Segmented Shaft Bearing Ring for Marine Propulsion Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing shaft bearings in marine vehicle propulsion units, which provide both radial and axial guidance, are difficult to assemble and disassemble due to their design, especially in confined spaces, requiring frequent replacement and immobilization of the marine vehicle in dry dock for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A segmented cylindrical active part ring for the shaft bearing, allowing for easier assembly and disassembly, with movable annular modules and buffers that can be accessed and replaced without removing the entire bearing, facilitating maintenance within the limited space of the propulsion unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional shaft bearing design is used, then the bearing provides both radial and axial guidance functions, but the active parts are difficult to assemble and disassemble in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The active part is divided into multiple cylindrical surfaces that can be independently removed from the annular body. This segmentation allows each surface to be accessed and replaced individually through the limited opening, eliminating the need to disassemble the entire bearing structure while maintaining the radial and axial guidance functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical surfaces are made removable from the annular body through a limited opening. This extraction allows the active parts to be accessed and replaced without dismantling the propulsion unit or requiring dry dock immobilization, significantly improving maintenance ease while preserving the bearing's structural integrity.
2Ease of repair
If the propulsion unit is dismantled for maintenance, then the active parts can be replaced, but the marine vehicle must be immobilized in dry dock
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical surfaces are extracted as removable components from the annular body, accessible through a limited opening. This allows maintenance personnel to replace worn surfaces without dismantling the entire propulsion unit, enabling repairs to be performed in-situ and eliminating the need for dry dock immobilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing design enables self-maintenance capability where the active parts can be replaced by removing and replacing cylindrical surfaces through the limited opening. This self-service approach allows maintenance to be performed during operational periods without requiring external facilities like dry docks.
3Ease of operation
If the operator works inside the mobile casing, then the propulsion unit does not need to be dismantled, but the reduced space and bulk make the work difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The active part is segmented into multiple cylindrical surfaces that can be individually accessed through a limited opening. This segmentation reduces the amount of space required for maintenance operations, as only one surface needs to be accessed at a time rather than requiring space for the entire bearing assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical surfaces are extracted as removable components accessible through a limited opening in the annular body. This extraction creates a manageable working space within the confined mobile casing, allowing the operator to remove and replace surfaces without requiring excessive clearance or dismantling surrounding components.
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
Enables efficient maintenance of shaft bearings without the need to dismantle the propulsion unit or immobilize the marine vehicle, reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency by simplifying the replacement process of active parts.
Implementation Method 1
One of the two rings has a cylindrical active part ensuring a sliding contact function with a sliding surface provided on the other ring
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
This ring (10) for a shaft bearing (8) of a marine vehicle propulsion unit comprises an annular body (20), a cylindrical active part (38) intended to provide a sliding contact function with another ring (12, 10) of the shaft bearing (8). The cylindrical active part (38) is segmented into a plurality of cylindrical surfaces, each cylindrical surface being removably fixed to the annular body (20).