Rotor Balancing Retaining Assembly With Single-Point Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional axial restraints in rotor assembly balancing increase friction and induce noise and resonance, making it difficult to accurately detect imbalances in gas turbine engines.

Innovation Solution

A system using an arbor with rotationally stationary axial restraints and single-point contact bearing assemblies to limit axial travel and reduce friction, featuring angular contact bearings and adapters that allow rotation relative to the central axis, minimizing angular moment forces and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering 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 stability is improved, but friction increases and noise and resonance are produced that interrupt the balancing software signal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial position stabilityVSAvoidfriction, noise, and resonance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical axial restraints that create friction and noise with a magnetic field-based restraint system. The magnetic restraint assembly uses magnetic fields to provide axial positioning and restraint forces without physical contact, thereby eliminating friction, noise, and resonance that interrupt balancing software signals while maintaining axial position stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Force

If a typical axial restraint is used to limit axial travel, then axial travel control is improved, but angular moment forces are added to the system which may alter the detection of true rotor assembly imbalance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial travel controlVSAvoidimbalance detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes magnetic field-based restraint for mechanical contact-based restraint. The magnetic restraint assembly provides axial travel control through magnetic forces without physical contact, thereby eliminating the generation of angular moment forces that would otherwise alter the detection of true rotor assembly imbalance, improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Force

If traditional axial restraints are used, then axial restraint function is achieved, but friction between stationary and rotating surfaces increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial restraint forceVSAvoidfriction

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based axial restraints with a magnetic field-based restraint system. The magnetic restraint assembly uses magnetic fields to provide axial restraint forces without physical contact between stationary and rotating surfaces, thereby eliminating friction and the associated energy loss while maintaining the axial restraint function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This configuration reduces friction and noise, facilitating the detection of true rotor assembly imbalances by eliminating angular moment forces and resonance, leading to more accurate balancing.

Implementation Method 1

The first arbor bearing portion and the first restraint bearing portion are configured to define a single point contact therebetween. The second arbor bearing portion and the second restraint bearing portion are configured to define a single point contact therebetween.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSingle point contact: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The first restraint bearing portion includes a first adapter installed to the first axial restraint, and a first angular contact bearing installed to the first axial restraint and supportive of the first adapter. The first angular contact bearing allows for rotation of the first adapter about the central longitudinal axis relative to the first axial restraint.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngular contact bearing: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentEP4086430A1Retaining system for rotor balancing

Publication Date: 2022.11.09 RTX CORP

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AI summary

An assembly of a rotating component (14) and a rotationally stationary component (20) includes a first bearing portion (54) located at the rotating component (14) and rotatable therewith, and a second bearing portion (44) located at the rotationally stationary component (20). The second bearing portion (44) is supported at the rotationally stationary component (20) and rotatably with the rotating component (14) when in contact with the first bearing portion (54). The first bearing portion (54) and the second bearing portion (44) define a single point contact therebetween.