Aerated squeeze-film damper
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsRobert J. Morris, Gregory M. Savela, Daniel L. Gysling, Richard A. Lomenzo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bearing assembly is provided. The bearing assembly may include an inner race configured to couple to a shaft, an outer race disposed around the inner race, a bearing support structure coupled to the outer race, and a housing disposed around the bearing support structure. The housing and the bearing support structure may define a squeeze-film damper annulus configured to receive an aerated damping fluid. The aerated damping fluid may be provided from a fluid pump and an air supply port.
Claims20
A bearing assembly for a shaft configured to rotate about an axis, comprising:
- an inner race coupled to the shaft;
- an outer race disposed around the inner race;
- a bearing support structure coupled to the outer race;
- a housing disposed around the bearing support structure, wherein the housing and the bearing support structure define a squeeze-film damper annulus configured to contain an aerated damping fluid;
- and
- an air supply port in fluid communication with the squeeze-film damper annulus, wherein the air supply port is configured to supply an airflow to aerate a damping oil and generate the aerated damping fluid.
A squeeze-film damper, comprising:
- an outer race having an annular geometry;
- a bearing support structure coupled to the outer race;
- a housing disposed about the bearing support structure;
- a first seal and a second seal between the bearing support structure and the housing, wherein the housing, the bearing support structure, the first seal, and the second seal define a squeeze-film damper annulus;
- and
- an aerated damping fluid contained within the squeeze-film damper annulus.
A gas turbine engine, comprising:
- a shaft;
- an inner bearing race coupled to the shaft;
- an outer bearing race disposed around the inner bearing race, wherein the shaft and the inner bearing race are configured to rotate within the outer bearing race;
- a bearing support structure coupled to the outer bearing race;
- a housing surrounding the bearing support structure, wherein the outer bearing race is configured to whirl within the housing, and wherein a squeeze-film damper annulus is defined between the bearing support structure and the housing, and wherein the squeeze-film annulus is configured to contain an aerated damping fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.