Liquid-chamber apparatus for active, dynamic balancing of rotating machinery
AssigneeAT&T Corp.
InventorsJames C. Coyne, Richard T. LaGrotta, Frank A. Magnotti, Frances Turbiak-Magnotti
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Abstract
Apparatus performs active, dynamic balancing of a rotating machine by shifting the spatial distribution of an inertial liquid within a body that co-rotates with the rotating shaft of the machine. The body includes chambers, substantially disposed at equal angular intervals, for containing the inertial liquid. The chambers communicate through a channel lying at or beyond the outermost radial position of the outward ends of the chambers. A motive element or elements are provided for impelling the inertial liquid through the channel. The chambers, channel, and motive elements form a sealable system.
Claims10
Apparatus for balancing a rotating machine, said machine having a rotational axis and further having a rotatable shaft concentric with the axis, the apparatus comprising:
- a) means for sensing rotational imbalance of the machine during rotation of the shaft;
- b) a signal processor for generating a control signal responsive to the sensing means, said processor physically separated from the shaft such that said processor does not co-rotate therewith;
- c) a body adapted to mount on the shaft and to co-rotate therewith;
- d) means, stationary relative to the signal processor, for transmitting the control signal;
- e) means, stationary relative to the body, for receiving the control signal;
- f) a first interconnectable group comprising at least first and second chambers formed within the body and having respective centroids disposed substantially at equal angular intervals around the rotational axis, wherein each of said chambers is adapted to contain a first inertial liquid, each of said chambers has a longitudinal axis oriented in a substantially radial direction relative to the rotational axis, each of said chambers has an outer end disposed distal the rotational axis, and each of said outer ends has a respective maximum radial distance from the rotational axis, said maximum distance to be referred to as the respective chamber outer radius;
- g) at least one first channel adapted for transferring at least a portion of said first inertial liquid between the chambers of the first interconnectable group, said channel disposed within the body and radially distant from the rotational axis by at least the greatest of the respective chamber outer radii;
- and
- h) first motive means, mounted within the body, for impelling at least a portion of said first inertial liquid through the first channel in response to the control signal received by the receiving means, wherein:
- i) the first interconnectable group of chambers, the first channel, and the first motive means form a first sealable system with respect to said first inertial liquid;
- j) each of the chambers is adapted such that under the action of centrifugal force, said first inertial liquid within the chamber is urged toward the outer end of that chamber, and
- k) the first channel is in receiving relationship to the chambers with respect to displacements of said first inertial fluid induced by centrifugal force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.