the resonance speed may also increase which is undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting means provides directionally selective resilient properties with higher modulus of elasticity perpendicular to the rotor axis to damp oscillations and increase limit speed, while maintaining lower resilient properties in other directions. This localized enhancement of stiffness only where needed for oscillation damping prevents unnecessary increase in resonance speed, as the mounting remains more compliant in directions that would otherwise elevate resonant frequencies.
3Reliability
If conventional rubber buffers are used, then the mounting is cost-effective, but the damping properties are limited by material constraints and cannot be optimized independently
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting elements utilize orthotropic materials or structures with direction-dependent modulus of elasticity. By changing the material parameters to exhibit anisotropic elastic properties, the design enables independent optimization of damping characteristics in specific directions without requiring expensive viscous dampers or friction dampers. The parameter change from isotropic to anisotropic material behavior provides the needed flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting means employs composite structures or orthotropic materials that combine different material properties in different directions. This composite approach allows the mounting to exhibit higher stiffness perpendicular to the rotor axis for oscillation damping while maintaining compliance in other directions, achieving optimized damping properties without the need for expensive damping elements.
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
The direction-dependent resilient properties of the mounting means effectively dampen oscillations, increasing the limit speed and reducing rigidity, thereby enhancing the stability and service life of the device without the need for expensive damping elements, while maintaining low resonance speed and minimal noise and bearing forces.
Implementation Method 1
the resilient properties can be circumscribed or quantified by the modulus of elasticity of a material, or they can correspond to the modulus of elasticity of a material
Implementation Method 2
the mounting means having resilient properties... effectively dampen oscillations
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting structure is provided for mounting a device comprising at least one mounting shield, a pivot bearing arranged in the mounting shield and a rotor mounted in the pivot bearing and having an axis of rotation. The mounting structure has resilient properties that are dependent on directions perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor.