A method is provided for manufacturing. This method includes: providing a rotating structure rotatable about an axis, the rotating structure comprising a shaft; measuring a plurality of physical parameters of the shaft; computationally modeling the rotating structure using the physical parameters to determine a correction to balance rotation of the rotating structure about the axis; and physically altering the rotating structure according to the correction.

A method is provided for manufacturing. This method includes: providing a rotating structure rotatable about an axis, the rotating structure comprising a shaft; measuring a plurality of physical parameters of the shaft; computationally modeling the rotating structure using the physical parameters to determine a correction to balance rotation of the rotating structure about the axis; and physically altering the rotating structure according to the correction.

A crankshaft balancer machine for balancing a crankshafts having a measurement station configured to rotate the crankshaft to obtain vibration-related data, a transfer station configured to transfer the crankshaft between the measurement station and the correction station, and a correction station configured to drill at least a portion of the crankshaft to correct an imbalance in response to the imbalance data. The measurement station includes a base structure, a measurement bridge support, a plurality of flexural support legs extending therebetween, at least one sensor, and a drive system to spin the crankshaft and output imbalance data. The transfer station includes at least one lifting arm selectively engaging the crankshaft and supporting the crankshaft during transfer. The correction station includes a drilling device horizontally disposed to achieve a horizontal drill direction into the crankshaft to correct any imbalance according to a customized software protocol.

A crankshaft balancer machine for balancing a crankshafts having a measurement station configured to rotate the crankshaft to obtain vibration-related data, a transfer station configured to transfer the crankshaft between the measurement station and the correction station, and a correction station configured to drill at least a portion of the crankshaft to correct an imbalance in response to the imbalance data. The measurement station includes a base structure, a measurement bridge support, a plurality of flexural support legs extending therebetween, at least one sensor, and a drive system to spin the crankshaft and output imbalance data. The transfer station includes at least one lifting arm selectively engaging the crankshaft and supporting the crankshaft during transfer. The correction station includes a drilling device horizontally disposed to achieve a horizontal drill direction into the crankshaft to correct any imbalance according to a customized software protocol.

A system for converting an input oscillation having an input frequency into an output oscillation having an output frequency is disclosed. The system comprises: a controller configured for receiving the input oscillation and responsively generating a multi-component drive signal. A frequency of at least one component of the drive signal is other than two times the input frequency. In some embodiments, a frequency of another component of the drive signal equals about two times the output frequency. The system also comprises an oscillator for generating pump oscillations responsively to the drive signal and applying parametric excitation to the input oscillation at the pump oscillations.

An apparatus for balancing a fan or other spinning product may comprise a motor for spinning the fan, an accelerometer for gathering sampling data from the fan while it is spinning, a laser source, a laser redirection platform comprising a spinning mirror configured to track the rotational speed of the spinning fan, and a control module. The fan and laser redirection platform may each have an index hole for tracking, using respective photocell transmitters and receivers, rotational speed and phase. The control module may direct the fan motor to spin up the fan, collect balance data, and determine a location on the fan for burning a hole to correct imbalance. The control module may direct the laser redirection platform to spin at the same rpm as the fan, and such that a laser redirection mirror directs a laser beam from the laser source toward the target burn location on the fan. The control module then directs the laser source to emit a laser beam toward the redirection mirror, which directs the laser beam toward the target burn hole location on the fan, where a hole is burned. This process may be repeated iteratively.

An apparatus for balancing a fan or other spinning product may comprise a motor for spinning the fan, an accelerometer for gathering sampling data from the fan while it is spinning, a laser source, a laser redirection platform comprising a spinning mirror configured to track the rotational speed of the spinning fan, and a control module. The fan and laser redirection platform may each have an index hole for tracking, using respective photocell transmitters and receivers, rotational speed and phase. The control module may direct the fan motor to spin up the fan, collect balance data, and determine a location on the fan for burning a hole to correct imbalance. The control module may direct the laser redirection platform to spin at the same rpm as the fan, and such that a laser redirection mirror directs a laser beam from the laser source toward the target burn location on the fan. The control module then directs the laser source to emit a laser beam toward the redirection mirror, which directs the laser beam toward the target burn hole location on the fan, where a hole is burned. This process may be repeated iteratively.

A rotor is statically or dynamically balanced by driving the rotor to rotate at a desired speed, measuring an imbalance in the rotor, calculating an adjustment to be made in a mass distribution of the rotor based on the measured imbalance, and adjusting the mass distribution to reduce the imbalance. Mass adjustment is done by operating a laser to ablate material from the rotor according to operating parameters based on the adjustment calculated. The foregoing is done while the rotor is rotating.

A rotor is statically or dynamically balanced by driving the rotor to rotate at a desired speed, measuring an imbalance in the rotor, calculating an adjustment to be made in a mass distribution of the rotor based on the measured imbalance, and adjusting the mass distribution to reduce the imbalance. Mass adjustment is done by operating a laser to ablate material from the rotor according to operating parameters based on the adjustment calculated. The foregoing is done while the rotor is rotating.

A method for balancing rotating machinery, such as gas turbine engines, to minimize vibrations. The method involves operation of the engine for a period of time at varying power levels and ranges of other operational parameters representative of the system operating envelope to obtain vibration data (amplitude and phase) for the full range of dynamic responses of interest. This usually includes time at elevated power settings until the engine reaches thermal stability, altitude variation, etc. as well as the full engine operating range. The full set of vibration data measured during the engine run is analyzed to generate unique unbalance states. The unique unbalance states are then analyzed and the mean unbalance state is identified. Balancing masses can then be installed or removed in accordance with a balance solution that is equal and opposite to the mean unbalance state.