Thrust Bearing Assembly With Sealed Temperature Sensor Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bearing assemblies with thermoplastic layers and temperature detecting devices require disassembly for maintenance, leading to prolonged downtime and potential oil leakages due to mechanical defects and limited accessibility of temperature sensors.
Innovation Solution
A bearing assembly design featuring a thermoplastic bearing layer with a through hole having a chamfer or step for improved sealing and positioning of the temperature conducting element, along with a transversely oriented second hole for easier sensor access and an anti-rotation pin for secure fixation, allowing for resilient attachment and reduced maintenance time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the temperature conducting element is inserted into a through hole from the side opposite to the bearing surface, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the sealing performance deteriorates and oil leakages occur
Solution Approach 1:
The through hole is segmented into two functional zones: a sealed first portion extending from the bearing surface with a smaller diameter, and a second portion extending through the main body with a larger diameter. This segmentation allows the temperature conducting element to be sealed in the first portion while providing adequate insertion space in the second portion, resolving the contradiction between sealing performance and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The first portion of the through hole is designed with a smaller diameter specifically at the bearing surface side to achieve tight sealing around the temperature conducting element, while the second portion has a larger diameter to facilitate insertion. This local variation in geometry provides different qualities in different regions of the same hole, simultaneously achieving both sealing and ease of manufacture.
2Manufacturing precision
If the temperature conducting element is secured with a mechanical fixture, then the positioning is improved, but mechanical defects lead to oil leakages
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical fixture is completely removed from the design. Instead of using a separate securing component that could fail, the temperature conducting element is retained purely by the friction fit within the precisely dimensioned first portion of the through hole. This extraction of the mechanical fixture eliminates the source of mechanical defects while maintaining positioning accuracy through the interference fit design.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature conducting element secures itself within the bearing assembly through the friction fit between its outer surface and the inner surface of the first portion of the through hole. The element's own dimensions and the hole's precision geometry work together to provide retention without requiring additional securing components, making the system self-sufficient and more reliable.
3Reliability
If the temperature sensor is located within the bearing assembly, then the temperature detection is integrated, but the accessibility for maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is segmented to provide a separate maintenance access path. The second opening in the main body creates an independent access route to the second portion of the through hole where the temperature conducting element and sensor are located. This allows maintenance personnel to access and replace the temperature sensor from the opposite side without disassembling the bearing, maintaining both integration and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Access to the temperature sensing components is provided from a different spatial dimension - through the second opening in the main body rather than through the bearing surface side. This dimensional approach to accessibility allows maintenance without disassembly, as the second opening provides a direct path to the components from the opposite direction.
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 sealing performance, reduces downtime by facilitating easier sensor replacement, and prevents lubricant leakages, ensuring reliable and efficient operation of the bearing assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature conducting element assembled into the through hole such, that its first end i) flushes with the bearing surface of the thermoplastic bearing layer or advantageously ii) is located slightly below said bearing surface, a temperature sensor being in contact with the temperature conducting element
Implementation Method 2
the first opening of the through hole comprises a chamfer or a step and the first end of temperature conducting element comprises a head which is correspondingly shaped to the chamfer or step in a form fitting manner with the chamfer or step
Implementation Method 3
a securing fixture that attaches the temperature conducting element resiliently to the main body
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing assembly for a turbo-engine with a bearing and parts of a bearing temperature detecting device. The bearing includes a main body having a thermoplastic bearing layer. A space is defined in the interior of the main body and of the thermoplastic bearing layer for accommodating parts of the bearing temperature detecting device. The space has a through hole having a first opening in the thermoplastic bearing layer and a second opening located in the main body. The parts include a temperature conducting element, a temperature sensor, and a securing fixture that attaches the temperature conducting element. The first opening of the through hole has a chamfer and the first end of temperature conducting element has a head which is correspondingly shaped to the chamfer in a form fitting manner. The center-axis of the temperature sensor extends transversely to the center-axis of the temperature conducting element.