Variable Displacement Radial Piston Machine Modular Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large ring cam fluid working machines are difficult and expensive to repair, especially in inaccessible locations like wind turbine nacelles, due to their massive size and complex structure, which requires disassembly of the entire machine for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A variable displacement radial piston fluid working machine design featuring demountable blocks that allow individual removal for maintenance and repair, while maintaining structural integrity, reducing the need for additional strengthening elements and enabling access to internal components without disassembling the entire machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the machine uses a massive structure to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but weight increases and repairability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is divided into modular segments including demountable cylinder blocks and a segmented ring cam. Each segment can be independently removed for maintenance while the remaining structure maintains its integrity through the modular design, eliminating the need for complete disassembly.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the machine is designed as a complete integrated unit, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates requiring disassembly of the whole body
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is segmented into modular components (cylinder blocks, ring cam segments) that can be independently accessed and removed. The modular design maintains overall structural integrity while enabling targeted maintenance of specific components without affecting the entire machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a static integrated structure to a dynamic modular configuration where components can be selectively assembled and disassembled. This allows the structure to adapt between a unified configuration for operational integrity and a segmented configuration for maintenance access.
3Strength
If additional strengthening elements are added to maintain structural integrity during maintenance, then strength is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular segmented design allows the structure to maintain integrity through its modular architecture rather than requiring additional strengthening elements. Each module is self-supporting and the overall structure relies on the arrangement and connection of segments rather than extra reinforcement.
Data Source
AI summary
A variable displacement fluid working machine includes an inward ring and an outward ring, one of the inward ring and the outward ring including a rotatable ring cam coupled to a drive shaft, the other including a plurality of radially extending piston cylinders circumferentially spaced around the respective ring. The outward ring has first and second axially spaced structural members and a plurality of demountable blocks demountably retainable therebetween, the demountable blocks having either piston cylinders or ring cam segments. The demountable blocks are removable radially to facilitate maintenance and repair and to facilitate radial access to the inward ring.