Integrated Plain Bearing Cover for Turbomachine Reducer Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mechanical reducers for turbomachines, particularly in aircraft, face challenges with misalignment of planet gears and plain bearings due to uneven load distribution, leading to variations in oil film thickness and increased risk of geometric misalignment during assembly.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an attachment cover directly connected to the plain bearing's axial extension reduces the risk of misalignment by eliminating the need for separate covers, allowing for a more stable and simplified mounting process, compatible with various reducer types and toothings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate covers are used to attach the plain bearing to the planet carrier, then the assembly process becomes more complex and misalignment risk increases, but the mounting flexibility is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separate cover and plain bearing into a single integrated component. The attachment cover is now an integral part of the plain bearing body, eliminating the need for separate mounting operations and reducing the number of parts. This integration directly reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the mounting functionality through the extended axial surfaces that provide attachment areas.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate covers are used for mounting the plain bearing, then manufacturing can be simplified, but misalignment between planet gears and bearings increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the attachment cover into the plain bearing body, the patent eliminates misalignment issues between separate components. The single-piece construction ensures that the attachment surfaces and bearing surfaces are precisely aligned from manufacturing, eliminating the cumulative tolerance errors that would occur with separate assembled parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The plain bearing is segmented into functional zones: the cylindrical guide surface for bearing operation, the axial extensions for attachment, and the circumferential edges for flexibility. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining precise relative positioning through integral construction.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the plain bearing body is made rigid for stability, then load distribution improves, but misalignment risk under uneven loads increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating areas of flexibility at the longitudinal ends of the plain bearing body through circumferential edges that extend axially. These localized flexible zones allow the bearing to adapt to uneven load distribution and misalignment tendencies, while the central cylindrical guide surface maintains its rigid structure for stable load bearing. This local flexibility compensates for manufacturing imperfections and load variations.
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 solution enhances the assembly process, reduces the risk of misalignment, and simplifies manufacturing by integrating the cover into the plain bearing, ensuring consistent load distribution and improved operational stability.
Implementation Method 1
The bearings can be made up of rolling elements (ball, roller, tapered roller bearings, etc.) or can be hydrodynamic bearings. In the latter case, each planet gear is mounted so that it can rotate on and around a plain bearing carried by the planet carrier. This plain bearing is supplied with oil and is configured to form a film of oil between its external periphery and the internal periphery of the planet gear it is guiding.
Data Source
AI summary
A plain bearing for a mechanical reducer for a turbomachine is integrally formed and includes a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body has an external cylindrical guide surface, a first axial mounting extension, a first circumferential edge extending around the first extension, a second axial mounting extension, and a second circumferential edge extending around the second extension. The plain bearing further includes an attachment cover connected to the first axial extension and extending axially opposite said first edge.