Uniform Stiffness Centering Ring for Rotating Machinery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current resilient mount systems for high-speed rotating shafts face challenges such as variable stiffness, wear, fretting, complex machining, and high costs, particularly in maintaining precision balance and migrating critical speeds outside the operating range.
Innovation Solution
A centering ring with a uniform cross-section and raised ridges on both surfaces provides constant stiffness and increased surface area contact, allowing axial deflection and reducing wear, while circumferential spaces can contain damping substances to manage vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical springs with support bumpers are used to provide spring stiffness, then the mounting system can support rotating shafts, but the stiffness varies depending on the direction of load application making accurate analysis difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by distributing multiple support bumpers around the circumference of the spring ring at specific angular intervals. This creates localized contact points that collectively provide uniform radial stiffness in all directions, transforming the variable stiffness characteristic into constant stiffness while maintaining structural support functionality.
2Strength
If more bumpers are added to increase spring stiffness, then the mounting capability is improved, but machining complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring ring is segmented into multiple identical bumper units spaced around the circumference. Each bumper is a repeated geometric feature that can be manufactured using standard machining operations. This segmentation allows the achievement of high stiffness through multiple contact points while maintaining manufacturability through repetition of standard features.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple support bumpers are combined into a single integrated spring ring structure rather than separate components. This merging provides cumulative stiffness from multiple contact points while simplifying assembly and reducing the number of discrete parts that would require individual machining operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If a variable geometric cross section centering ring is used, then specific manufacturing requirements are met, but resonant frequencies and critical speeds become more difficult to predict
Solution Approach 1:
The spring ring is designed with a uniform circular cross-section throughout its length, creating a homogeneous geometric structure. This homogeneity simplifies the mathematical modeling of the component's stiffness characteristics, enabling accurate prediction of resonant frequencies and critical speeds while maintaining precise geometric control during manufacturing.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If elastomeric components with small contact areas are used, then vibration damping is achieved, but wear and fretting increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-contact elastomeric dampers to a distributed line-contact system using multiple bumpers around the circumference. This dimensional change from point to line contact increases the contact area, distributing wear and fretting effects across multiple locations while maintaining vibration damping capability through the elastomeric material properties.
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 solution achieves precise prediction of resonant frequencies and critical speeds, reduces wear and machining complexity, and maintains consistent stiffness, enhancing the durability and efficiency of high-speed rotating machinery.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient mount having a ring with a constant revolved cross section supported around the entire inside and outside diameters by a bearing and a housing, respectively. This design reduces component wear and functions by enabling axial deflection of the ring as opposed to circumferential deflection as taught by conventional designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A centering ring may be used to provide a resilient mounting system with uniform stiffness for rotating machinery. The centering ring may have first and second exterior raised ridges on one surface and a central raised ridge on the other surface. The centering ring may be disposed between the housing of the rotating machinery and a bearing provided therein. Due to its uniform cross-sectional geometry about its entire circumference, the centering ring may provide uniform stiffness in any radial direction. The centering ring may be useful in any rotating machinery, including generators, turbo machines and turbine engines.