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At least 73 records · Page 4

Optimal speed sharing characteristics of a series-hybrid bearing

A series-hybrid bearing assembly consisting of a conical hydrostatic fluid-film bearing and a ball bearing is described. Computer studies are used to predict friction torque and life characteristics of a 150-millimeter ball bearing. A conical hydrostatic fluid-film bearing is designed for minimum friction and maximum speed reduction of the ball-bearing component of the series-hydrid bearing. At a thrust load of 4000 pounds and speeds corresponding to DN (bearing bore in millimeters times shaft speed in rpm) values of 3 and 4 million, ball-bearing speed may be reduced by 30 percent. This speed reduction corresponds to ball-bearing fatigue life improvement factors of 3.4 at 3 million DN and 5.9 at 4 million DN. An oil flow rate of 18.2 pounds per minute is required to maintain a fluid-film thickness of 0.001 inch in the hydrostatic bearing.

Nypan, L. J.↗

Optimal speed sharing characteristics of a series-hybrid bearing.

A series-hybrid bearing assembly consisting of a conical hydrostatic fluid-film bearing and a ball bearing is described. Computer studies are used to predict friction torque and life characteristics of a 150-mm ball bearing. A conical hydrostatic fluid-film bearing is designed for minimum friction and maximum speed reduction of the ball-bearing component of the series-hybrid bearing. At a thrust load of 4000 lb and speeds corresponding to DN (bearing bore in millimeters times shaft speed in rpm) values of 3 and 4 million, ball-bearing speed may be reduced to 30%. This speed reduction corresponds to ball-bearing fatigue life improvement factors of 3.4 at 3 million DN and 5.9 at 4 million DN. An oil flow rate at 18.2 lb/min is required to maintain a fluid-film thickness of 0.001 in. in the hydrostatic bearing.

Nypan, L. J.↗

Development of spiral-groove self-acting face seals

An experimental evaluation and a 100-hour endurance test were performed on a spiral groove geometry, self-acting face seal. The seal was tested and operated successfully at maximum conditions of 243.8 m/s surface speed, 199.9 N/sq cm air pressure, and 645.4K (702 F) air temperature. The maximum speed condition of 243.8 m/s was obtained at a shaft speed of 72,500 rpm. Seal wear, gas leakage, and sealing element temperature were monitored during the test. Condition of the seal at the completion of the test was documented and found acceptable for further use. The spiral groove wear rate measured during the endurance test indicates a minimum potential seal life of over 2700 hours. Seal air leakage measured during the test program is within the range considered acceptable for consideration for use in a small gas turbine engine.

Obrien, M.↗

Measured effect of step axial location on labyrinth seal leakage

An advanced, finite volume code has been extensively used in a parametric design study of simple stepped seals, in order to ascertain a leakage-minimizing optimal design and test it, in conjunction with the baseline case of the wear-ring seal of a high pressure pump. It is found that a significant leakage effect arises from this shifting of the rotor and stator sealing surfaces; at extremely low rpm, a significant shaft speed effect occurs for the optimized design in some shaft locations.

Morrison, G. L.↗

Design and evaluation of a 3 million DN series-hybrid thrust bearing

The bearing, consisting of a 150-mm ball bearing and a centrifugally actuated, conical, fluid-film bearing, was fatigue tested. Test conditions were representative of a mainshaft ball bearing in a gas turbine engine operating at maximum thrust load to simulate aircraft takeoff conditions. Tests were conducted up to 16000 rpm and at this speed an axial load of 15568 newtons (3500 lb) was safely supported by the hybrid bearing system. Through the series-hybrid bearing principle, the effective ball bearing speed was reduced to approximately one-half of the shaft speed. It was concluded that a speed reduction of this magnitude results in a ten-fold increase in the ball bearing fatigue life. A successful evaluation of fluid-film bearing lubricant supply failure was performed repeatedly at an operating speed of 10,000 rpm. A complete and smooth changeover to full-scale ball bearing operation was effected when the oil supply to the fluid-film bearing was cut off. Reactivation of the fluid-film oil supply system resulted in a flawless return to the original mode of hybrid operation.

Scibbe, H. W.↗

Design and evaluation of a 3 million DN series-hybrid thrust bearing

The design and experimental evaluation of a series-hybrid thrust bearing, consisting of a 150-mm ball bearing and a centrifugally actuated, conical, fluid-film bearing, is presented. Tests were conducted up to 16,000 rpm and at this speed an axial load of 15,600 N (3500 lb) was safely supported by the hybrid bearing system. Through the series-hybrid bearing principle, the effective ball bearing speed was reduced to approximately one-half of the shaft speed. A speed reduction of this magnitude would result in a tenfold increase in the ball bearing fatigue life. A successful evaluation of fluid-film bearing lubricant supply failure was performed repeatedly at an operating speed of 10,000 rpm. A complete and smooth changeover to full-scale ball bearing operation was effected when the oil supply to the fluid-film bearing was cut off. Reactivation of the fluid-film oil supply system produced a flawless return to the original mode of hybrid operation.

Scibbe, H. W.↗

Feasibility study for convertible engine torque converter

The feasibility study has shown that a dump/fill type torque converter has excellent potential for the convertible fan/shaft engine. The torque converter space requirement permits internal housing within the normal flow path of a turbofan engine at acceptable engine weight. The unit permits operating the engine in the turboshaft mode by decoupling the fan. To convert to turbofan mode, the torque converter overdrive capability bring the fan speed up to the power turbine speed to permit engagement of a mechanical lockup device when the shaft speed are synchronized. The conversion to turbofan mode can be made without drop of power turbine speed in less than 10 sec. Total thrust delivered to the aircraft by the proprotor, fan, and engine during tansient can be controlled to prevent loss of air speed or altitude. Heat rejection to the oil is low, and additional oil cooling capacity is not required. The turbofan engine aerodynamic design is basically uncompromised by convertibility and allows proper fan design for quiet and efficient cruise operation. Although the results of the feasibility study are exceedingly encouraging, it must be noted that they are based on extrapolation of limited existing data on torque converters. A component test program with three trial torque converter designs and concurrent computer modeling for fluid flow, stress, and dynamics, updated with test results from each unit, is recommended.

Source record↗

Endurance tests with large-bore tapered-roller bearings to 2.2 million DN

Endurance life tests were run with standard design and optimized high-speed design 120.65-mm-(4.750-in.-) bore tapered-roller bearings at shaft speeds of 12,500 and 18,500 rpm, respectively. Standard design bearings of vacuum melted AISI 4320 and CBS-1000M, and high-speed design bearings of CBS-1000M and through-hardened AISI M-50 were run under heavy combined radial and thrust load until fatigue failure or until a preset cutoff time of 1100 hours was reached. Standard design bearings made from CBS 1000M material ran to a 10 percent life approximately six times rated catalog life. Twelve identical bearings of AISI 4320 material ran to ten times rated catalog life without failure. Cracking and fracture of the cones of AISI M-50 high-speed design bearings occurred at 18,500 rpm due to high tensile hoop stresses. Four CBS 1000M high-speed design bearings ran to twenty-four times rated catalog life without any spalling, cracking or fracture failures.

Parker, R. J.↗

Solution of the subsynchronous whirl problem in the high-pressure hydrogen turbomachinery of the Space Shuttle Main Engine

Subsynchronous whirl of the high-pressure fuel turbopump limited operation of the Space Shuttle Main Engine for some months in early 1976. The means by which this problem was successfully attacked is of particular interest to the rotor-dynamics community, not only because this machinery was the highest power-to-weight ratio known (77,000 hp...760 pounds), but because of the multiple forcing functions involved and the means, both analytical and experimental, which were utilized in separating variables, pointing toward successful solutions, and evaluating results. The general means of identifying fundamental characteristics, analyzing data, and conducting computer investigations are delineated. The results of analysis and testing are discussed. Since whirl inception occurs at a shaft speed greater than twice the first system critical, this was increased by stiffening the shaft and bearing supports; the system damping and system stiffness was additionally increased by proper interstage seal design to the extent that the instability threshold is now beyond the operating range.

Ek, M. C.↗

Synchronous Control Effort Minimized for Magnetic-Bearing-Supported Shaft

Various disturbances that are synchronous with the shaft speed can complicate radial magnetic bearing control. These include position sensor target irregularities (runout) and shaft imbalance. The method presented here allows the controller to ignore all synchronous harmonics of the shaft position input (within the closed-loop bandwidth) and to respond only to asynchronous motions. The result is reduced control effort.

Brown, Gerald V.↗

Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology Project: Variable-Speed Power Turbine Technology Demonstration

Demonstrate 50% improvement in efficient operational capability using a Variable-Speed Power Turbine concept. To enable this improvement, thermodynamics mechanical challenges from operating across variable shaft speeds must be accommodated. Also, aerodynamics research for the engine high-efficiency turbine component design must be conducted over a wide range of incidence angle variation.

Susan A Gorton↗

Data-Driven Scalable Emulation of Hydropower Using Real-Time Hardware-in-the-Loop

This presentation covers Motivation: (1) With the increased grid integration of inverter-based resources, hydropower plays a crucial role in maintaining the bulk power system reliability and resilience; and (2) A more dynamic response and new control designs are required to meet the grid requirements. To evaluate any modification, control-prototyping, performance validation and de-risking grid integration of hydropower, a high-fidelity environment is required. Also covers Objectives: (1) To develop data-driven emulation of hydropower using hardware-in-the-loop for different size, types of hydro plants; and (2) To characterize hardware and obtain accurate dynamic response for shaft speed, torque, and power. Provide a mechanical power interface with emulated dynamics of a hydro-turbine shaft that can be coupled to electrical generators for mechanical and electrical PHIL.

electrical↗

Design of aircraft turbine fan drive gear transmission system

The following basic types of gear reduction concepts were studied as being feasible power train systems for a low-bypass-ratio, single-spool, geared turbofan engine for general aircraft use: (1) single-stage external-internal reduction, (2) gears (offset shafting), (3) multiple compound idler gear system (concentric shafting), and (4) star gear planetary system with internal ring gear final output member (concentric shafting-counterrotation). In addition, studies were made of taking the accessories drive power off both the high-speed and low-speed shafting, using either face gears or spiral bevel gears. Both antifriction and sleeve-type bearings were considered for the external-internal and star-planet reduction concepts.

Dent, E.↗

Simulation of VSPT Experimental Cascade Under High and Low Free-Stream Turbulence Conditions

Variable-Speed Power Turbines (VSPT) for rotorcraft applications operate at low Reynolds number and over a wide range in incidence associated with shaft speed change. A comprehensive linear cascade data set obtained includes the effects of Reynolds number, free-stream turbulence and incidence is available and this paper concerns itself with the presentation and numerical simulation of conditions resulting in a selected set of those data. As such, post-dictions of blade pressure loading, total-pressure loss and exit flow angles under conditions of high and low turbulence intensity for a single Reynolds number are presented. Analyses are performed with the three-equation turbulence models of Walters-Leylek and Walters and Cokljat. Transition, loading, total-pressure loss and exit angle variations are presented and comparisons are made with experimental data as available. It is concluded that at the low freestream turbulence conditions the Walters-Cokljat model is better suited to predictions while for high freestream conditions the two models generate similar predications that are generally satisfactory.

low pressure trubine↗

Simulation of VSPT Experimental Cascade Under High and Low Free-Stream Turbulence Conditions

Variable-Speed Power Turbines (VSPT) for rotorcraft applications operate at low Reynolds number and over a wide range in incidence associated with shaft speed change. A comprehensive linear cascade data set obtained includes the effects of Reynolds number, free-stream turbulence and incidence is available and this paper concerns itself with the presentation and numerical simulation of conditions resulting in a selected set of those data. As such, post-dictions of blade pressure loading, total-pressure loss and exit flow angles under conditions of high and low turbulence intensity for a single Reynolds number are presented. Analyses are performed with the three-equation turbulence models of Walters- Leylek and Walters and Cokljat. Transition, loading, total-pressure loss and exit angle variations are presented and comparisons are made with experimental data as available. It is concluded that at the low freestream turbulence conditions the Walters-Cokljat model is better suited to predictions while for high freestream conditions the two models generate similar predications that are generally satisfactory.

turbulence modeling↗

FORTRAN 4 computer program for calculating critical speeds of rotating shafts

A FORTRAN 4 computer program, written for the IBM DCS 7094/7044 computer, that calculates the critical speeds of rotating shafts is described. The shaft may include bearings, couplings, extra masses (nonshaft mass), and disks for the gyroscopic effect. Shear deflection is also taken into account, and provision is made in the program for sections of the shaft that are tapered. The boundary conditions at the ends of the shaft can be fixed (deflection and slope equal to zero) or free (shear and moment equal to zero). The fixed end condition enables the program to calculate the natural frequencies of cantilever beams. Instead of using the lumped-parameter method, the program uses continuous integration of the differential equations of beam flexure across different shaft sections. The advantages of this method over the usual lumped-parameter method are less data preparation and better approximation of the distribution of the mass of the shaft. A main feature of the program is the nature of the output. The Calcomp plotter is used to produce a drawing of the shaft with superimposed deflection curves at the critical speeds, together with all pertinent information related to the shaft.

Trivisonno, R. J.↗

Status Update for the Bearing Test Article Design Development – FY2025

Argonne National Laboratory’s (ANL) Mechanism Engineering Test Loop (METL) team has completed the design of a new Bearing Test Article (BTA) to test mechanical bearings for sodium fast reactor (SFR) mechanism applications. Recognition of the need for further bearing testing arose due to failure of rolling element bearings during testing of components for in-vessel fuel handling machines (FHMs) conducted at ANL in the METL facility. While the initial concept of the BTA arose from a need for bearing testing for FHM applications, the BTA design is configurable to test bearings of various sizes, types, and materials submerged in liquid sodium. Requirements for loading, shaft speed, temperature, and bearing size range were chosen based on requirements for SFR fuel handling. Modular components in the test bearing housings and shaft sleeves allow the design to accommodate a wide range of bearing sizes without modification to the larger assembly. Loading will be applied with screw jacks on the air side of the test article that will be adjusted to apply radial, thrust, or combined loading conditions. Applied force will be measured by load cells in-line with the loading mechanisms. In FY25 we have completed the design of the test article that will be fabricated and undergo testing at the METL facility. Drawing packages for the fabrication of the test article have been drafted and are being reviewed to add part tolerances and we have started ordering off-the-shelf components. The report will summarize the development of the Bearing Test Article design starting with an overview of the entire test article, then a more detailed examination of the bearing test section, loading mechanisms, test article ports and seals, and support structures, including analysis that went into significant design choices.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Intrinsic Hardware Evolution for the Design and Reconfiguration of Analog Speed Controllers for a DC Motor

Evolvable hardware provides the capability to evolve analog circuits to produce amplifier and filter functions. Conventional analog controller designs employ these same functions. Analog controllers for the control of the shaft speed of a DC motor are evolved on an evolvable hardware platform utilizing a second generation Field Programmable Transistor Array (FPTA2). The performance of an evolved controller is compared to that of a conventional proportional-integral (PI) controller. It is shown that hardware evolution is able to create a compact design that provides good performance, while using considerably less functional electronic components than the conventional design. Additionally, the use of hardware evolution to provide fault tolerance by reconfiguring the design is explored. Experimental results are presented showing that significant recovery of capability can be made in the face of damaging induced faults.

Gwaltney, David A.↗