Turbine Guide Vane Rotating Ring Friction Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable guide vane mechanisms for turbines suffer from high friction losses and reduced operational reliability, which affects the efficiency and reliability of exhaust gas turbochargers.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a rotating ring with axially spaced radial inner and outer sections, reducing friction surfaces and contact areas, and utilizing antifriction bearings to minimize friction and prevent lubricant leakage, while also allowing for precise radial gap adjustment and cost-effective manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the rotating ring has a conventional design with both sections used for support, then structural stability is maintained, but friction losses increase due to larger contact surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating ring is divided into two functionally distinct sections: a first section (inner radius) dedicated to rotatable support with minimized contact surfaces, and a second section (outer radius) dedicated to accommodating actuating levers. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall friction losses while maintaining structural stability through the Z-girder profile-type configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a radial gap between the rotating ring and carrier ring, creating an additional dimensional parameter for control. This gap, combined with the radially inclined center section, provides precise radial support while minimizing contact surfaces, thereby reducing friction losses without compromising operational reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the rotating ring thickness is reduced to minimize material, then manufacturing cost decreases, but radial gap adjustment precision and structural stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The radially inclined center section joining the spaced radial inner and outer sections creates a dynamic structural configuration that provides both stability and elasticity. This inclined geometry allows the thin rotating ring to maintain precise radial gap adjustment capability while using minimal material, thereby reducing manufacturing cost without sacrificing precision.
3Reliability
If conventional bearing arrangements are used with additional components, then radial bearing clearance is ensured, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bearing function directly into the rotating ring structure itself. The first section of the rotating ring is designed to be radially supported by the bearing ring, eliminating the need for separate bearing components. This integration maintains reliable radial bearing clearance while significantly reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the rotating ring contacts the carrier ring over large surfaces, then structural stability is improved, but friction losses and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating ring is segmented into a first section for support and a second section for actuating levers, with the support section further divided into radially spaced inner and outer portions. This segmentation concentrates contact surfaces to minimal necessary areas, reducing friction losses while maintaining structural stability through the Z-girder profile configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the rotating ring are given different functional qualities: the first section has minimal contact surfaces optimized for low-friction rotation, while the second section has recesses optimized for lever accommodation. This local differentiation of qualities allows the structure to achieve both low friction losses and structural stability.
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 design significantly reduces friction losses, enhances operational reliability, and improves the efficiency of the turbine and exhaust gas turbocharger, minimizing failures and emissions by optimizing the interaction between the turbocharger and combustion engine.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing antifriction bearings to minimize friction and prevent lubricant leakage
Implementation Method 2
the rotatable ring comprises axially spaced radial inner and outer sections with a radially inclined center section joining the spaced radial inner and outer sections
Data Source
AI summary
In an adjustable guide vane mechanism for a turbine, comprising a bearing ring with a plurality of guide vanes rotatably supported on the bearing ring by means of guide vane shafts provided with actuating levers which are engaged by a rotatable ring, the rotatable ring comprises axially spaced radial inner and outer sections with a radially inclined center section joining the spaced radial inner and outer sections, the radially inner section being rotatably supported and the radially outer section extending around the actuating levers and having recesses in which the actuating levers are received for pivoting the actuating levers and the guide vanes upon rotation of the rotatable ring.