Segmented Crown Gear for Electromagnetic Coupling Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic gear couplings for large drives, such as ship drives, require time-consuming and physically demanding disassembly for replacing damaged crown gears, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
The electromagnetic gear coupling design allows for quick replacement of damaged crown gears by dividing them into segments with a number of teeth that is an integer multiple of n (n ≥ 2), where n ≥ 3, and using fastening means like screws and cylindrical pins, enabling segment-by-segment replacement without disassembling the entire coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the crown gear is made as a single integrated component, then the structural strength and reliability are improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates because the entire coupling must be disassembled to replace a damaged crown gear
Solution Approach 1:
The crown gear is divided into multiple segments that can be detached from each other. Each segment can be independently removed and replaced without disassembling the entire coupling, while the segmented structure is designed to maintain structural integrity during operation. The segments are connected through a mechanism that allows both strength and easy replacement.
2Manufacturing precision
If the coupling is designed as a single integrated unit, then the manufacturing precision and assembly simplicity are improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming disassembly for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The crown gear is segmented into removable sections that can be independently accessed and replaced. The segmentation is designed with standardized connection interfaces that maintain assembly precision while allowing quick removal and replacement of individual segments without disassembling the entire coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The crown gear segments are designed to be extractable from the coupling assembly without removing the entire coupling from the drive system. This allows maintenance personnel to quickly remove and replace damaged segments while the rest of the coupling remains in place, significantly reducing maintenance downtime.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the crown gear is made as a single piece, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to physically demanding disassembly for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The crown gear is divided into segments that can be independently handled and replaced. The segmentation reduces the weight and size of individual components, making them easier to manipulate and replace without requiring heavy disassembly equipment or multiple personnel, while the segmented structure maintains overall structural stability through proper connection design.
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
Facilitates rapid and easy replacement of damaged crown gear segments, reducing downtime and physical effort, as only the affected parts need to be removed and replaced, maintaining efficient torque transmission.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet (5) which can be electrically excited... when the electromagnet is electrically excited
Implementation Method 2
intermediate arrangement of a spring means (10)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an electromagnetic gear coupling (1a), in particular for ship drives, comprising a first part (2a) connectable to a drive/output shaft (6), and which comprises an electromagnet holder (4a) and an electromagnet (5) which can be electrically excited, a first crown gear (8) that is detachably connected to the first part (2a), a second part (3a) acting as an anchor, connectable to the output/drive shaft (7), and a second crown gear (9) that is detachably connected to the second part (3a) in such a way to engage in a positive locking manner the first crown gear (8) to transmit torque, the first and/or second part (3a) being formed of at least two pieces (3a', 3a") which are movably arranged relative to each other in axial direction of the coupling by an intermediate arrangement of a spring means (10), the electromagnetic gear coupling (la) transmitting torque from the first to the second part when the electromagnet is electrically excited, characterized in that the first (8) and/or second (9) crown gears are divided into n segments and have a number of teeth that is an integer multiple of n, wherein n > 2, preferably n > 3, and wherein the first and/or second crown gears are connected with the first and the second part, respectively, with fastening means (11) arranged in the radial direction of each crown gear.