INTEGRATED JOURNAL BEARING

Abstract

An integrated journal bearing (IJB) includes a shaft extending in an axial direction, a housing through which the shaft extends in the axial direction, the housing surrounding the shaft in a radial direction, an active magnetic bearing (AMB) arranged within the housing and surrounding the shaft in the radial direction, and at least a first fluid film journal bearing (JB) arranged within the housing and surrounding the shaft in the radial direction. The first JB is axially adjacent to the AMB such that first JB and the AMB do not share a common radial clearance, while both are commonly flooded with oil. A controller in signal communication with the AMB can be variously configured to supply current thereto to operate the AMB by controlling a magnetic force generated thereby.

Claims

1. An integrated journal bearing (IJB) comprising: a shaft extending in an axial direction; a housing through which the shaft extends in the axial direction, the housing surrounding the shaft in a radial direction; an electro-magnetic actuator (EMA) arranged within the housing and surrounding the shaft in the radial direction, the EMA including rotor laminations mounted to the shaft and outer laminations arranged in the housing, a radial EMA clearance being located between the rotor laminations and the outer laminations; at least a first fluid film journal bearing (JB) arranged within the housing and surrounding the shaft in the radial direction, the first JB including a first JB sleeve mounted to the shaft axially adjacent to the rotor laminations and a first JB lining arranged in the housing, a radial first JB clearance being located between the first JB sleeve and lining; and wherein oil conduits are defined through the housing configured to feed and drain oil through both the EMA and first JB clearances.

2. The IJB of claim 1, further comprising a second JB arranged within the housing and surrounding the shaft in the radial direction, the second JB including a second JB sleeve mounted to the shaft axially adjacent to an opposite side of the rotor laminations from the first JB sleeve and a second JB lining arranged in the housing, a radial second JB clearance being located between the second JB sleeve and lining; wherein the oil conduits are further configured to feed and drain oil through the second JB clearance.

3. The IJB of claim 2, further comprising first and second holding sleeves mounted to the rotor axially outward of the first and second JBs, respectively.

4. The IJB of claim 3, further comprising first and second seals mounted to the rotor, the first seal being located axially between the first JB and the first holding sleeve, the second seal being located axially between the second JB and the second holding sleeve, the first and second seals being configured to prevent oil from escaping between the shaft and the housing.

5. The IJB of claim 3, further comprising first and second fixing adapters surrounding the first and second holding sleeves, respectively, the first and second fixing adapters being locked in place by first and second fixing nuts, respectively.

6. The IJB of claim 1, wherein the shaft includes a shoulder extending outward in the radial direction, a side of the rotor laminations opposite the first JB sleeve being axially adjacent to the shoulder.

7. The IJB of claim 6, further comprising a clamp mounted to the shaft axially adjacent to a side of the first JB sleeve opposite the rotor laminations.

8. The IJB of claim 6, further comprising a holder sleeve mounted the shaft, the holder sleeve being located radially between the shaft and the first JB sleeve and axially adjacent to the same side of the rotor laminations as the first JB sleeve.

9. The IJB of claim 8, further comprising a locking nut connected to the holder sleeve axially adjacent to a side of the first JB sleeve opposite the rotor laminations.

10. The IJB of claim 1, further comprising a controller in signal communication with the EMA and configured to supply current thereto to operate the EMA by controlling a magnetic force generated thereby.

11. The IJB of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to operate the EMA to carry bearing load in addition to the JB under at least some shaft conditions, such that the EMA functions as an active magnetic bearing (AMB).

12. The IJB of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to receive feedback of external forces applied to the shaft during different states thereof and adjust the magnetic force in response thereto.

13. The IBJ of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to control the magnetic force generated by the AMB such that the load carrying of the first JB is not interfered with under most circumstances.

14. The IBJ of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to control the magnetic force generated by the AMB such that it provides variable and controllable stiffness and damping.

15. The IBJ of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to control the magnetic force generated by the AMB such that it compensates for instability from the JB.

16. The IBJ of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to control the magnetic force generated by the AMB such that it compensates for shaft imbalance.

17. The IBJ of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to control the magnetic force generated by the AMB such that it compensates for disturbances acting on the shaft.

18. The IBJ of claim 1, wherein the EMA is configured to provide passive damping.

19. An integrated journal bearing (IJB) comprising: a shaft extending in an axial direction; a housing through which the shaft extends in the axial direction, the housing surrounding the shaft in a radial direction; an active magnetic bearing (AMB) arranged within the housing and surrounding the shaft in the radial direction; at least a first fluid film journal bearing (JB) arranged within the housing and surrounding the shaft in the radial direction, the first JB being axially adjacent to the AMB such that first JB and the AMB do not share a common radial clearance; and a controller in signal communication with the AMB and configured to supply current thereto to operate the AMB by controlling a magnetic force generated thereby; wherein oil conduits are defined through the housing configured to feed and drain oil through both the AMB and first JB clearances.

20. The IJB of claim 19, wherein the AMB includes rotor laminations mounted to the shaft and outer laminations arranged in the housing, an AMB radial clearance being formed therebetween.

21. The IJB of claim 20, wherein the first JB includes a JB lining mounted to the shaft and a JB sleeve arranged in the housing, a first JB radial clearance being formed therebetween.

22. The IBJ of claim 19, further comprising a second JB arranged within the housing and surrounding the shaft in the radial direction, the AMB being located between the first and second JBs in the axial direction.

23. The IBJ of claim 19, wherein the shaft includes a shoulder extending outward in the radial direction, the AMB being located between the shoulder and the first JB in the axial direction.

24. The IBJ of claim 23, further comprising a holder sleeve extending radially between the first JB and the shaft and axially abutting the AMB.

25. A method of supporting a shaft for rotational motion, the method comprising: supporting radial loads with at least a first fluid film journal bearing (JB) arranged around the shaft; controlling an active magnetic bearing (AMB), located axially adjacent to the first JB on the shaft, to assist the JB bearing in carrying radial loads under at least some circumstances; and flooding the first JB and the AMB with oil in a common housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] In the accompanying drawings:

[0074] FIG. 1 is a cross-section elevation view of one embodiment of the invention depicting the integrated-journal bearing where the magnetic bearing surrounds a laminated rotor and maintains its own suitable clearance. Two journals (possibly with the same diameter as the laminated rotor) are assembled on each side of the AMB and maintain the rotor laminations in place.

[0075] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 showing the details of the components. This is the embodiment built and tested by the inventor.

[0076] FIG. 3 is a cross-section elevation view of another embodiment of the invention depicting the integrated-journal bearing where the magnetic bearing surrounds a laminated rotor and maintains its own suitable clearance and a journal is assembled adjacent to the AMB and maintains the rotor laminations in place.

[0077] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 showing the details of the components.

[0078] FIG. 5 is a cross-section elevation view of yet another embodiment of the invention depicting the integrated-journal bearing where the magnetic bearing surrounds a laminated rotor and maintains its own suitable clearance and a journal is assembled adjacent to the AMB and maintains the rotor laminations in place with an alternative fixation.

[0079] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 showing the details of the components.

[0080] FIG. 7 shows the basic control circuit used to control the active magnetic bearing with feedback from the rotor states and including journal bearing characteristics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0081] This invention is a smart high performance integrated bearing that combines a fluid film bearing (FFB) with an electro-magnetic actuator (EMA) in one integrated device. In all cases, the fluid film bearing shall carry the load, whereas the electro-magnetic actuator can be used as a pure controller or both as a controller and a load carrying element. In the latter case the electro-magnetic actuator can be considered as an active magnetic bearing (AMB).

[0082] The integration of AMBs and JBs in one device, the integrated journal bearing (IJB), has clear advantages. The IJB has all of the advantages of JBs and AMBs, and avoids all of the shortcomings of AMBs and JBs. The IJB is a superior load carrying element due to its larger load carrying capacity and its ability to introduce passive damping to the rotor system. Moreover, it is free from whip instabilities and has capabilities as a controller. An IJB can provide variable and controllable stiffness and damping and additionally can provide unbalance control and many other control features. Most importantly, there is no need for a backup bearing as the rotor is carried on the JB in all cases.

[0083] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a preferred embodiment of the IJB. In this embodiment the AMB rotor laminations 40 are mounted on the shaft, while the outer laminations 30 are held in place by the IJB lower housing 10 and upper housing 60. The clearance of the AMB is actually the clearance between the rotor laminations 40 and the outer laminations 30. Two journal bearing sleeves 80 are placed on the rotor on both sides of the rotor laminations 40. The journal bearing lining 70 is held in place surrounding the sleeve 80 by the journal bearing housing 20 held in place by the IJB lower housing 10 and upper housing 60. The journal bearing clearance is between the sleeve 80 and the lining 70. Oil is fed and drained through the conduits 120, and submerges both the journal bearing and the AMB cavities. Seals 50 prevent the oil from escaping the cavity. Two holding sleeves 90 are used to hold the bearing sleeves 80 in place on the shaft. A fixing adapter 100 is locked in place by a fixing nut 110 on each holding sleeve 90.

[0084] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show another embodiment of the IJB. In this embodiment the AMB rotor laminations 180 are mounted on the shaft, while the outer laminations 160 are held in place by the IJB lower housing 140 and upper housing 150. The clearance of the AMB is actually the clearance between the rotor laminations 180 and the outer laminations 160. One journal bearing sleeve 190 is placed on the rotor beside the rotor laminations 180. The journal bearing lining 130 is held in place surrounding the sleeve 190 by the IJB lower housing 140 and upper housing 150. The journal bearing clearance is between the sleeve 190 and the lining 130. Oil is fed and drained through the conduits 210, and submerges both the journal bearing and the AMB cavities. The clamp 200 is used to hold the bearing sleeve 190 in place on the shaft. It should be noted that this embodiment is suitable for shafts with shoulders as shown in FIG. 3, where the rotor laminations 180 are resting against the shaft shoulder and kept in place by the journal sleeve 190, which in turn is held in place by clamp 200.

[0085] The same embodiment is shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, but with a different fixing method for the rotor laminations and journal sleeve. In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 the AMB rotor laminations 230 are mounted on the shaft, while the outer laminations 270 are held in place by the IJB lower housing 300 and upper housing 290. The clearance of the AMB is actually the clearance between the rotor laminations 230 and the outer laminations 270. A holder sleeve 250 is used to hold the rotor laminations 270. The journal bearing sleeve 240 is inserted on the holder sleeve 250 and kept in place by locking nut 260. The journal bearing lining 280 is held in place surrounding the sleeve 240 by the IJB lower housing 300 and upper housing 290. The journal bearing clearance is between the sleeve 240 and the lining 280. Oil is fed and drained through the conduits 320, and submerges both the journal bearing and the AMB cavities. This embodiment is also suitable for shafts with shoulders as shown in FIG. 5, where the rotor laminations 230 are resting against the shaft shoulder and kept in place the holder sleeve 250 and locking nut 260.

[0086] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the IJB system. The rotor is subjected to external forces F.sub.ext, however the rotor states x and x′ affect the JB which in turn provide a bearing force F.sub.b that is added to the magnetic bearing force F.sub.m. The feedback states x and x′ are electronically directed to a programmable controller that provides a current through a power amplifier to the AMB thus producing the magnetic force F.sub.m.

[0087] The inventor has applied many control algorithms similar to the block diagram in FIG. 7. In reference 2, the inventor and his students discuss controlling oil whip using the IJB through multiple algorithms and show that damping control is an effective method for controlling the IJB, while in reference 3, instability control and unbalance control using the IJB are introduced. Reference 4 is an important contribution which shows that oil does not adversely affect the performance of AMBs. In fact it is shown that oil in an AMB actually provides some minor improvements in AMB performance. Reference 5 introduces the testing of a rotor on one IJB and one rolling element bearing using PID control, while reference 6 introduces fuzzy logic control to the IJB, and reference 7 introduces H∞ control to the IJB and discusses load sharing between the AMB and the JB. Reference 8 introduces testing of a rotor on two IJB bearings and the ability to transgress the oil whip instability for the first mode and the second mode by applying PD control. In fact reference 8 is a clear indication of the success of the IJB. It shows that the IJB can carry a high load rotor at high speeds and with ability to control multiple instabilities.

[0088] In all of the above experiments an off-the-shelf programmable controller is used. The control algorithms discussed in the previous paragraph were all implemented experimentally, and were quite successful. The choice of the control algorithm is a matter of choice for each application. In many cases, it is important to instruct the magnetic bearing not to interfere with the load carrying by the JB. In fact the H∞ controller introduced in reference 7 actually tends to carry some of the load on the AMB, while the PD controller tends to act as a controller only. The problem is that the AMB likes to center the rotor, while the JB tends to move the rotor center downwards and sideways. These two competing devices need a controller designed to carry the load on the JB and keep all the AMB power for control. Only in special circumstances (like relocating resonances) should the AMB be allowed to carry the load. The references mentioned above provide ample examples of the controller application. However, a person skilled in the art can judiciously select the appropriate control algorithm. It should be understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of one or more embodiments of this invention and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

REFERENCES

[0089] 1) El-Shafei, A., 2010, “Methods of Controlling the Instability in Fluid Film Bearings”, U.S. Pat. No. 7,836,601. [0090] 2) El-Shafei, A., and Dimitri, A. S., 2010, “Controlling Journal Bearing Instability Using Active Magnetic Bearing”, ASME Trans., Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbine and Power, Vol. 132 January, No. 1. [0091] 3) Dimitri, A. S., and El-Shafei, A., 2010, “Instability Control and Unbalance Compensation of Flexible Rotors Supported on Journal Bearings Using Magnetic Bearings”, Proceedings of the 8th IFToMM International Conference on Rotordynamics September 12-15, KIST, Seoul, Korea. [0092] 4) El-Hakim, M., Dimitri, A. S, Sakr, T., Mahfoud, J., Adly, A. A., and El-Shafei, A., 2012, “Numerical and experimental identification of a combined Journal-Magnetic bearing: Smart Integrated Bearing,” Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Vibrations in Rotating Machinery, IMechE, London UK, p. 399-407, 11-13 September [0093] 5) El-Shafei, A., Dimitri, A. S., Saqr, T., and El-Hakim, M., “Test Rig Characterization and Dynamic Testing of a Smart Electro-Magnetic Actuator Journal Integrated Bearing”, Proc. 9th IFToMM Int. Conf. on Rotordynamics, September 22-25, Milan, Italy, 2014. Mechanisms and Machine Science Vol. 21, Springer. [0094] 6) Dimitri, A. S., Mahfoud, J. and El-Shafei, A., 2015, “Oil Whip Elimination using Fuzzy Controller”, J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power, Vol. 138, No. 6. [0095] 7) Dimitri, A. S., El-Shafei, A., Adly, A. A., Mahfoud, J., 2015, “Magnetic Actuator Control of Oil Whip Instability in Bearings” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. 51, No. 11. [0096] 8) El-Shafei, A., Dimitri, A. S., and Mahfoud, J., 2016, “PD Control of a Smart Electro-Magnetic Actuator Journal Integrated Bearing (IJB)” Proceedings the 11.sup.th IMechE International Conference on Vibrations in Rotating Machinery, Manchester, UK, September 2016, paper C1030, pp. 239-250.