Thrust Bearing Nozzle Convex Point Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oiling nozzles for thrust bearings cause surface-to-surface contact between the nozzle's lateral side and the pad, restricting the pad's ability to rotate parallel to the rotor shaft's axis, resulting in insufficient tilting capability and high metal temperatures at high bearing pressures.
Innovation Solution
The oiling nozzle is designed with convex parts that point-support the pad's lateral sides, allowing rotation and efficient lubrication through nozzle holes in the mainframe's top portion, which are sloped to effectively supply oil to the sliding surfaces, reducing metal temperature even at high pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the oiling nozzle uses surface-to-surface contact with the pad, then the structure is simple and stable, but the pad cannot rotate and the following capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the flat contact surface with a convex curved surface on the oiling nozzle. This convex part makes point contact with the pad, allowing the pad to rotate freely while maintaining structural simplicity. The curved geometry enables the pad to tilt and follow rotor shaft movements without complex mechanisms.
2Temperature
If conventional oiling nozzles are used, then the structure is simple, but the lubrication efficiency is insufficient and metal temperature increases at high bearing pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning nozzle holes at specific locations on the mainframe that directly face the pad's sliding surfaces. The lubrication oil is ejected precisely where it is needed - onto the sliding surfaces - ensuring efficient lubrication at high bearing pressures and preventing metal temperature increase.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pad is constrained by surface contact, then the bearing structure is stable, but the tilting capability and following capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The convex curved surface on the oiling nozzle creates point contact with the pad, which inherently allows rotational movement while maintaining positional stability. The curvature geometry provides stable support through the convex part while enabling the pad to tilt and adapt to rotor shaft movements, achieving both stability and adaptability simultaneously.
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 the pad's tilting capability and maintains lower metal temperatures at high bearing pressures, improving the thrust bearing's performance and applicability to larger rotating machines.
Implementation Method 1
the lubricating oil is thoroughly supplied (ejected) from the nozzle holes formed in the top portion of the mainframe toward the lateral sides of the pad
Implementation Method 2
the thus supplied lubricating oil can be efficiently supplied to the sliding surfaces of the pads. Therefore, the metal temperature of the pads can be reduced lower than conventional cases at a high bearing pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an oiling nozzle for a thrust bearing, capable of improving the following capability of pads, and achieving a higher bearing pressure of the thrust bearing. An oiling nozzle (12) which is for use in a thrust bearing and is respectively arranged between pads disposed in positions facing the thrust surface of a thrust collar that protrudes radially outward from a rotor shaft, along the circumferential direction, wherein the oiling nozzle comprises: a cylindrical stem; and a rectangular-shaped mainframe (31) whose heightwise middle portions of opposite lateral sides are provided with convex parts (34) each presenting a semicircular disk shape in a plane view, to be fitted into concave parts that are formed in lateral sides of the pads, and whose top portion located on the side opposite to the stem is formed with a plurality of nozzle holes (38 and 39) for ejecting lubricating oil that has been supplied from the bottom of the stem toward a space between the thrust collar and the pads.