Closed-Compartment Pendulum Absorber for Lubrication and Wear Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal pendulum absorbers for flywheels, especially in heavy-duty engines, face durability and reliability issues due to wear and require frequent maintenance, which increases service costs.
Innovation Solution
The centrifugal pendulum absorber design includes pendulum weights in closed compartments with fluid channels for efficient lubrication, allowing lubricant to be balanced and distributed effectively, reducing wear and enhancing durability and reliability. The compartments are connected circumferentially, with optional channels at a radial top region for improved lubricant flow, and a ring member made of bearing steel for added strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centrifugal pendulum absorber is used to reduce vibrations from crankshaft, then vibration damping performance is improved, but wear of mechanical components increases leading to reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
A lubricant is introduced as an intermediary substance between the pendulum weights and the carrier disc. The lubricant forms a protective film that reduces direct contact and friction between these components, thereby minimizing wear while maintaining the vibration damping function of the centrifugal pendulum absorber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by introducing a fluid lubricant into the system. The lubricant is distributed through channels and retained in cavities within the carrier disc, creating a hydrodynamic lubrication regime that separates the pendulum weights from the carrier disc surfaces, reducing wear through fluid-mediated contact.
2Reliability
If multiple closed compartments are used to accommodate pendulum weights, then lubrication efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier disc is segmented into multiple closed compartments, each accommodating a pendulum weight. This segmentation allows independent lubrication of each compartment, ensuring efficient lubrication distribution. The segmented structure with integrated channels balances improved lubrication efficiency with manageable manufacturing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple closed compartments are merged into a single integrated carrier disc structure with interconnected lubricant channels. This combining approach allows the system to benefit from multiple sealed compartments for lubrication while maintaining a unified manufacturable component, reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps.
3Reliability
If lubricant channels are provided between closed compartments, then lubricant distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Lubricant channels are strategically placed locally between closed compartments where needed for lubricant distribution. The channels are integrated into the carrier disc structure at specific locations rather than creating a complex network throughout, providing effective lubricant distribution while minimizing additional structural complexity.
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 design enhances the durability and reliability of the centrifugal pendulum absorber by reducing wear through efficient lubrication, minimizing the need for frequent maintenance and manufacturing time, while maintaining effective vibration damping.
Implementation Method 1
the pendulum weights can be efficiently lubricated, by e.g. grease, which has shown to improve durability and also reliability during use
Implementation Method 2
by providing a channel for fluid as disclosed herein at least between two abutting closed compartments, the amount of lubricant may be efficiently balanced between the closed compartments
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a centrifugal pendulum absorber (2) for a flywheel (1), comprising, -a plurality of pendulum weights (200) being arranged circumferentially around a center axis (C) of the centrifugal pendulum absorber, wherein, the centrifugal pendulum absorber further comprising, -a plurality of closed compartments () which are arranged circumferentially around the center axis, wherein at least one pendulum weight is arranged in each one of the plurality of closed compartments, wherein a channel for fluid (306) is provided at least between two abutting closed compartments, as seen in the circumferential direction, and wherein the channel for fluid fluidly connects the two abutting closed compartments.