Self-Aligning Journal Bearing for Rotary Machine Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional journal bearings in rotary machines, such as pumps, face limitations due to small shaft deflections leading to misalignment issues, which result in non-uniform load bearing and operational problems, necessitating oversized designs to accommodate expected misalignment, increasing weight and size.
Innovation Solution
A self-aligning journal bearing assembly with a recessed bearing member and a journal sleeve featuring a flexible joint connection, allowing for rotation and misalignment accommodation, utilizing a crowned inner diameter surface and a pin connection to maintain alignment and reduce size and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional journal bearings are used with rigid shaft support, then manufacturing precision and alignment are maintained, but the bearing assembly requires larger size and weight to accommodate expected misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the bearing assembly itself movable through the spherical mounting interface between the bearing housing and pump housing. This spherical connection allows the bearing assembly to dynamically adjust its position and orientation to accommodate shaft misalignment, eliminating the need for oversized rigid bearings while maintaining proper alignment under varying operating conditions.
2Reliability
If oversized bearing assemblies are designed to accommodate misalignment, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical mounting interface creates a dynamic adaptation mechanism that automatically adjusts bearing position to maintain reliability under misalignment conditions, without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms or multiple bearing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical mounting interface acts as an intermediary element between the bearing assembly and pump housing, providing a simple yet effective means to accommodate misalignment through geometric flexibility rather than complex mechanical adjustments.
3Manufacturing precision
If rigid shaft support is used, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but adaptability to misalignment conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is made dynamically adaptable through the spherical mounting interface, allowing it to automatically adjust to various misalignment conditions while maintaining proper shaft support and alignment during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical connection enables changes in the bearing assembly's positional parameters (location and orientation) to accommodate misalignment, transforming the system from a fixed rigid support to an adaptable support that maintains precision under varying conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A rotary machine includes a housing (112), and a rotating component (120) received therein for rotation relative to the housing (112). A shaft (122) imparts rotational movement to the rotating component (120) around a first axis from an associated motive input. A bearing assembly (206) is interposed between the rotating shaft (122) and the housing (112) and the bearing assembly (206) includes a bearing member (224) that is self -aligning. The self-aligning bearing assembly (206) includes a bearing member (224) having a recess (222) extending substantially parallel to the first axis, and a journal sleeve (220) received in the recess (222) and interposed between the shaft (122) and the bearing member (224). The journal sleeve (220) is fixed to the shaft (122) for rotation therewith and includes a flexible joint connection with the shaft (122) to permit self -alignment of the shaft (122) and bearing (224).