Spring-Loaded Radial Positioning for Thermal Expansion Compliance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Precision mechanisms face challenges in maintaining precise radial positioning and accommodating differential thermal expansion without generating stress, as interference fits and adhesives can complicate assembly and lead to deformation or failure.
Innovation Solution
A radial positioning device with a body featuring a circumferential surface and a recess, incorporating a spring that biases the interface portion against a mating component, allowing for relative axial movement while maintaining radial positioning, thus accommodating thermal expansion without excessive stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an interference fit and/or adhesive coupling is used between the rotatable component and bearings, then relative radial movement is eliminated and precise rotational motion is provided, but relative axial movement is prevented which generates stress in the rotatable component and support structure due to differential thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple bearing supports, with at least one being an axial movement compliant bearing support that allows differential axial movement between the rotatable component and support structure, thereby accommodating thermal expansion while maintaining radial positioning precision
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing support design is changed to provide axial compliance, allowing the system to accommodate parameter changes in axial dimension due to thermal expansion while maintaining precise radial positioning through the bearing interface
2Stress or pressure
If custom bearings or axially compliant flexures are used to accommodate differential thermal expansion, then thermal stress is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing support serves multiple functions: it provides radial positioning precision through the bearing interface while simultaneously accommodating axial thermal expansion through its compliant design, eliminating the need for separate custom components
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing support structure itself is designed to be axially compliant, allowing it to self-accommodate thermal expansion without requiring additional specialized components like custom bearings or external flexures
3Manufacturing precision
If interference fits and adhesives are used to eliminate gaps between shaft and bearing, then precise radial positioning is achieved, but assembly complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing interface acts as an intermediary mechanism that provides precise radial positioning through its inherent bearing-bushing geometry, eliminating the need for interference fits or adhesives while maintaining assembly simplicity
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 solution provides a low-cost, easy-to-assemble mechanism that deterministically locates components radially and allows axial movement, minimizing thermal-induced stress and deformation, while ensuring precise rotational motion.
Implementation Method 1
The spring can be operable to contact the mating component at the spring location and compress in the radial dimension to provide a spring force that biases the at least one interface portion of the body and the mating component against one another
Implementation Method 2
thermal conditions and the materials utilized (with respect to coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE)) may result in differential thermal expansion between the rotatable component and its support structure in an axial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A radial positioning device is disclosed. The radial positioning device can include a body. The body can include a circumferential surface having a spring location and at least one interface portion operable to interface with a mating component. The body can also have a recess with a depth that varies relative to the circumferential surface about the body. The radial positioning device can also include a spring disposed in the recess. The spring can have a radial dimension greater than the depth of the recess at the spring location. The spring can be operable to contact the mating component at the spring location and compress in the radial dimension to provide a spring force that biases the at least one interface portion and the mating component against one another.