Radial Spring for Managing Thermal Expansion in Concentric Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radial forces between concentric components can lead to damage and malfunction in mechanical devices due to differences in thermal expansion and external forces, necessitating a solution to control and manage these forces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A radial spring design comprising a base portion, support portions, and resilient member portions that are deformable along a radial direction, allowing for engagement with concentric components to absorb and distribute forces, thereby preventing damage and ensuring proper device function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If concentric components are rigidly connected to ensure structural stability, then structural stability is improved, but radial forces cause binding and deformation leading to component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a radial spring component that changes its radial dimension in response to thermal expansion differences between concentric components. The spring's resilient member portions deform radially to maintain proper spacing, transforming the rigid structural connection into a dynamically adjustable connection that adapts to thermal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial spring acts as an intermediary component between the first and second concentric components. It mediates the radial forces that arise from thermal expansion differences, preventing direct binding and deformation between the rigid concentric components while maintaining their structural relationship.
2Stability of the object's composition
If concentric components are firmly engaged to prevent relative movement, then positional stability is improved, but radial shock forces cause binding and bearing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The radial spring provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-installed between the concentric components with its resilient member portions positioned to absorb radial shock forces before they can cause binding or bearing deformation. The spring's elastic properties allow it to deflect and absorb impact energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial spring serves as an intermediary that absorbs and dissipates radial shock forces, preventing them from being transmitted directly between the concentric components and causing harmful effects such as bearing deformation or component binding.
3Reliability
If thermal expansion differences are accommodated to prevent binding, then component reliability is improved, but additional components increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The radial spring is segmented into multiple resilient member portions that can independently deform to accommodate thermal expansion differences. This segmentation allows the spring to handle complex thermal scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be integrated between concentric components.
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 radial spring effectively controls and manages radial forces between concentric components, preventing damage and ensuring proper operation by absorbing and distributing forces uniformly, thus enhancing the reliability and longevity of mechanical devices.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of resilient member portions may be resiliently deformable along a radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides radial springs that control radial forces between adjacent concentric components. The radial springs may be configured for placement between the adjacent concentric components. The radial springs may include a base member, support members extending from the base member, and resilient members extending from the base members. The resilient members may extend radially, axially, at an angle relative to the axis, or a combination thereof, and may be radially deformable. The resilient members may exert radial forces substantially uniformly radially inward or outward in use. The resilient members may be leaf type members or cantilever type members. The support members and resilient members may be provided on a radially inward or outward side of the base member. The methods of installing and uninstalling radial springs may include engaging the resilient members with a tool and radially deforming the resilient members to engage or disengage the radial spring from an adjacent concentric component.