US010753226B1

( 12) United States Patent ( 10) Patent No .: US 10,753,226 B1

Earhart et al . (45) Date of Patent : Aug. 25, 2020
( 54 ) REVERSE VORTEX RING (RVR ) FOR ( 56 ) References Cited
DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENTS IN ROCKET
ENGINE TURBOMACHINERY U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
ROTORDYNAMIC STABILITY MARGINS
6,536,468 B1 * 3/2003 Wilmer B01F 3/0857
( 71 ) Applicant: United States of America as 137/544
represented by the Administrator of 6,839,234 B2 * 1/2005 Niwatsukino F28D 15/0266
165 / 80.3
NASA , Washington , DC (US ) 2008/0304972 A1 * 12/2008 Xiao F04D 29/668
416/203
( 72 ) Inventors: Eric M. Earhart , Huntsville, AL (US ); 2010/0322755 A1 * 12/2010 Tecza F04D 29/542
J. Mark Darden , Huntsville, AL (US ) 415/1
2011/0027085 A1 * 2/2011 Glasspoole FO1D 25/04
( 73 ) Assignee : United States of America as 416/145
represented by the Administrator of 2011/0121519 A1 * 5/2011 Justak FO1D 11/025
NASA , Washington, DC (US ) 2014/02 16191 A1 * 8/2014 Marsaudon
277/412
F16H 55/06
( * ) Notice : Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 74/434
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 ( Continued )
U.S.C. 154 ( b ) by 0 days. Primary Examiner Minh Q Le
( 21 ) Appl. No .: 16 /405,450 (74 ) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — James J. McGroary;
Helen M. Galus
(22 ) Filed : May 7 , 2019
( 57 ) ABSTRACT
(51 ) Int. Ci. A flat reverse vortex ring is sized and shaped to either attach
F15C 1/06 ( 2006.01 )
FOID 25/04 ( 2006.01 ) to or be formed as part of a distal end of a sleeve bearing or
FO1D 25/16 ( 2006.01 ) seal . The ring has a series of evenly spaced radial channels
F150 1/00 ( 2006.01 ) that extend from an inner diameter to an outer diameter of
( 52) U.S. CI. the ring . The channels have a depth . The ring has an upper
CPC FOID 25/04 (2013.01 ) ; FOID 25/164 surface with an alternating series of planar surfaces and
(2013.01 ) ; F150 1/009 (2013.01 ) ; F05D openings located at an upper end of the channels. The ring
2250/294 ( 2013.01 ) ; F05D 2250/61 ( 2013.01 ) ; may have an interior diameter equal to an interior diameter
F05D 2260/96 ( 2013.01) of the sleeve bearing or seal . The ring may have an exterior
( 58 ) Field of Classification Search diameter equal to an exterior diameter the sleeve bearing or
CPC FO1D 25/04 ; F01D 25/164 ; F15D 1/009 ; seal . The channels may be semi-cylindrical. The channels
F05D 2250/294; FO5D 2250/61; FO5D have a diameter and the depth is a predetermined portion of
2260/96 the diameter. The channels may be rectangular in cross
USPC 137/808 , 809 , 810 , 811 ; 73/593 , 665 , section with a height- to -width ratio of between 0.5 and 1.5 .
73/526 ; 74/900
See application file for complete search history . 10 Claims , 6 Drawing Sheets
10
34
28 30 26

38
lese 14

42
46
100
18
50 WA
62

22
32
58 54
66
 US 10,753,226 B1
Page 2

( 56 ) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
2015/0369080 A1 * 12/2015 Arghir FO1D 25/24
415/119
2016/0069269 A1 * 3/2016 Hyland FO1D 11/025
415/1
2016/0076397 A1 * 3/2016 Eshak FO1D 25/30
415/119
2016/0146106 A1 * 5/2016 Baudoin F04D 19/002
415/119
2017/0292449 A1 * 10/2017 Agara FO1D 25/18
2018/0038282 A1 * 2/2018 Kugimiya F23R 3/002
2018/0163751 A1 * 6/2018 Edwards F04D 29/668
2018/0258853 A1 * 9/2018 Marchaj FO2K 1/827
2018/0355909 A1 * 12/2018 Yoshino FO1D 25/168
2019/0063261 A1 * 2/2019 Varney F16C 33/104
2019/0120254 A1 * 4/2019 Duffy FOID 5/22
2020/0096041 A1 * 3/2020 Wojtyczka F16C 27/02
* cited by examiner
U.S. Patent Aug. 25 , 2020 Sheet 1 of 6 US 10,753,226 B1

10
34
28 30 26

38 14

42

46 QoOOOS
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22
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66

FIG . 1
U.S. Patent Aug. 25 , 2020 Sheet 2 of 6 US 10,753,226 B1

26 10

38 14
O
42 OO
000
46 100000000
10000000000 000
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100000 0000000
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50 62
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FIG . 2
26
10
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38 -
42
46
50 62
22

FIG . 3
U.S. Patent Aug. 25 , 2020 Sheet 3 of 6 US 10,753,226 B1

10

30 26

34
22

FIG . 4
U.S. Patent Aug. 25 , 2020 Sheet 4 of 6 US 10,753,226 B1

62 38 50 10
34 46 42
26
14

28 FIG . 5
30 32
66
30

34
Danas
FIG . 6 74
26
10

42 30 14
10

26
34
74 FIG . 7
U.S. Patent Aug. 25 , 2020 Sheet 5 of 6 US 10,753,226 B1

1.5

38 50 46
-10
42
1

0.5 14

0
28 26
-0.5
32

-1

-1.5
1.5 1 0.5 0 -0.5 -1 -1.5

FIG . 8
 ŠPatent Aug. 25 , 2020 Sheet 6 of 6 US 10,753,226 B1

38 42
50 46
1

0.2

14
2

-0.4 26
28
-0.6

-0.8

-1

-1.2
-0.2 0 0.2 04 0.6 0.8 1 1.2

FIG . 9
 US 10,753,226 B1
1 2
REVERSE VORTEX RING (RVR ) FOR While some of the objectives of the present invention are
DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENTS IN ROCKET disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found
ENGINE TURBOMACHINERY include all of the requirements identified .
ROTORDYNAMIC STABILITY MARGINS
5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of
The invention described herein was made by an employee prior art turbulence control devices for rotating machinery
of the United States Government and may be manufactured and satisfies all of the objectives described above .
and used by or for the Government of the United States of 10 ( 1 ) A reverse vortex ring satisfying all of the above
America for governmental purposes without the payment of objectives includes the following limitations . A flat ring is
any royalties thereon or therefor. provided . The ring is sized and shaped to either attach to ,
FIELD OF INVENTION located in front of or formed as part of a distal end of a
15 sleeve bearing or seal . The ring has a series of evenly spaced
This invention relates to the field of vibration abatement radial channels . The channels extend from an inner diameter
for high speed rotating machinery, and more specifically to of the ring to an outer diameter of the ring . The channels
vibration problems associated with highly preswirled fluid have a depth . The ring has an upper surface . The upper
entering tight clearance locations such as seals and fluid surface includes a series of planar surfaces alternating with
bearings in such machinery. 20 a series of openings . The openings are located at an upper
end of the channels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ( 2 ) In a variant of the invention, the inner diameter is
equal to an interior diameter of the sleeve bearing.
With the advent of rotating machinery, high - speed rotors ( 3 ) In another variant, the outer diameter is equal to an
have been of interest to engineers . Rotating machinery has 25 exterior diameter the sleeve bearing or seal .
been employed in a wide range of applications in the past ( 4 ) In still another variant, the radial channels are semi
century. These applications range from steam turbines for cylindrical
electric power generation to the turbopumps used in the ( 5 ) In yet another variant, the radial channels have a
Space Shuttle Main Engines . As these machines have diameter and said depth is a predetermined portion of the
become more commonplace there has been an increased 30 diameter.
demand for lightweight, compact designs. The required ( 6 ) In a further variant, the predetermined portion is less
power output of these units has also increased leading to than 85 % of the diameter.
ever high power to weight ratios. These leaner designs are ( 7 ) In still a further variant, the radial channels are
the hallmark of the aerospace industry. Vibration problems, rectangular in cross - section .
which occur more frequently in high power to weight 35 ( 8 ) In yet a further variant, a height -to -width ratio of the
machines, often lead to costly down time ( and subsequent channels is greater than 0.5 and less than 1.5 .
redesign) and, in some instances, catastrophic failure . A ( 9 ) In yet a further variant, the radial channels taper from
disproportionate number of vibration problems in rotating the outer diameter to the inner diameter of the ring .
machinery can be attributed to highly preswirled fluid enter ( 10) In a final variant of the invention , the planar surfaces
ing tight clearance locations such as seals and fluid bearings . 40 taper from the outer diameter to the inner diameter of the
The relationship between high fluid pre - swirl and undesir ring.
able vibration issues is clear. Machines with high levels of An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the
fluid pre - swirl are more susceptible to instabilities and present invention and an understanding of it may be
vibration problems. A top priority in rotordynamic design , achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and the
therefore, is to develop devices to minimize the level of fluid 45 detailed description of a preferred embodiment.
pre -swirl entering tight clearance locations. The reverse
vortex ring has been found to not only minimize this DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
detrimental pre - swirl but to actually reverse the direction of
the swirl. A characteristic that historically has been detri FIG . 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment
mental to rotating machinery has now become an asset to 50 of the invention illustrating a Reverse Vortex Ring ( RVR )
ameliorate vibration issues through the use of the reverse and associated sleeve bearing or seal with roughened interior
vortex ring (RVR ). surface;
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an FIG . 2 is a perspective view of the FIG . 1 embodiment
apparatus for reducing vibration in high - speed rotating mounted to a sleeve bearing or seal with roughened interior
machinery induced by pre -swirled fluid entering tight clear- 55 surface ;
ance locations such as seals and fluid bearings. It is a further FIG . 3 is a perspective view of the FIG . 1 embodiment
objective to provide an apparatus that involves a minimum mounted to a sleeve bearing with smooth interior surface ;
of modifications to existing machinery designs. It is a still FIG . 4 is a perspective view of the FIG . 1 embodiment
further objective of the invention to minimize the number, mounted to a sleeve bearing and installed in an Annular Seal
complexity and weight of any parts that must be added to 60 Test device ;
reduce such vibrations. It is yet a further objective to provide FIG . 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the RVR of the
an apparatus that is durable and simple to manufacture . FIG . 1 embodiment illustrating the fluid flow above the RVR
Finally, it is an objective of the present invention to provide and within the chambers of the ring ;
an apparatus that may be scaled to a wide variety of FIG . 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
applications and that will function efficiently with a wide 65 of the RVR having rectangular channels in which the chan
variety of fluids in varying conditions of temperature, pres nels of the ring taper from the outer diameter to the inner
sure and other conditions. diameter of the ring;
 US 10,753,226 B1
3 4
FIG . 7 is a perspective view of an another alternative ( 10) In a final variant of the invention , as illustrated in
embodiment of the RVR having rectangular channels in FIG . 7 , the planar surfaces 42 taper from the outer diameter
which the planar surfaces of the ring taper from the outer 34 to the inner diameter 30 of the ring 14 .
diameter to the inner diameter of the ring; The reverse vortex ring 10 has been described with
FIG . 8 is a cross - sectional view of a single channel of the 5 reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications
FIG . 1 embodiment illustrating the analytical flow velocities and enhancements can be made without departing from the
of fluid passing over the channel and moving within the spirit and scope of the claims that follow .
channel; and
FIG . 9 is a cross - sectional view of a single channel of the The invention claimed is :
FIG . 7 embodiment illustrating the analytical flow velocities 10 1. A reverse vortex ring comprising:
of fluid passing over the channel and moving within the a flat ring , said ring being sized and shaped to either attach
channel. to , disposed in front of or formed as part of a distal end
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE of a sleeve bearing or seal ;
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT said ring having a series of evenly spaced radial channels ,
15 said channels extending from an inner diameter of said
( 1 ) FIGS . 1-9 illustrate a reverse vortex ring 10 satisfying ring to an outer diameter of said ring , said channels
all of the above objectives that includes the following having a depth; and
limitations. A flat ring 14 is provided . The ring 14 is sized said ring having an upper surface, said upper surface
and shaped to either attach to , located in front of or formed comprising a series of planar surfaces alternating with
as part of a distal end 18 of a sleeve bearing or seal 22. The 20 a series of openings , said openings disposed at an upper
ring 14 has a series of evenly spaced radial channels 26. The end of said channels .
channels 26 have a depth 28. The channels 26 extend from wherein 2. The reverse vortex ring, as described in claim 1 ,
an inner dia eter 30 of the ring 14 to an outer diameter 34 of said sleeve said inner diameter is equal to an interior diameter
of the ring 14. The ring 14 has an upper surface 38. The bearing or seal .
3. The reverse
upper surface 38 includes a series of planar surfaces 42 25 wherein said outer diameter vortex ring, as described in claim 1 ,
alternating with a series of openings 46. The openings 46 are said sleeve bearing or seal . is equal to an exterior diameter
located at an upper end 50 of the channels 26 . 4. The reverse vortex ring, as described in claim 1 ,
(2 ) In a variant of the invention , the inner diameter 30 is
equal to an interior diameter 54 of the sleeve bearing or seal 30 wherein said radial channels are semi-cylindrical.
5. The reverse vortex ring, as described in claim 4 ,
22 .
(3 ) In another variant, the outer diameter 34 is equal to an wherein
is a
said radial channels have a diameter and said depth
predetermined portion of said diameter.
exterior diameter 58 of the sleeve bearing or seal 22 .
(4 ) In still another variant, the radial channels 26 are wherein said predeterminedring
6. The reverse vortex , as described in claim 5 ,
portion is less than 85 % of said
semi- cylindrical 62 .
( 5 ) In yet another variant, the radial channels 26 have a 35 diameter.
diameter 32 and the depth 28 is a predetermined portion 66 7. The reverse vortex ring, as described in claim 1 ,
of the diameter 32 . wherein said radial channels are rectangular in cross - section .
( 6 ) In a further variant, the predetermined portion 66 is 8. The reverse vortex ring, as described in claim 7 ,
less than 85 % of the diameter. wherein a height- to -width ratio of said channels is greater
(7) In still a further variant,as illustrated in FIGS . 6 , 7 and 40 than9. 0.5
Theandreverse
less than 1.5 . ring, as described in claim 7 ,
vortex
9 , the radial channels 26 are rectangular 74 in cross - section . wherein said radial channels taper from said outer diameter
( 8 ) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS . 1-9 , a to said inner diameter of said ring .
height - to -width ratio of the channels 26 is greater than 0.5 10. The reverse vortex ring , as described in claim 7 ,
and less than 1.5 .
(9) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in 45 wherein said planar surfaces taper from said outer diameter
to said inner diameter of said ring .
FIG . 6 , the radial channels 26 taper from the outer diameter
34 to the inner diameter 30 of the ring 14 .