Segmented Thrust Bearing Pads for Damping and Disc Tilt Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing externally pressurized fluid thrust bearings lack structural damping force and fail to actively respond to deformation and tilting of thrust discs, particularly in high-speed rotating machines operating in extreme environments.
Innovation Solution
A thrust bearing design featuring a bearing base, pad portion, and elastic support portion with symmetrical elastic bodies that are longitudinally bent twice, integrated through metal 3D printing, along with a working fluid supply line to provide high load bearing capacity, damping, and active response to deformation and tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If externally pressurized fluid thrust bearings are used with one orifice in bearing pocket, then the structure is simple, but the bearing lacks structural damping force and cannot actively respond to deformation and tilting of thrust disc
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing pad is divided into multiple segments (first pad segment, second pad segment, third pad segment) that can independently deform and tilt. This segmentation allows each segment to actively respond to local deformation and tilting of the thrust disc, providing structural damping force without requiring complex external control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing pad structure is designed to be dynamically adaptable through the elastic support portion that enables independent deformation of each pad segment. The segments can tilt and deform in response to dynamic loads and thrust disc conditions, allowing the bearing to actively cope with operating variations rather than maintaining a rigid fixed structure
2Force
If bearing pads are spaced apart in circumferential direction to support thrust disc, then load bearing capacity is improved, but damping capacity under dynamic load conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic support portion connects each spaced-apart bearing pad segment with flexible elastic bodies that can deform dynamically. This allows the pads to maintain their spaced arrangement for load bearing while the elastic connections provide dynamic damping capacity by allowing controlled movement and energy absorption during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic bodies are designed with specific geometric parameters (bent at least twice in longitudinal direction, meeting at line contact) that optimize both the load bearing capability and damping characteristics. The line contact configuration provides high load bearing capacity while the bent geometry provides elastic compliance for damping
3Manufacturing precision
If elastic bodies are bent at least twice with line contact configuration, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic bodies are designed as flexible thin-walled structures that can be bent into complex shapes (at least twice in longitudinal direction) while maintaining structural integrity. The line contact configuration is achieved through the flexible nature of these thin-walled elastic bodies, which can precisely conform to the bearing pad surface while being manufacturable through conventional processes
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 design enhances load bearing capacity, damping, and responsiveness to deformation and tilting, ensuring stable operation under static and dynamic conditions while maintaining reliability and durability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic support portion provided between the bearing base and the bearing pad to elastically support the bearing pad
Implementation Method 2
have a high load bearing capacity and a damping capacity under static and dynamic load conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a thrust bearing including: a bearing base ring-coupled to an outer diameter surface of a rotary shaft; a pad portion provided on the bearing base, in which bearing pads having a bearing surface facing a thrust disc provided outward and radially from the rotary shaft to axially support the thrust disc are circumferentially spaced apart in the bearing base; and an elastic support portion provided between the bearing base and the bearing pad to elastically support the bearing pad, wherein the elastic support portion includes first and second elastic bodies laterally symmetrical between the bearing base and the bearing pad so as to be longitudinally bent at least twice, in which longitudinal upper ends meet on a lower surface of the bearing pad to come into line contact with the bearing pad, and longitudinal lower ends are moved away and seated on the bearing base.