Multiple counter-balances for rotating components
AssigneeBlue Origin, LLC
InventorJordan Marshall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rocket engine propulsion system having improved engine performance is described herein. The rocket engine propulsion system includes multiple axial counterbalances to reduce or eliminate axial thrust exerted on components of a turbopump. The axial counterbalances can allow for a larger range of axial thrust forces while coupling this ability to a rotational speed (e.g., rotations per minute, or RPM) of a shaft. The axial counterbalances include protrusions that extend circumferentially around a shaft that mate with protrusions on swing arms. The swing arms are rotatably attached to a bracket which is constrained by a static support.
Claims28
A turbopump, comprising:
- a shaft;
- a first shaft protrusion extending circumferentially around the shaft;
- a second shaft protrusion extending circumferentially around the shaft;
- and
- a first axial counterbalance including:
- a first swing arm;
- a first swing arm protrusion positioned at a first end of the first swing arm, the first swing arm protrusion positioned to engage with the first shaft protrusion of the shaft;
- and
- a first force generator structured to produce a first force in a direction opposite a direction of a force produced by or exerted on the shaft;
- and
- a second axial counterbalance including:
- a second swing arm;
- a second swing arm protrusion positioned at a first end of the second swing arm, the second swing arm protrusion positioned to engage with the second shaft protrusion of the shaft;
- and
- a second force generator structured to produce a second force in the same direction as the first force generator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.