Wind-Assisted Rotor Limiting Rollers for Radial Runout Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind-assisted propulsion rotors face issues with radial runout and oscillation due to deviations in coaxiality between the outer and inner cylinders, leading to instability and reduced service life of limiting wheel devices, increased assembly workload, and potential safety hazards during high-speed operation.
Innovation Solution
A limiting apparatus with roller mechanisms, adjustment mechanisms, and elastic members that ensure consistent force application between limiting rollers and the outer cylinder, facilitated by pressure detection and alarm mechanisms, allowing for precise assembly and adjustment, and improved contact stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple limiting wheel devices are arranged along the circumference of the outer cylinder to limit radial runout, then the radial runout is limited, but the assembly workload increases and mounting precision control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The limiting apparatus is divided into multiple independent limiting units distributed along the outer periphery or inner periphery of the outer cylinder. Each limiting unit includes a roller mechanism, adjustment mechanism, and elastic member, allowing independent installation and adjustment. This segmentation reduces the overall assembly workload while maintaining effective limitation of radial runout through distributed positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting brackets are pre-equipped with adjustment mechanisms and elastic members during manufacturing. The elastic members are pre-installed to provide preliminary cushioning and force application. This preliminary preparation simplifies the on-site assembly process by reducing the need for complex field adjustments and precision control during installation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the axles of limiting wheels are slidably disposed on the base, then the assembly is simple, but the contact stability between limiting wheels and outer cylinder is low
Solution Approach 1:
An elastic member is introduced as an intermediary between the limiting roller and the outer cylinder. This elastic member provides consistent contact force and absorbs variations in coaxiality deviations, thereby improving contact stability without complicating the sliding axle configuration. The elastic member acts as a mediator that compensates for assembly errors while maintaining simple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member allows the contact parameters between the limiting roller and outer cylinder to dynamically adjust. As the outer cylinder rotates and experiences coaxiality deviations, the elastic member compresses and extends, automatically adjusting the contact force to maintain stable contact. This parameter change capability improves reliability without affecting assembly simplicity.
3Speed
If high-speed rotation of the outer cylinder is achieved, then the propulsion effect is enhanced, but oscillation increases and service life of limiting devices decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Elastic members are installed in each limiting unit to provide beforehand cushioning for the high-speed rotation. These elastic members absorb shocks and vibrations that occur during high-speed operation, cushioning the impacts between the limiting rollers and the outer cylinder. This prior cushioning prevents excessive oscillation and reduces wear on limiting devices, thereby extending service life while enabling high-speed rotation.
4Productivity
If assembly error of multiple limiting wheel devices is large, then the assembly workload is reduced, but severe oscillation occurs during high-speed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic members enable the limiting units to adapt to assembly errors by changing their compression parameters. Each limiting unit can independently adjust its contact force through elastic deformation, compensating for variations in assembly positioning. This parameter adaptability allows larger assembly tolerances without causing severe oscillation, thereby improving assembly efficiency while maintaining operational stability.
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
Enhances stability and extends the service life of the outer cylinder by ensuring consistent force application, reduces assembly workload, and prevents oscillation, thereby ensuring smooth high-speed operation and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic member is clamped between the adjustment assembly and the second end
Implementation Method 2
The operating principle of a wind-assisted propulsion rotor is the Magnus effect. A ship equipped with a wind-assisted propulsion rotor, when in a crosswind or oblique wind condition, can adjust the rotation direction of the rotor to generate thrust in the forward direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Provided are a limiting apparatus for a wind-assisted propulsion rotor and a wind-assisted propulsion system. The limiting apparatus for a wind-assisted propulsion rotor provided by the present application includes multiple limiting units distributed along an outer periphery or an inner periphery of an outer cylinder. Each limiting unit includes a roller mechanism, an adjustment mechanism, and an elastic member. A first end of a mounting bracket in the roller mechanism is rotatably disposed on a base or an inner tower. A limiting roller in the roller mechanism is rotatably disposed on a second end of the mounting bracket. An outer peripheral surface of the limiting roller abuts against an outer wall or an inner wall of the outer cylinder. One end of an adjustment assembly in the adjustment mechanism abuts against the second end of the mounting bracket. The adjustment assembly is configured to adjust the force between the limiting roller and the outer cylinder. The elastic member is clamped between the adjustment assembly and the second end of the mounting bracket.