Polymer-Lined Thrust Pad Oil Feed for Lower Bearing Losses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thrust bearing assemblies with polymer liners face challenges in oil lubrication efficiency and bond integrity, leading to higher part counts and costs with spray bar designs, and reduced efficiency with flooded designs.
Innovation Solution
A thrust pad assembly with a polymer liner and an oil feed configuration featuring oil output ports and a groove, allowing oil to flow through the polymer liner, reducing the need for bonding and minimizing part count while enhancing lubrication efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a spray bar design is used for oil feed, then lubrication efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to more parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the oil feed function directly into the thrust pad assembly by integrating oil output ports and feed grooves into the pad structure itself, eliminating the need for separate spray bar components while maintaining effective oil delivery to the bearing surface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the oil feed function from the separate spray bar component and integrates it directly into the thrust pad assembly, removing unnecessary parts while preserving the lubrication efficiency function
2Ease of manufacture
If a flooded oil feed design is used, then cost is reduced, but lubrication efficiency decreases leading to higher power losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing targeted oil delivery through specific output ports and feed grooves at critical locations on the thrust pad, rather than using a general flooded approach, achieving efficient lubrication where needed most while maintaining cost-effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic principles to deliver oil through controlled ports and grooves, utilizing fluid pressure to direct lubrication efficiently to the bearing surface, achieving better performance than flooded design at lower cost
3Speed
If radial grooves are used on polymer liner, then oil flow directionality is improved, but bond integrity concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the oil feed system into distinct components: output ports in the thrust pad and separate feed grooves in the polymer liner, allowing directional oil flow to be achieved without compromising the bond integrity of the polymer liner itself
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 solution reduces power losses and costs compared to flooded designs, and complexity compared to spray bar designs, while maintaining efficient lubrication and increasing load-carrying capacity.
Implementation Method 1
The oil feed configuration may include one or more oil output ports extending through the thrust pad machining and an oil feed groove in the polymer liner
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a thrust pad assembly for a turbomachine. The thrust pad assembly may include a thrust pad machining with an insert flange, a polymer liner positioned within the insert flange, and an oil feed configuration. The oil feed configuration includes one or more oil output ports extending through the thrust pad machining and an oil feed groove in the polymer liner.