Active balancing system powered by light

摘要

An active balancing system for rotating machinery is provided which is light weight, solid state and powered by radiant energy. One or more balance rings coupled to the rotating machinery each have balancing elements which are moved to a selected position by actuators whose operation is controlled according to measured vibration resulting from imbalance of the machinery. The actuators are powered by an electrical energy generating device, such as a photo cell or a photovoltaic element, which is coupled to the machinery and located across an air gap from a source of radiant energy such as an array of light emitting diodes.

主权项

1. Apparatus for balancing a machine, comprising:
a balance ring coupled to the machine, said balance ring having a number of balancing elements, each of said balancing elements being formed with a cavity defining an inner wall connected at opposite ends to spaced side walls, a beam being located in each of said cavities, each of said beams having a first end and a second end, said first end of each of said beams being connected to one of said side walls; a number of actuators mounted to said balance ring, each of said actuators being coupled to one of said balancing elements; an electrical energy generating device coupled to said actuators; a light source spaced from said electrical energy generating device across an air gap, said light source being positioned to direct radiant energy onto said electrical energy generating device; each of said actuators being effective to move a respective balancing element to a selected radial location relative to the machine powered by electrical energy from said electrical energy generating device.