Turbine Rotor Automatic Self Balancing via Displaceable Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbo-machinery shafts often become imbalanced during operation due to maintenance, wear, and thermal expansion, leading to increased vibration levels that can necessitate unscheduled shutdowns and repetitive manual balancing procedures.
Innovation Solution
An online real-time turbo-machinery rotor balancing system that includes a selectively displaceable balancing weight coupled to a motor, which is controlled by a system monitoring rotor vibration in real-time to adjust the weight's position along a displacement path in the balance plane, thereby counteracting the imbalance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual balancing procedures are performed during maintenance outages, then rotor balance is restored, but production downtime increases and balancing quality may degrade over time due to repetitive servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static balancing weight configuration into a dynamic system where weights can be automatically adjusted during operation. The motor-driven mechanism allows the balancing weights to move and reposition themselves in real-time based on vibration feedback, eliminating the need for repeated manual interventions during maintenance outages.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor balancing system performs self-service through automatic detection and correction of imbalance conditions. The vibration sensors monitor rotor vibration continuously, and the control system automatically activates motors to reposition balancing weights, enabling the rotor to self-correct without external human intervention or production shutdowns.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If repetitive manual balance moves are performed, then rotor vibration is reduced, but manufacturing complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical balancing operations with an automated electromechanical system. Motors driven by controller signals automatically reposition balancing weights based on vibration sensor feedback, substituting complex manual procedures with an automated control system that reduces both operational burden and procedural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback through vibration sensors that monitor rotor vibration levels. The controller processes this feedback information and automatically adjusts balancing weight positions to minimize vibration, creating a closed-loop control system that eliminates the need for repetitive manual trial-and-error balancing procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If balancing weights remain static after installation, then device complexity is minimized, but the system cannot adapt to changes in rotor balance conditions during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the balancing weights through motor-driven mechanisms. The weights can change their positions along radial paths during rotor operation, allowing the system to adapt to varying balance conditions caused by thermal expansion, wear, or assembly changes without increasing overall system complexity through intelligent design.
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 enables automatic balancing during operation, reducing the need for manual balancing procedures and maintaining optimal vibration performance, thus preventing unscheduled shutdowns and extending maintenance intervals.
Implementation Method 1
A motor is coupled to the balancing weight for selectively displacing the balancing weight along a displacement path in the balance plane
Implementation Method 2
A turbine engine rotor vibration monitoring system monitors rotor vibration in real-time
Data Source
AI summary
An online real time steam or gas turbine engine rotor balancing system is incorporated in a rotor balance plane. A selectively displaceable balancing weight is coupled to the rotor and is selectively displaced by a motor that is coupled to the balancing weight. The motor selectively displaces the balancing weight along a displacement path that is in the balance plane. A turbine engine rotor vibration monitoring system monitors rotor vibration in real-time. A control system is coupled to rotor vibration monitoring system and the motor, for determining in real time a desired balance weight displacement position to counteract the monitored rotor vibration. The controller selectively causes the motor to displace the balancing weight to the desired displacement position. The motor power source is an inductive power source or a permanent magnet generator.