BALANCER

• US 20150167492A1
• Filed: 12/17/2014
• Published: 06/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: RED Tail Hawk Services, Inc.
• Original Assignee: RED Tail Hawk Services, Inc.
• Inventors: Collette, Samuel, Johnson, David, Schreier, Paul, Sharma, Devyani, Smith, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US14/573,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20150167492A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 11/008 characterised by vibration absorbing or balancing means
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 21/003 Arrangements for testing or measuring for measuring vibrations G01H
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/06 for preventing blade vibration means on blade-carrying members or blades F01D5/00
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/28 Supporting or mounting arrangements, e.g. for turbine casing
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/34 Fastening arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/36 operating automatically , i.e. where, for a given amount of unbalance, there is movement of masses until balance is achieved damping vibrations of washing machines by displacing, supplying or ejecting a material, e.g. liquid, into or from counterbalancing pockets D06F37/245

Abstract

A rotating object balancer may include an insert configured for securing to an object and having a chamber for placement of balancing elements and a curable solution, a rotational system configured to rotate the object at high-speed, a monitoring system for monitoring vibrations of the object rotating at high-speed, and a curing tool configured for curing the curable solution when the object has reached a balanced state. A method of balancing may be performed by the balancer and a balanced object may be created by the balancer.

Claims

1. A rotating object balancer, comprising:

an insert configured for securing to an object and having a chamber for placement of balancing elements and a curable solution;

a rotational system configured to rotate the object at high-speed;

a monitoring system for monitoring vibrations of the object rotating at high-speed; and

a curing tool configured for curing the curable solution when the object has reached a balanced state.

2. The balancer of claim 1, wherein the curing tool comprises an ultraviolet light emitting device.

3. The balancer of claim 2, wherein the curing tool comprises a heating element.

4. The balancer of claim 1, wherein the object is a propeller.

5. The balancer of claim 4, wherein the insert is configured for engaging the hub of the propeller.

6. The balancer of claim 1, wherein the rotational system comprises a universal switch configured to isolate vibrations from a drive system so as to avoid affecting vibration of the object.

7. The balancer of claim 6, wherein the universal switch comprises a drive receiving portion, a central portion pivotable relative to the drive receiving portion about a first axis, and a top portion pivotable relative to the central portion about a second axis.

8. The balancer of claim 7, wherein the drive receiving portion defines a longitudinal axis and the first axis and second axis are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

9. The balancer of claim 8, wherein the first and second axes are substantially perpendicular to one another.

10. The balancer of claim 9, wherein further comprising a cage for surrounding the object during rotation.

11. The balancer of claim 1, wherein the chamber is substantially annular in shape and includes a substantially round cross-section.

12. The balancer of claim 11, wherein the balancing elements comprise ball bearings.

13. The balancer of claim 11, wherein the balancing elements are surrounded by the curable solution within the chamber.

14. The balancer of claim 13, wherein the curable solution is curable by exposure to ultraviolet light.

15. A method of balancing an object, comprising:

arranging balancing elements on the object such that the balancing elements are free to move within a region;

rotating the object at high-speed;

monitoring the object for a balanced condition; and

fixing the position of the balancing elements when the object is in a balanced condition and while the object is rotating.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the region comprises a chamber and arranging balancing elements on the object comprises placing the objects in a chamber.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein fixing the position of the balancing elements comprises exposing the object to ultraviolet light.

18. A rotationally balanced object, comprising:

a body portion;

a cavity arranged within the body portion;

a balancing element arranged within the cavity portion; and

a cured or curable substance arranged within the cavity at least partially surrounding the balancing element and configured for securing the position of the balancing element when the substance is in a cured state.

19. The object of claim 18, wherein the substance is curable using ultraviolet light.

20. The object of claim 19, wherein the substance is curable using heat.

21. The object of claim 18, wherein the substance is a two part material curable by mixing.

22. The object of claim 18, wherein the body portion comprises a base portion and an insert or attachment.

23. The object of claim 18, wherein the cavity is arranged in the insert or attachment.