Planet Gear Damper Ring for Modal Vibration Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engines' planetary gear systems are susceptible to mode failures and dynamic overloads due to operation at undesired frequencies, leading to deformation and vibration issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a damper ring in the gear assembly that applies a hoop force to the inner and outer races, frictionally removing energy and minimizing deformation by adjusting its position during high-speed rotation to counteract undesirable modal frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If planet gears are operated at undesired frequencies, then the gear assembly can function, but the planet gears become susceptible to mode failures from deformation and dynamic overloads
Solution Approach 1:
A damper ring is installed on the inner or outer ring of the bearing assembly to provide beforehand cushioning against dynamic overloads and vibrations. The damper ring absorbs and dissipates vibrational energy before it can cause deformation or mode failures in the planet gears, thereby protecting the gear assembly during operation at undesired frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper ring acts as an intermediary element between the bearing races and the planet gears. It mediates the vibrational forces by providing a damping interface that reduces the transmission of dynamic loads to the planet gears, preventing deformation and mode failures while allowing continuous operation.
2Reliability
If a damper ring is added to reduce dynamic overloads and vibrations, then planet gear modes are damped and deformation is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper ring is integrated into the existing bearing assembly structure, serving multiple functions: damping vibrations, reducing dynamic overloads, and protecting planet gears from deformation. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate damping components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving improved reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper ring is nested within the bearing assembly, either on the inner or outer ring, utilizing the existing structural space. This nesting approach allows the damping function to be added without significantly increasing the overall size or complexity of the gear assembly, as the damper ring is incorporated into the existing bearing structure rather than adding a separate external component.
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 damper ring reduces dynamic overloads and vibratory responses, enhancing the robustness and compactness of the gearbox by effectively damping planet gear modes, thereby minimizing deformation and improving the gear assembly's performance.
Implementation Method 1
applies a hoop force to the inner and outer races, frictionally removing energy and minimizing deformation
Implementation Method 2
reduces dynamic overloads and vibratory responses, effectively damping planet gear modes
Data Source
AI summary
A planetary gear system can include a sun gear, an outer ring gear, and at least one planet gear driving the sun gear and planet gear. The planet gear can include an inner ring having an inner race, an outer ring having an outer race circumscribing and confronting the inner race. A plurality of rolling elements can be located between and in contact with the inner and outer races, which can include least one damper.