Rotor Balance Weights With Visual Grouping for Precise Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for balancing rotors, particularly in turbomachines, are labor-intensive and costly due to the difficulty in detecting and arranging balance weights with unique shapes and weights, making them unsuitable for general use and limited by accessibility and visual detection challenges.
Innovation Solution
A set of plate-shaped balance weights with distinct shapes and thicknesses, allowing easy identification and arrangement, is used to balance rotors by distributing them over the periphery, with each group having identical weights and shapes, facilitating simple and cost-effective production and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If balance weights are made with unique shapes and weights for precise balancing, then balancing precision is improved, but ease of detection and identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual differentiation through color coding or surface treatment of balance weights. Different groups of balance weights are distinguished by their visual appearance (color, finish, or marking), allowing operators to quickly identify the weight group without complex measurement tools. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining unique weight values for precision while adding visual cues for easy detection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If balance weights are customized to match specific rotor shapes, then adaptability to the rotor is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs balance weights with standardized universal shapes that can be used across different rotor types. The weights are designed with generic mounting features (such as standard holes or attachment points) that accommodate various rotor configurations without requiring custom manufacturing for each rotor. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining adaptability through design flexibility while simplifying manufacturing through standardization.
3Reliability
If balance weights are arranged at difficult-to-access positions on the rotor, then balancing effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary tools or fixtures that facilitate the placement of balance weights at difficult-to-access positions. These intermediaries may include specialized installation tools, temporary holding fixtures, or guide features that make it easier to position and secure weights in hard-to-reach areas. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining effective balancing positions while reducing the operational difficulty through auxiliary devices.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If multiple groups of balance weights with different shapes are used, then identification ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual differentiation (color coding, surface treatment, or marking) to identify different groups of balance weights. Each group is assigned a distinct visual characteristic that allows quick recognition without requiring complex shapes or configurations. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining easy identification through simple visual cues while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a set of balance weights for balancing a rotor particularly of a turbomachine, on which a plurality of balance weights, which are distributed over the periphery, can be arranged for balancing an imbalance. A set of balance weights, in particular plate-shaped weights, with a predetermined number of groups of balance weights, is used for balancing the rotor. Each of the balance weights of every group of balance weights has an identical weight that is assigned to this group and a shape assigned to this group, which differs in basic shape and/or thickness of the balance weights from the balance weights of the other groups.