Thrust Plate Cooling Slots for Air Cycle Machine Bearings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air cycle machines face challenges in effectively cooling thrust bearings, which affects the performance and reliability due to limited airflow to the bearings.
Innovation Solution
A thrust plate with an annular-shaped body and scalloped outer edge, featuring a plurality of cooling slots formed between adjacent scallops, is designed to enhance airflow and cooling efficiency by aligning with a cooling ring, utilizing a specific pattern of leader axes to optimize slot placement and airflow channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional vents are used in the containment ring for cooling thrust bearings, then the structure is simple, but the airflow to thrust bearings is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The thrust plate is segmented with multiple cooling slots distributed across its surface, each slot directing airflow to specific areas of the thrust bearing. This segmentation allows for optimized airflow distribution to multiple bearing zones simultaneously, increasing total airflow quantity without requiring a completely complex cooling system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The thrust plate serves as an intermediary component between the air cycle machine housing and the thrust bearing. By incorporating cooling slots in the thrust plate, it acts as a mediator that channels and directs cooled air from the housing to the thrust bearing, improving airflow delivery without requiring direct modification of the bearing or housing structures
2Reliability
If more cooling slots are added to the thrust plate, then cooling efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling slots are designed with specific geometric parameters including predetermined angles relative to radial and tangential directions, and specific spacing patterns. By optimizing these parameters, the design achieves effective cooling with a manageable number of slots, balancing cooling efficiency with manufacturing feasibility. The standardized slot geometry and angular relationships simplify the manufacturing process compared to arbitrary slot configurations
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 thrust plate significantly increases airflow to thrust bearings, improving the cooling efficiency and maintaining the axial position of rotating assemblies, thereby enhancing the performance and reliability of air cycle machines.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of cooling slots formed between each pair of adjacent scallops... significantly increases airflow to thrust bearings, improving the cooling efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A thrust plate includes an annular-shaped body having a scalloped outer edge that forms a first circumference defined by a first diameter. The thrust plate further includes a plurality of cooling slots formed in a first surface of the body. The cooling slots are formed between each pair of adjacent scallops. A center of each cooling slot extends towards the center of the thrust plate at a common predetermined angle with respect to one another.