Tilting Pad Bearing Coupling With Springless Preload Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing coupling mechanisms for tilting pad bearings, which use spring elements to apply preload, face issues with maintaining an optimal state due to changing elastic forces and moments generated during tilting, leading to resistance against pad tilting and potential mechanical damage.
Innovation Solution
A coupling mechanism that utilizes a second ball and socket portion to apply preload without a spring element, where the center of curvature of the sliding spherical surfaces between the first and second ball and socket portions coincide, allowing for a movable region that secures the preload application and enables tilting without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a spring element is used to apply preload to the ball portion and socket portion, then preload can be applied, but the elastic force changes with time and generates resistance moments during tilting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the spring element from the coupling mechanism. By eliminating the spring element that causes time-dependent elastic force changes and tilting resistance, the patent achieves consistent preload application through an alternative mechanical structure comprising a ball portion, socket portion, and retaining ring assembly that maintains stable contact force throughout operation.
2Force
If a spring element is used to apply preload, then preload can be applied, but it generates moments that resist pad tilting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the spring element that generates unwanted moments during tilting. The alternative mechanical assembly maintains preload through direct contact forces between the ball portion, socket portion, and retaining ring, eliminating the elastic recovery forces that create resistance to pad tilting motion.
3Device complexity
If the center of curvature of sliding spherical surfaces do not coincide, then the structure is simpler, but the movable region is insufficient and interferes with tilting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention positions the centers of curvature of the first and second sliding spherical surfaces to coincide at the same location. This geometric arrangement creates a common center of rotation that enables the pad to tilt freely without the spherical surfaces interfering with each other's motion, providing sufficient movable region while maintaining structural coherence.
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 ensures a consistent preload application and maintains the functionality of tilting pads, reducing mechanical damage and improving durability by eliminating the need for spring elements and their associated issues.
Implementation Method 1
a first ball portion and a first socket portion that slide against each other on a sliding spherical surface
Implementation Method 2
a second ball portion and a second socket portion that slide against each other on a sliding spherical surface
Data Source
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AI summary
Proposed is a novel coupling mechanism (10) capable of applying a preload to a ball portion and a socket portion which constitute a coupling mechanism (10) of a titling pad bearing (1), without using a spring element.