Ship Engine Axial Vibration Damper with 3D Oil Flow Path

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing axial vibration dampers for ship engines face challenges in enhancing damping performance while maintaining the outer dimensions and securing oil movement paths, particularly in reducing axial vibrations transmitted to ship hulls.

Innovation Solution

The axial vibration damper design includes a body unit with an annular cam portion and oil chambers, a lower frame with a socket unit and cap communicating holes, and an upper cover forming an oil flow path, allowing for adjustable cross-sectional area and gap in the oil movement path, along with an oil seal to prevent leakage, and height adjusting members to optimize damping performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the outer dimensions of the damper are maintained, then the overall size and installation space are preserved, but the oil movement path is limited and damping performance cannot be enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping performanceVSAvoidoil movement path area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar oil flow path to a three-dimensional spatial flow path by introducing a vertically extending communication hole through the lower frame and oblique communication holes in the cap. This allows oil to travel through multiple levels and angles, maximizing the flow path length and damping effect within the constrained outer dimensions of the damper.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the cross-sectional area and gap of the oil movement path are increased, then damping performance is enhanced, but the outer dimensions of the damper must be altered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping performanceVSAvoiddamper dimension
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by extending the oil communication hole through the lower frame in the thickness direction, and incorporates oblique communication holes that extend in multiple directions. This three-dimensional oil flow path configuration allows the damper to achieve enhanced damping performance through increased oil movement path length and cross-sectional area without increasing the overall outer dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the oil movement path is maximized for enhanced damping, then vibration reduction is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration reductionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the oil communication system into multiple segmented components: a vertical communication hole through the lower frame, oblique communication holes in the cap, and a flow path formed between the cap and lower frame. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function while collectively achieving a maximized oil movement path for enhanced vibration reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the damper is designed for normal operation, then damping performance is optimized, but minimal oil movement path is not secured for breakdown conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping performanceVSAvoidbreakdown tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a backup oil flow path configuration where the flow path between the cap and lower frame serves as an alternative route. This preliminary design ensures that if the primary communication holes become blocked during operation, oil can still move through the alternative path, maintaining minimal damping functionality under breakdown conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This design enhances damping performance by securing a maximal oil movement path without altering the damper's dimensions, increasing torsion damping, and allowing minimal oil movement during breakdowns, effectively reducing axial vibrations transmitted to the ship's hull.

Implementation Method 1

The cam portion (11a) pressurizes oil to move the oil into the other oil chamber (111)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

an oil seal (140) positioned between an outer surface of the lower frame (120) and an inner surface of the upper cover (130) and preventing the leakage of oil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 3

axial vibrations, transmitted as they are to the hulls of ships, need to be reduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2818401B1Axial vibration damper assembly and engine for ship including the same
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 HD HYUNDAI HEAVY IND CO LTD
  • EP2818401B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2818401B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2818401B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

There is provided an axial vibration damper including: a body unit allowing a crank shaft, of an engine for a ship, having an annular cam portion, to penetrate therethrough, and including a pair of oil chambers in contact with both sides of the cap portion to accommodate oil therein and at least one communicating hole, respectively, formed at upper ends of the pair of oil chambers; a lower frame coupled to the top of the body unit and having cap communicating holes corresponding to the at least one communicating hole; and an upper cover coupled to an upper end of the lower frame and forming an oil communicating flow path together with the lower frame.