Reverse vortex ring (RVR) for dramatic improvements in rocket engine turbomachinery rotordynamic stability margins

Abstract

A flat reverse vortex ring is sized and shaped to either attach to or be formed as part of a distal end of a sleeve bearing or seal. The ring has a series of evenly spaced radial channels that extend from an inner diameter to an outer diameter of the ring. The channels have a depth. The ring has an upper surface with an alternating series of planar surfaces and openings located at an upper end of the channels. The ring may have an interior diameter equal to an interior diameter of the sleeve bearing or seal. The ring may have an exterior diameter equal to an exterior diameter the sleeve bearing or seal. The channels may be semi-cylindrical. The channels have a diameter and the depth is a predetermined portion of the diameter. The channels may be rectangular in cross-section with a height-to-width ratio of between 0.5 and 1.5.

Claims

1. A reverse vortex ring comprising: a flat ring, said ring being sized and shaped to either attach to, disposed in front of or formed as part of a distal end of a sleeve bearing or seal; said ring having a series of evenly spaced radial channels, said channels extending from an inner diameter of said ring to an outer diameter of said ring, said channels having a depth; and said ring having an upper surface, said upper surface comprising a series of planar surfaces alternating with a series of openings, said openings disposed at an upper end of said channels.

2. The reverse vortex ring, as described in claim 1, wherein said inner diameter is equal to an interior diameter of said sleeve bearing or seal.

3. The reverse vortex ring, as described in claim 1, wherein said outer diameter is equal to an exterior diameter said sleeve bearing or seal.

4. The reverse vortex ring, as described in claim 1, wherein said radial channels are semi-cylindrical.

5. The reverse vortex ring, as described in claim 4, wherein said radial channels have a diameter and said depth is a predetermined portion of said diameter.

6. The reverse vortex ring, as described in claim 5, wherein said predetermined portion is less than 85% of said diameter.

7. The reverse vortex ring, as described in claim 1, wherein said radial channels are rectangular in cross-section.

8. The reverse vortex ring, as described in claim 7, wherein a height-to-width ratio of said channels is greater than 0.5 and less than 1.5.

9. The reverse vortex ring, as described in claim 7, wherein said radial channels taper from said outer diameter to said inner diameter of said ring.

10. The reverse vortex ring, as described in claim 7, wherein said planar surfaces taper from said outer diameter to said inner diameter of said ring.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrating a Reverse Vortex Ring (RVR) and associated sleeve bearing or seal with roughened interior surface;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment mounted to a sleeve bearing or seal with roughened interior surface;

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment mounted to a sleeve bearing with smooth interior surface;

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment mounted to a sleeve bearing and installed in an Annular Seal Test device;

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the RVR of the FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating the fluid flow above the RVR and within the chambers of the ring;

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the RVR having rectangular channels in which the channels of the ring taper from the outer diameter to the inner diameter of the ring;

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an another alternative embodiment of the RVR having rectangular channels in which the planar surfaces of the ring taper from the outer diameter to the inner diameter of the ring;

(8) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a single channel of the FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating the analytical flow velocities of fluid passing over the channel and moving within the channel; and

(9) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a single channel of the FIG. 7 embodiment illustrating the analytical flow velocities of fluid passing over the channel and moving within the channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(10) (1) FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a reverse vortex ring 10 satisfying all of the above objectives that includes the following limitations. A flat ring 14 is provided. The ring 14 is sized and shaped to either attach to, located in front of or formed as part of a distal end 18 of a sleeve bearing or seal 22. The ring 14 has a series of evenly spaced radial channels 26. The channels 26 have a depth 28. The channels 26 extend from an inner diameter 30 of the ring 14 to an outer diameter 34 of the ring 14. The ring 14 has an upper surface 38. The upper surface 38 includes a series of planar surfaces 42 alternating with a series of openings 46. The openings 46 are located at an upper end 50 of the channels 26.

(11) (2) In a variant of the invention, the inner diameter 30 is equal to an interior diameter 54 of the sleeve bearing or seal 22.

(12) (3) In another variant, the outer diameter 34 is equal to an exterior diameter 58 of the sleeve bearing or seal 22.

(13) (4) In still another variant, the radial channels 26 are semi-cylindrical 62.

(14) (5) In yet another variant, the radial channels 26 have a diameter 32 and the depth 28 is a predetermined portion 66 of the diameter 32.

(15) (6) In a further variant, the predetermined portion 66 is less than 85% of the diameter.

(16) (7) In still a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, the radial channels 26 are rectangular 74 in cross-section.

(17) (8) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-9, a height-to-width ratio of the channels 26 is greater than 0.5 and less than 1.5.

(18) (9) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the radial channels 26 taper from the outer diameter 34 to the inner diameter 30 of the ring 14.

(19) (10) In a final variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the planar surfaces 42 taper from the outer diameter 34 to the inner diameter 30 of the ring 14.

(20) The reverse vortex ring 10 has been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.