Reverse Vortex Ring for Turbomachinery Rotordynamic Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed rotating machinery experiences vibration issues due to highly preswirled fluid entering tight clearance locations like seals and fluid bearings, leading to costly downtime and potential catastrophic failures, with existing solutions failing to adequately address these problems while minimizing modifications, complexity, and weight.
Innovation Solution
A reverse vortex ring with radial channels and planar surfaces is designed to attach to or form part of sleeve bearings or seals, reversing fluid swirl and reducing vibrations, with variants including different channel shapes and dimensions to accommodate various applications and conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional turbulence control devices are used, then vibration reduction may be achieved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end of the sleeve bearing is segmented into multiple radial channels that divide the fluid flow path. This segmentation allows the device to effectively control turbulence and reduce vibration while maintaining a simple overall structure, as each channel acts independently to manage fluid dynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional two-dimensional surface treatments to a three-dimensional radial channel structure extending into the bearing material. This dimensional change enables effective vibration control through volumetric fluid management while keeping the device composition simple and manufacturable.
2Reliability
If existing vibration mitigation devices are added, then vibration issues may be addressed, but the number and weight of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration mitigation functionality is merged directly into the sleeve bearing structure itself. The radial channels are formed as an integral part of the bearing, eliminating the need for separate vibration control components. This integration reduces the total number of parts and device weight while maintaining effective vibration mitigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve bearing is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: supporting radial loads, mitigating vibration, and controlling fluid flow. The radial channels provide vibration control and fluid management capabilities within the same component that provides mechanical support, reducing the need for additional specialized parts.
3Reliability
If complex turbulence control devices are implemented, then vibration reduction may improve, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radial channels segment the bearing material into functional zones that can be manufactured using standard drilling and machining operations. This segmentation approach simplifies manufacturing compared to creating complex internal geometries, as each channel can be independently formed using conventional tooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing structure incorporates local quality variations through the radial channels, which are concentrated only where needed at the distal end. This localized feature placement maintains manufacturing simplicity by avoiding complex geometries throughout the entire bearing, focusing complexity only where vibration control is required.
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 reverse vortex ring effectively minimizes fluid pre-swirl, reducing vibrations in high-speed rotating machinery with minimal modifications, ensuring durability and scalability across diverse applications and conditions, thus preventing instability and failure.
Implementation Method 1
The reverse vortex ring has been found to not only minimize this detrimental pre-swirl but to actually reverse the direction of the swirl
Data Source
AI summary
A flat reverse vortex ring is sized and shaped to either attach to or be formed as part of a distal end of a sleeve bearing or seal. The ring has a series of evenly spaced radial channels that extend from an inner diameter to an outer diameter of the ring. The channels have a depth. The ring has an upper surface with an alternating series of planar surfaces and openings located at an upper end of the channels. The ring may have an interior diameter equal to an interior diameter of the sleeve bearing or seal. The ring may have an exterior diameter equal to an exterior diameter the sleeve bearing or seal. The channels may be semi-cylindrical. The channels have a diameter and the depth is a predetermined portion of the diameter. The channels may be rectangular in cross-section with a height-to-width ratio of between 0.5 and 1.5.