SUMMER 2019

40
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
ROTOR CLIP COMPANY INC.
187 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ 08873
TEL 1-800-557-6867 FAX 732-469-7898 EMAIL info@rotorclip.com WEB www.rotorclip.com
BRINGING BALANCE TO THE FORCE - PART 1
by Jürgen Wenzel, Global Marketing Manager
Retaining Ring Solutions to Reduce Noise,
Vibration and Harshness (NVH) for Applications
with High RPMs and Balancing Needs
Bringing balance to forces is not just a fictional
desire in a galaxy far, far away, but a real life challenge
when it comes to developing machinery and equipment
dealing with high rotational speeds (RPMs). Everything
from electric motors, transmissions, and axles to pumps,
turbines, fans, drive shafts, and generators are all
examples of applications that need to run as smooth as
possible in order to be efficient, safe and long-lasting.
Retaining rings are often used in these types of high RPM
applications to fix bearings on shafts or in bores. It is
therefore critical for design engineers to choose rings that
will retain parts effectively and allow assemblies to run at
maximum capacity, while not being negatively impacted
by, or add to, the forces of high rotational speeds and
causes of NVH.
Rotor Clip is a global leader and expert in the
production of retaining rings and has assisted design
engineers for over 60 years with retaining ring solutions
that achieved their ultimate design goals, including the
reduction of noise, vibration, and harshness.
Bowed and Beveled Rings That Combat NVH
Each ring type employs a unique geometry that
addresses unacceptable endplay in its own way. Bowed rings
do not lie in a single plane perpendicular to the assembly
centerline. Their bowed construction lets them act like a
flat spring, offering dynamic endplay take up. By flattening
or rebounding they press the retained part into place. Such
rings are generally used for smaller applications; standard
diameters range from 0.11in to 1.75in.
Beveled rings, on the other hand, are planar but
feature a 15 deg. bevel. This allows them to act like a
wedge between the retained part and the ring groove
wall, rigidly taking up endplay space. Beveled retaining
rings are usually used in larger applications that require
standard sizes between 1 and 10 in. in diameter.
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
EXAMPLE OF ROTORCLIP’S BOWED E RING. PART #BE
THE DIAGRAM ABOVE DEPICTS HOW A BEVELED RING USES ITS
BEVEL TO ACT AS A WEDGE.
Since the function of a beveled ring is based on
the ring’s radial spring force, an external beveled ring is
therefore highly sensitive to RPMs. This force is countered
by high RPMs, such that external beveled retaining rings
installed on rotating shafts lose their end play capability
rather quickly. However, this is not a concern with internal
beveled retaining rings, since the centrifugal forces push
the ring deeper into the groove.
Stay tuned to the Part 2 in this series in the next
issue to learn about Rotor Clip’s product line that work
hard to fight NVH.
ROTOR CLIP COMPANY INC.