Thrust Bearing Leverage Mechanism for Homogeneous Force Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current thrust bearing assemblies for turbines face issues with unequal force distribution, leading to overheating and jamming due to constructional limitations and high production accuracy requirements, particularly when dealing with a larger number of tilting pads.

Innovation Solution

A thrust bearing assembly with a leverage mechanism featuring an endless overlapping arrangement of arcuate-shaped levering plates, where at least one set of plates is tiltable in all directions, utilizing ball-shaped protrusions and sockets, and supporting pins to ensure homogeneous force distribution across multiple tilting pads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the number of tilting pads is increased to handle higher loads, then the load capacity is improved, but the force distribution becomes unequal leading to overheating and jamming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload capacityVSAvoidforce distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The leverage mechanism is segmented into multiple first levering plates and second levering plates that form an endless overlapping arrangement. Each levering plate independently transmits force through ball-shaped protrusions and sockets, creating multiple discrete force transmission paths that distribute thrust power uniformly across all tilting pads, preventing localized overheating and jamming while maintaining high load capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The levering plates are designed to be tiltable in all directions through ball-shaped protrusions and sockets, allowing dynamic adaptation to load variations. This dynamic capability enables each plate to self-adjust its orientation, ensuring homogeneous force distribution across all tilting pads even when the number of pads is increased to handle higher loads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the shape of contact surfaces of levering plates is adjusted to improve force distribution, then the force distribution is improved, but the solution is feasible only for a smaller number of tilting pads imposing constructional limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce distribution uniformityVSAvoidnumber of tilting pads

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ball-shaped protrusion and socket mechanism provides a universal connection that works effectively regardless of the number of tilting pads. This universal design allows the same levering plate structure to be used in configurations with different numbers of pads (including up to twenty pads), eliminating the constructional limitations that plague pad-specific designs while maintaining homogeneous force distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If levering plates are allowed to move along one axis to improve force distribution, then the force distribution is improved, but very high technological and accuracy requirements in production are imposed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce distribution uniformityVSAvoidproduction accuracy requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ball-shaped protrusions and sockets provide spherical freedom of movement for the levering plates, allowing tilting in all directions without requiring precise linear alignment. This spherical mechanism naturally accommodates manufacturing tolerances and misalignments, achieving homogeneous force distribution without imposing very high technological and accuracy requirements in production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 homogeneous distribution of thrust power across all tilting pads, preventing overloading and overheating, and allowing for the design of bearings with up to twenty pads, while minimizing equalizing forces and production complexity.

Implementation Method 1

the levering plate comprises a recess (preferably a substantially spherical, conical or cylindrical recess) with a ball-shaped protrusion within the recess, and the supporting pin comprises a ball-shaped socket fitting the ball-shaped protrusion of the levering plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall and socket joint: Ball

Data Source

PatentUS10247231B2Thrust bearing assembly

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 DOOSAN SKODA POWER SRO

AI summary

Provided is a thrust bearing assembly including a casing, a supporting ring positioned within said casing, a leverage mechanism housed within said casing, tilting pads for contacting rotor, supporting discs connecting said leverage mechanism with said tilting pads via openings in said casing, wherein the leverage mechanism includes a plurality of first levering plates and an equal number of second levering plates, the first and second levering plates forming an endless overlapping arrangement within said casing, each first levering plate touching at contact surfaces two second levering plates and vice versa, wherein the levering plates are preferably substantially arcuate-shaped, and wherein at least all first levering plates or at least all second levering plates are tiltingly positioned on supporting pins, whereas the levering plate includes a recess with a ball-shaped protrusion within the recess, and the supporting pin includes a ball-shaped socket fitting the ball-shaped protrusion of the levering plate.