Spin Test Rotor Support With Deformable Annular Constraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spin test devices for unbalanced rotors generate immense forces, noise, and vibrations, leading to potential damage and instability, and require pre-balancing and subsequent re-balancing, making them cumbersome and costly.
Innovation Solution
A rotational control device with a frame, body, and constraint means featuring a deformable connector to absorb vibrations and stabilize the rotor during high-speed testing, allowing tests on unbalanced rotors while reducing noise and vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stiff and very heavy mechanical structures are used to reduce vibrations and noise during spin test, then the stability and damage resistance improve, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a deformable connector that can absorb vibrations and shocks before they propagate through the mechanical structure. This connector is designed to deform under the immense forces generated during spin testing of unbalanced rotors, thereby cushioning the impact and reducing vibrations and noise without requiring the entire structure to be stiff and heavy.
2Reliability
If pre-balancing is performed before spin test, then the damage risk and noise reduce, but the productivity decreases due to additional balancing phases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the deformable connector to automatically adapt and absorb vibrations during the spin test without requiring external intervention or pre-balancing operations. The connector self-adjusts to the unbalanced conditions and provides vibration damping in real-time, eliminating the need for separate balancing phases and thereby maintaining productivity while ensuring reliability.
3Ease of operation
If cantilever motor constraint is used for greater speed and ergonomics, then the ease of operation improves, but the stability deteriorates due to greater instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies intermediary by introducing the deformable connector as a mediating element between the motor and the rotor. This connector serves as a buffer that allows the motor to be constrainted in a cantilever configuration for ease of operation while simultaneously absorbing the instability and vibrations generated during spin testing, thereby maintaining both ergonomics and stability.
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 stable and efficient spin testing on unbalanced rotors by minimizing noise and vibrations, reducing the risk of damage, and simplifying the device's structure and operation.
Implementation Method 1
constraint means (4) comprising a deformable connector (41c) suitable to absorb vibrations
Implementation Method 2
deformable connector (41c) suitable to absorb vibrations
Implementation Method 3
to compact by centrifugal force all pieces constituting the rotor so as to make the whole more stabilized
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A rotational control device (1) for spin test is provided comprising a supporting frame (2); a body (3) suitable to be coupled with an external rotor (10) and connected to the frame (2); constraint means (4) configured to constrain unstably the frame (2) and the body (3) so as to define a rotation axis (2a) around which the body (3) rotates with respect to the frame (2) and including at least a rolling bearing (40) centered with respect to the rotation axis (2a) and connected to the body (3) so as to surround the body (3), an annular stator (41) centered with respect to the rotation axis (2a), connected between bearing (40) and frame (2) so as to surround the bearing (40) and including a first stiff annular portion (41a) connected to the bearing (40), a second stiff annular portion (41b) connected to the frame (2), wherein the portions (41a, 41b) are mutually distinct and separate, and the stator (41) further includes a deformable annular connector (41c) through which the portions (41a, 41b) are mutually constrained to allow relative motions between the portions (41a, 41b) even in a plane normal to the rotation axis (2a).