Pump Bearing Shield Assembly for Limiting Failure Excursion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bearing assemblies in pumps face issues with robustness and assembly complexity, particularly when using integral shields, which can be dislodged during extreme conditions, leading to potential damage from excessive radial and axial excursion, and require non-standard components or additional space, while conventional clip-on shields offer insufficient protection.
Innovation Solution
A bearing assembly with a shield that extends axially into the annular gap between the inner and outer rings by more than 20% of their length, featuring a retainer to prevent axial movement and a bearing support for robust retention, allowing for a transition fit and similar thermal expansion coefficients between the shield and outer ring materials, with radial and axial clearances to limit excursion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an integral shield is used to provide robust protection against bearing failure, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and additional space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is divided into a modular assembly comprising a shield body, retainer, and bearing support components. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while simplifying the overall assembly process and enabling easier maintenance or replacement of individual parts without affecting the entire bearing assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing support serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the outer ring, retains the shield assembly, and contributes to the overall structural integrity of the bearing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If an integral shield is used to limit radial and axial excursion, then reliability is improved, but the bearing requires nonstandard design and additional space
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is designed with the capability to tilt during assembly, transforming from a rigid static structure to a dynamic one. This dynamic feature allows the shield to adapt to the assembly process, enabling installation in standard bearings without requiring additional space or nonstandard bearing designs, while still providing reliable limitation of radial and axial excursion when in position.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield's orientation parameter is changed from a fixed configuration to one that can be adjusted during assembly. By allowing the shield to tilt into its final position, the design accommodates standard bearing dimensions and assembly procedures, eliminating the need for additional space while maintaining the reliability function of limiting excursion.
3Ease of manufacture
If a clip-on shield is used to inhibit lubricant leakage, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates as the shield may be dislodged in extreme conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer component is designed to anticipate and prevent the dislodgement of the shield under extreme conditions. By providing a retention mechanism before failure can occur, the system ensures that even if the shield experiences extreme forces, it remains securely in place, maintaining reliability while preserving the ease of manufacture through simple assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer acts as an intermediary component between the shield and the bearing structure. It provides a secure attachment point for the shield, ensuring reliable retention under extreme conditions while maintaining the simplicity of the overall assembly process. The retainer mediates between the ease of manufacture requirement and the reliability requirement by providing a straightforward yet secure connection mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A bearing assembly for mounting a rotatable shaft of a pump and a pump having such a bearing assembly are disclosed. The bearing assembly comprises: a bearing comprising an inner ring and an outer ring; a shield extending between the inner and the outer ring and obscuring at least a portion of an annular gap between the inner and outer ring. The shield is configured to extend axially into the annular gap between the inner and the outer ring, an axial length of the shield extending between the inner and outer ring comprising more than 20% of an axial length of at least one of the inner or outer ring.