Thrust Bearing Temperature Sensor Layout for Leak-Safe Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bearing assemblies with thermoplastic bearing layers and temperature detecting devices face challenges in sealing performance, accessibility, and reliability, leading to increased downtime and potential oil leakages due to mechanical defects and the need for disassembly when defects occur.
Innovation Solution
A bearing assembly design featuring a thermoplastic bearing layer with a through hole having a chamfer or step for improved sealing, a temperature conducting element with a correspondingly shaped head for secure positioning, and a temperature sensor accessible from the side for easier maintenance, along with an anti-rotation pin and resilient securing fixtures to prevent damage and leakage.
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 process is simplified, but the sealing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The through hole is divided into two distinct sections: a first section in the bearing layer and a second section in the backing material. This segmentation allows different sealing mechanisms to be applied to each section, with the form-fitting head providing sealing in the bearing layer and the collar providing sealing in the backing material, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different geometric features are applied to different locations of the temperature conducting element: a head with form-fitting surfaces at the first end for sealing in the bearing layer, and a collar at the second end for sealing in the backing material. This local differentiation of geometric properties ensures optimal sealing at each location while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the temperature conducting element is secured rigidly to the main body, then the positioning precision is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to mechanical defects
Solution Approach 1:
The securing fixture is designed to resiliently secure the temperature conducting element, allowing for dynamic adjustment and compensation of positioning deviations. The resilient nature of the fixture enables it to maintain secure contact while accommodating thermal expansion and mechanical deformations, thus improving reliability without sacrificing positioning precision.
3Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is positioned to access the temperature conducting element, then the temperature detection accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to disassembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is positioned to access the temperature conducting element from a direction transverse to the bearing surface, rather than from the bearing surface side. This dimensional change in access path allows the temperature sensor to be positioned for accurate measurement while being accessible from the opposite side of the bearing assembly, improving ease of maintenance without compromising temperature detection accuracy.
4Ease of operation
If the temperature conducting element protrudes above the bearing surface, then the accessibility for maintenance is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to contact with the shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature conducting element is nested within the through hole of the bearing assembly, with its first end positioned at or below the bearing surface and its second end extending through the backing material. This nested configuration protects the temperature conducting element from contact with the shaft while maintaining accessibility through the backing material side, thus improving reliability without sacrificing maintenance accessibility.
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 ensures reliable sealing, reduced downtime for maintenance, and improved accessibility for temperature sensor replacement, preventing lubricant leakage and enhancing the overall serviceability and accuracy of temperature detection.
Implementation Method 1
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 2
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 preferably ii) is located slightly below said bearing surface, a temperature sensor being in contact with the temperature conducting element
Implementation Method 3
a securing fixture that attaches the temperature conducting element resiliently to the main body
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a bearing assembly (21, 22) for a turbo-engine, comprising a bearing and parts of a bearing temperature detecting device (60), the bearing comprising: a main body (24) having a thermoplastic bearing layer (28) that forms a bearing surface (30), a space (38) is defined in the interior of the main body (24) and of the thermoplastic bearing layer (28) at least for accommodating parts of the bearing temperature detecting device (60), wherein the space (38) comprises a through hole (42) having a first opening (36) located in the bearing surface (30) of the thermoplastic bearing layer (28) and a second opening (40) located in the sec- ond surface (32) of the main body (24), wherein the parts comprise a temperature conducting element (46) having a peripheral surface and a first end (48) with a first end surface, a temperature sensor (64) in contact with the temperature conducting element (46) and a securing fixture (53) that attaches the temperature conducting element. To provide a bearing assembly with improved sealing properties, the first opening (36) of the through hole (42) comprises a chamfer (43) or a step and the first end (48) of temperature conducting element (46) comprises a head which is correspondingly shaped to the chamfer (43) or step in a form fitting manner with the chamfer (43) or step. For reduced downtime in a case of a temperature sensor (64) defect, the center-axis of the temperature sensor extends transversely to the center-axis of the temperature conducting element.