Thrust Bearing Shaft Cooling via Sealing Ribs and Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air cycle machines with thrust bearings face challenges in efficiently managing air flow and sealing between the thrust bearing surfaces and the housing, leading to potential inefficiencies and instability in rotor operation.
Innovation Solution
A thrust bearing shaft with a radially enlarged thrust disk and sealing ribs, featuring six holes spaced 60° about a centerline, which extends from both faces of the disk to provide enhanced air flow control and sealing, is integrated into the air cycle machine, allowing precise air distribution and improved sealing through a specific geometric configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling air is passed along thrust bearing surfaces and between the shaft and housing portions, then cooling of the bearing surfaces is improved, but air flow control and sealing between the shaft and housing becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The thrust bearing shaft is divided into multiple functional zones: a thrust disk portion with bearing surfaces, a shaft portion with sealing ribs, and a cooling air passage system with multiple holes. This segmentation allows independent optimization of cooling efficiency and sealing performance, with sealing ribs creating distinct sealed regions that control air flow paths
Solution Approach 2:
Sealing ribs act as intermediary elements between the shaft and housing portions, creating seal regions that control and direct cooling air flow. These ribs mediate the interaction between the moving shaft and stationary housing, ensuring proper air distribution to thrust bearing surfaces while maintaining sealing integrity
2Ease of manufacture
If the shaft structure is simplified, then manufacturing ease is improved, but air flow distribution and sealing capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The thrust bearing shaft integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides thrust bearing surfaces, incorporates sealing ribs for air flow control, includes cooling air passages, and maintains rotational support. This multi-functionality achieves complex air flow distribution and sealing without requiring separate components, balancing manufacturing simplicity with performance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the thrust disk, shaft, sealing ribs, and cooling passages into a single integrated thrust bearing shaft assembly. This merging of functions into one component simplifies manufacturing and assembly while maintaining effective air flow distribution and sealing through the integrated design
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 solution enhances air flow management and sealing, stabilizing the rotor operation and improving the overall efficiency of the air cycle machine by controlling air volumes and reducing friction, thus ensuring reliable performance.
Implementation Method 1
A ratio of a distance from an end of the second portion remote from the thrust disk to a center of the holes compared to a distance from the end of the second portion to the second face of the thrust disk is between 0.20 and 0.22
Implementation Method 2
The second portion has sealing ribs and six holes extending through a body of the thrust bearing shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A thrust bearing shaft has a radially enlarged thrust disk to be mounted between two static housing surfaces in an air cycle machine. A first portion of the thrust bearing shaft extends from a first face of the thrust disk. A second portion extends from a second opposed face of the thrust disk. The second portion has sealing ribs and six holes. The sealing ribs are spaced closer to the thrust disk than are the holes. A ratio of a distance from an end of the second portion to a center of the holes compared to a distance from the end of the second portion to the second face of the thrust disk is between 0.20 and 0.22. In addition, an air cycle machine incorporating the thrust bearing shaft, and a method of assembling the thrust bearing shaft into an air cycle machine are disclosed.