Rotor Balancing Retention With Single-Point Contact Bearings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional axial restraints in rotor assembly balancing systems increase friction and induce noise and resonance, making it difficult to accurately detect imbalances in gas turbine engines.
Innovation Solution
A system with single point contact bearing assemblies and angular contact bearings is used to limit axial travel and reduce friction, eliminating angular moment forces and noise, allowing for precise imbalance detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a typical axial restraint is used to ensure proper axial position of the rotor assembly, then axial position control is improved, but friction increases and noise and resonance are produced that interrupt the balancing software signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the typical mechanical axial restraint system with a magnetic field-based restraint system. The magnetic restraint assembly uses magnets to provide axial positioning without physical contact, thereby eliminating friction, noise, and resonance that interrupt balancing software signals while maintaining proper axial position control of the rotor assembly.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a typical axial restraint is used to limit axial travel, then axial position control is improved, but angular moment forces are added into the system which may alter the detection of true rotor assembly imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic restraint assembly substitutes mechanical contact-based axial restraints with a magnetic field-based system that provides axial positioning without introducing angular moment forces. This eliminates interference with the balancing software signal and ensures accurate detection of true rotor assembly imbalance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional axial restraints are used, then axial position control is maintained, but friction increases making it difficult to detect true imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a magnetic field-based restraint system that eliminates mechanical friction between the axial restraint and rotor assembly. The magnetic forces provide axial positioning without contact, thereby maintaining axial position control while eliminating friction that would otherwise interfere with accurate imbalance detection.
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 solution significantly reduces friction and noise, enabling more accurate detection of rotor assembly imbalances and improving the balancing process.
Implementation Method 1
a first angular contact bearing installed to the rotationally stationary component and supportive of the second bearing portion, the angular contact bearing allowing for rotation of the second bearing portion relative to the rotationally stationary component
Implementation Method 2
The first bearing portion and the second bearing portion define a single point contact therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly of a rotating component and a rotationally stationary component includes a first bearing portion located at the rotating component and rotatable therewith, and a second bearing portion located at the rotationally stationary component. The second bearing portion is supported at the rotationally stationary component and rotatably with the rotating component when in contact with the first bearing portion. The first bearing portion and the second bearing portion define a single point contact therebetween.