Self-Aligning Foil Bearing for Gas Turbine Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foil bearing systems for gas turbine engines face challenges in effectively handling misalignment, which affects their performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A self-aligning foil bearing system that includes a foil bearing, a housing, a fulcrum, and axial springs, which aligns with the axis of rotation and provides radial frictional damping to maintain a hydrodynamic air film, preventing contact between the rotor and the foil bearing during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing foil bearing systems are used, then the structure is simple, but misalignment handling capability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing system incorporates a compliant housing that can dynamically adjust its orientation to accommodate misalignment between the rotor and stator. The housing acts as a flexible element that bends and rotates to maintain optimal bearing alignment, transforming a static rigid structure into a dynamic adaptive system that self-adjusts to misalignment conditions
Solution Approach 2:
A fulcrum is introduced as an intermediary pivot point between the bearing housing and the engine structure. This fulcrum enables the housing to rotate and adjust its angle relative to the stator, serving as a mechanical mediator that decouples the rigid mounting structure from the flexible bearing alignment requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid bearing housings are used, then manufacturing is easy, but alignment adjustment capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing housing is designed as a thin-walled compliant structure that can elastically deform and bend to accommodate misalignment. This flexible shell approach allows the housing to act as a spring element, absorbing angular deviations through elastic deformation while maintaining structural integrity and supporting bearing loads
3Reliability
If misalignment is not properly handled, then the system remains simple, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing system is designed to self-align and self-adjust to misalignment conditions without requiring external control systems or complex adjustment mechanisms. The compliant housing automatically bends and rotates to maintain optimal bearing alignment, and the fulcrum provides automatic pivot point functionality, enabling the system to service its own alignment requirements through passive mechanical compliance
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 system effectively transmits rotor loads and maintains alignment, reducing wear and stress, and providing Coulomb damping to manage vibratory loads, thereby enhancing the operational stability and efficiency of gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
provides radial frictional damping to maintain a hydrodynamic air film, preventing contact between the rotor and the foil bearing during operation
Implementation Method 2
provides radial frictional damping to maintain a hydrodynamic air film
Implementation Method 3
providing Coulomb damping to manage vibratory loads
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the present invention is a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment is a unique machine. A further embodiment is a unique self-aligning foil bearing system. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for machines and self-aligning foil bearing systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.