Outboard Hydrostatic Bearing Assembly for Ram Alignment and Fluid Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing can bodymaker systems face issues with ram droop and misalignment due to the long length of the ram body, leading to wear and tear, and contamination of cooling fluid with hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly fluid, which affects the efficiency and longevity of the system.
Innovation Solution
A ram assembly with a reduced length, utilizing an outboard guide bearing assembly and a tension assembly to maintain alignment and reduce cantilever length, eliminating the need for the ram body to pass through a hydrostatic/hydrodynamic bearing assembly, thereby minimizing fluid contamination and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the ram body length is reduced to minimize droop and wear, then the alignment and support during operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is moved from an inboard position (within the ram body) to an outboard position (external to the ram body), changing the spatial dimension of support. This allows the ram body to be shorter while maintaining support at the original location through the outboard bearing assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The outboard bearing assembly acts as an intermediary support structure between the ram body and the machine frame. It provides the necessary alignment and support functions previously achieved by the longer inboard bearing assembly, enabling ram body length reduction without compromising reliability.
2Reliability
If the ram body passes through a hydrostatic/hydrodynamic bearing assembly to maintain alignment, then fluid contamination of cooling fluid occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is extracted from the path of the ram body and repositioned to an outboard location. This eliminates the direct interaction between the bearing assembly fluid and the cooling fluid, preventing contamination while maintaining alignment through the external bearing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is segmented from the ram body itself and placed in a separate outboard bearing assembly. This separation allows the bearing assembly to maintain alignment independently without requiring the ram body to pass through it, thereby preventing fluid mixing and contamination.
3Length of moving object
If the ram body length is reduced, then the structural support and stability during operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Support is provided in a different spatial dimension by positioning the bearing assembly outboard rather than within the ram body. This external support structure compensates for the reduced ram body length and maintains structural stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The outboard bearing assembly serves as an intermediary support structure that provides the necessary structural stability and strength. It compensates for the reduced ram body length by providing external support at the critical location, maintaining operational stability.
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 solution reduces ram droop and wear, enhances alignment, and prevents fluid contamination, leading to improved operational efficiency and extended component lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
an outboard guide bearing assembly (60) spaced from the ram body and including a carriage assembly (62) and a bearing assembly (90). The bearing assembly (90) includes two bearings (104) disposed on lateral sides of the carriage assembly (62).
Implementation Method 2
heat is created by friction in both the ram assembly and the die pack. This heat is dissipated by a cooling fluid that passes through and over the surface of the components.
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly for a can bodymaker is provided. The hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly is separate from the ram body. The outboard guide bearing assembly includes a carriage assembly and a number of elongated journals. The carriage assembly includes a ram coupling, a crank coupling, and body defining a number of journal passages. The ram body is coupled to a ram coupling. The crank coupling is structured to be coupled to a crank arm. Each journal extends through a carriage assembly body journal passage. In this configuration, the ram body may form a can body in a traditional manner, but fluid bearing assembly fluid is not applied to the ram body. Instead, the fluid bearing assembly fluid is applied to the journals.