Tilting Pad Bearing Magnetic Preload for Variable Pad Bias
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tilting pad bearings face challenges in effectively varying preload and extending service life to produce convergent bearing gaps between tilting pads and a rotor body.
Innovation Solution
Combining a magnetic device with a spring device to create a tilting pad bearing that allows for adjustable preload, where the magnetic device is strategically positioned to leverage a weak magnetic force into sufficient preload, enabling various preload options for the tilting segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a magnetic device is used to preload tilting pads, then the preload can be applied, but the ability to vary preload is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a magnetic device with a spring device into a single preloading mechanism. The magnetic device provides a base preload force, while the spring device enables adjustable preload variation. This merging allows the system to achieve variable preload capability without requiring completely separate adjustment mechanisms, thus improving adaptability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring device acts as an intermediary between the magnetic device and the tilting pad. It translates small adjustments in spring compression into variable preload forces on the tilting pad, enabling precise control of preload while isolating the complexity of adjustment mechanisms from the magnetic device itself.
2Force
If a strong magnetic device is used to generate sufficient preload, then the preload requirement is met, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring device serves as a mechanical intermediary that amplifies the force from a relatively weak magnetic device. By compressing the spring, a small magnetic force can generate a larger preload force on the tilting pad, eliminating the need for a large, complex magnetic device while still meeting the preload force requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static magnetic device to a dynamic combination where the spring can be compressed to different degrees. This dynamic adjustment allows a weak magnetic device to generate variable preload forces, meeting different force requirements without increasing magnetic device size or complexity.
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 combination enhances the ability to vary preload effectively, improving the functionality and service life of tilting pad bearings by ensuring consistent convergent bearing gaps and efficient lubrication film formation.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetic device (40) comprises a permanent magnet (41), which, by means of a magnetic force (44), acts on the tilting segment (5)
Implementation Method 2
The spring device (42) comprises a spring (43)
Implementation Method 3
convergent bearing gaps being produced between the bearing and a rotor body
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a tilting pad bearing (1) comprising tilting pads (5,5'), which can tilt relative to a housing body (4) in order to produce convergent bearing gaps (14) between the tilting pads (5,5') and a rotor body (2), and which are preloaded by means of a preloading device (15). In order to improve a tilting pad bearing with regard to its function and/or service life, the preloading device (15) comprises a magnetic device (10).