JPS60227010A - Vertical rotor - Google Patents

Vertical rotor

Info

Publication number
JPS60227010A
JPS60227010A JP8334384A JP8334384A JPS60227010A JP S60227010 A JPS60227010 A JP S60227010A JP 8334384 A JP8334384 A JP 8334384A JP 8334384 A JP8334384 A JP 8334384A JP S60227010 A JPS60227010 A JP S60227010A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
rotating body
end plate
rotor body
end plates
convex surface
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP8334384A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Norio Uchida
内田 憲男
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Toshiba Corp
Original Assignee
Toshiba Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Toshiba Corp filed Critical Toshiba Corp
Priority to JP8334384A priority Critical patent/JPS60227010A/en
Publication of JPS60227010A publication Critical patent/JPS60227010A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16CSHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C13/00Rolls, drums, discs, or the like; Bearings or mountings therefor

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Rolls And Other Rotary Bodies (AREA)

Abstract

PURPOSE:To moderate stress concentrated to a joint portion between a rotor body and each of end plates and prevent sealing properties from being deteriorated by forming a peripheral surface of each of the end plates mounted on both ends of the rotor body by forcing or fitting into a convex surface changing circular arc-shaped along the axial direction of the rotor body. CONSTITUTION:A peripheral surface of an end plate 11 is formed into a convex surface X changing arc-shaped along the axial direction of a rotor body. A radius R of curvature of the convex surface X is set to be larger than the thicknesses t of positioning rings 4a, 4b in the radial direction thereof. The end plate 11 is such forced into the rotor body 1 that the convex surface X makes contact with the inner peripheral surface of the rotor body 1 and with the end surfaces of the positioning rings 4a, 4b for limiting the axial position of the end plate 11. A space P surrounded by the end plate 11 peripheral surface, rotor body 1 inner surface, and the positioning rings 4a, 4b are filled with a sealing agent.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 〔発明の技術分野〕 本発明は、円筒状に形成された竪型回転体の改良に関す
る。
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an improvement of a cylindrical vertical rotating body.

〔発明の技術的背景とその問題点〕[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

ある種のプラントにあっては、筒状に形成された中空構
造の回転体を回転させなければならないものがある。こ
のような回転体は、通常、両端部を開放した円筒体の両
端に一対の端板を固定し、これら端板の中心に、上記円
筒体と同軸的に回転軸を設けて構成される。従来は、円
筒体と端板とが金属で形成されていたので、円筒体の内
面と端板の周縁とを溶接等の方法によって結合するよう
にしていた、しかしながら、最近では、回転体の軽量化
を図るため、円筒体や端板を比強度の大きな繊維強化複
合材料で形成することがある。このような場合の円筒体
と端板との結合方法として、また、円筒体と端板との結
合工程の簡易化を図る目的で、円筒体の内面と端板の周
縁とを嵌合結合するようにした回転体が考えられている
In some types of plants, it is necessary to rotate a rotating body having a hollow cylindrical structure. Such a rotating body is usually constructed by fixing a pair of end plates to both ends of a cylindrical body with both ends open, and providing a rotating shaft coaxially with the cylindrical body at the center of these end plates. Conventionally, the cylindrical body and the end plate were made of metal, so the inner surface of the cylindrical body and the periphery of the end plate were joined by methods such as welding. In order to achieve this, the cylindrical body and end plates are sometimes made of a fiber-reinforced composite material with high specific strength. As a method of joining the cylindrical body and the end plate in such a case, and also for the purpose of simplifying the process of joining the cylindrical body and the end plate, the inner surface of the cylindrical body and the periphery of the end plate are fitted together. A rotating body is being considered.

ところで、一般に、筒状に形成された回転体を回転させ
ると、回転体は遠心力によって径方向に膨らみ、この膨
らんだ分だけ軸方向に縮む。したがって、回転体の両端
部の端板に固定された回転軸の軸方向の相対距離が短く
なり、回転軸と、これを軸支する軸受との間の位置関係
が変動するので、回転体の回転性能の低下をもたらすこ
とになる。
By the way, generally, when a rotating body formed in a cylindrical shape is rotated, the rotating body expands in the radial direction due to centrifugal force, and contracts in the axial direction by the amount of this expansion. Therefore, the relative distance in the axial direction of the rotating shaft fixed to the end plates at both ends of the rotating body becomes shorter, and the positional relationship between the rotating shaft and the bearing that supports it fluctuates. This results in a decrease in rotational performance.

そこで、このような不具合を解消するため、従来は、次
のようにして回転軸の軸方向の距離を一定に保つような
工夫がなされていた。
In order to solve this problem, conventionally, the following measures have been taken to keep the distance in the axial direction of the rotating shaft constant.

すなわち、第1図において、1は、たとえば炭素繊維強
化プラスチック(以下rCFRPJと呼ぶ)からなる円
筒状の回転体本体である。この回転体本体1の両端部に
は、同じ<CFRPで形成された一対の端板2.3が、
それぞれ対をなす位置決めリング4a、4bおよび5a
、5bによってそれぞれの軸方向位置を規制され、圧入
または接着などの方法によって挿着されている。端板2
゜3は、それぞれの中央部が互いに近接する方向に湾曲
した形状を呈し、それぞれの中央部に回転軸6.7を、
回転体本体1に対して同軸的に固定したものとなってい
る。
That is, in FIG. 1, 1 is a cylindrical rotating body made of, for example, carbon fiber reinforced plastic (hereinafter referred to as rCFRPJ). A pair of end plates 2.3 made of the same CFRP are provided at both ends of the rotating body 1.
Positioning rings 4a, 4b and 5a each form a pair
, 5b regulate their respective axial positions, and are inserted by a method such as press-fitting or gluing. End plate 2
゜3 has a shape in which each central portion is curved in a direction approaching each other, and a rotating shaft 6.7 is provided in each central portion.
It is fixed coaxially to the rotary body 1.

このように構成された竪型回転体において、回転体本体
1が回転すると、回転体1は、第2図に示すように遠心
力で径方向に膨らみ、その分だけ軸方向に縮む。このと
き、端板2,3は径方向に伸長するので、それぞれの中
央部は互いに遊離する向きに変形する。すなわち、端板
2,3は、回転体本体1が軸方向に縮んだ分だけその中
央部を遊離させるので、その結果として回転軸6.7の
軸間距離を一定、に保つように機能する。
In the vertical rotating body configured in this way, when the rotating body main body 1 rotates, the rotating body 1 expands in the radial direction due to centrifugal force as shown in FIG. 2, and contracts in the axial direction by that amount. At this time, since the end plates 2 and 3 extend in the radial direction, their central portions deform in a direction that separates them from each other. In other words, the end plates 2 and 3 release the center portion by the amount that the rotary body 1 has shrunk in the axial direction, and as a result, they function to keep the distance between the rotary shafts 6.7 constant. .

ところが、このような従来の竪型回転体にあっては、次
のような問題があった。
However, such a conventional vertical rotating body has the following problems.

すなわち、上述の・ように回転体本体1の回転時に端板
2,3が変形すると、第3図に示すように、端板2.3
の局面が回転体本体1の内面に対して傾き、この結果、
端板2,3の周端部に過大な応力が作用して端板2,3
が変形したり、接着剤が剥離して端板2,3と回転体本
体1との結合強度を弱めたりするという問題があった。
That is, when the end plates 2 and 3 deform during rotation of the rotating body 1 as described above, the end plates 2 and 3 deform as shown in FIG.
is tilted with respect to the inner surface of the rotating body 1, and as a result,
Excessive stress acts on the peripheral edges of the end plates 2 and 3, causing the end plates 2 and 3 to
There have been problems in that the end plates 2, 3 and the rotating body 1 may be deformed or the adhesive may peel off, weakening the bonding strength between the end plates 2, 3 and the rotating body 1.

特に、このような竪型回転体のうち、回転体本体1が回
転している状態で回転体本体1の内部にガスを通流させ
るものでは、上記端板2.3の局面と、回転体本体1の
内面とでガスのシール部を構成するので、上述のような
問題が発生すると、シール性能の低下をもたらすという
問題があった。
In particular, among such vertical rotary bodies, in those that allow gas to flow inside the rotary body 1 while the rotary body 1 is rotating, the aspect of the end plate 2.3 and the rotary body Since the inner surface of the main body 1 constitutes a gas sealing portion, if the above-mentioned problem occurs, there is a problem in that the sealing performance deteriorates.

〔発明の目的〕[Purpose of the invention]

本発明は、このような問題点に基づきなされたものであ
り、その目的とするところは、回転時の回転軸位置調整
機能を備えた一対の端板を、回転体本体の両端部に圧入
または嵌合してなる竪型回転体にあって、回転時におけ
る端板の周面と回転体本体内面との接合部に応力が集中
するのを緩和でき、かつシール性能の低下防止を図り得
る、信頼性の高い竪型回転体を提供することにある。
The present invention has been made based on the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to press-fit or press-fit a pair of end plates, which have a function of adjusting the rotation axis position during rotation, into both ends of the main body of the rotary body. In the vertical rotating body formed by fitting, it is possible to alleviate stress concentration at the joint between the peripheral surface of the end plate and the inner surface of the rotating body main body during rotation, and to prevent deterioration of sealing performance. The object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable vertical rotating body.

(発明の概要) 本発明は、回転軸の相対位置を一定に保持する機能を備
えた端板の周面形状に特徴を有している。
(Summary of the Invention) The present invention is characterized by the shape of the peripheral surface of the end plate, which has the function of keeping the relative position of the rotating shaft constant.

すなわち、本発明に係る端板は、その周面が前記回転体
本体の軸方向に沿って円弧状に変化する凸面に形成され
たものとなっている。
That is, the end plate according to the present invention has a circumferential surface formed into a convex surface that changes in an arc shape along the axial direction of the rotating body main body.

〔発明の効果〕 端板の局面がこのような形状であると、回転体本体の回
転時に端板が変形し、端板の周縁部が回転体本体に対し
外向きに傾いても、端板の回転体内面への接触位置は、
上述した凸面に沿って移動するので、従来のように、端
板の周縁部に過大な応力が集中することはない。
[Effects of the Invention] If the curved surface of the end plate has such a shape, even if the end plate is deformed during rotation of the rotor body and the peripheral edge of the end plate is inclined outward with respect to the rotor body, the end plate will remain intact. The contact position on the inner surface of the rotating body is
Since it moves along the above-mentioned convex surface, excessive stress will not be concentrated on the peripheral edge of the end plate, unlike in the conventional case.

また、端板が変形しても、この端板の回転体内面への接
触位置が、上述した凸面に沿って移動するので、端板の
周縁部と回転体本体の内面との結合状態を一定にするこ
とができる。このため、端板と回転体本体との結合部の
シール性能を常に一定に維持させることができる。
In addition, even if the end plate is deformed, the contact position of the end plate with the inner surface of the rotating body moves along the above-mentioned convex surface, so the state of connection between the peripheral edge of the end plate and the inner surface of the rotating body remains constant. It can be done. Therefore, the sealing performance of the joint between the end plate and the rotating body main body can always be maintained constant.

したがって、本発明によれば、信頼性の高い竪型回転体
を提供することができる。
Therefore, according to the present invention, a highly reliable vertical rotating body can be provided.

〔発明の実施例〕[Embodiments of the invention]

以下、第4図および第5図に基づいて、本発明の一実施
例に係る竪型回転体について説明する。
Hereinafter, a vertical rotating body according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG.

なお、第4図および第5図において第1図乃至第3図と
同一部分には同一符号をイ1しである。したがって、重
複する部分の説明は省くことにする。
In FIGS. 4 and 5, the same parts as in FIGS. 1 to 3 are designated by the same reference numerals. Therefore, the explanation of the overlapping parts will be omitted.

本実施例が従来例と異なる点は、端板11の局面形状に
ある。
This embodiment differs from the conventional example in the curved shape of the end plate 11.

すなわち、本実施例における端板11の周面は、回転体
本体の軸方向に沿って円弧状に変化する凸面Xに形成さ
れている。この凸面Xの曲率半径Rは、たとえば位置決
めリング4a、4b、5a。
That is, the peripheral surface of the end plate 11 in this embodiment is formed into a convex surface X that changes in an arc shape along the axial direction of the rotating body main body. The radius of curvature R of this convex surface X is, for example, the positioning ring 4a, 4b, 5a.

5bの径方向の厚みtよりも大きく設定されている。こ
の端板11は、上記凸面Xが回転体本体1の内周面と、
端板11の軸方向位置を規制する位置決めリング4a、
4b(または5a、5b)のている。そして、端板11
の周面と、回転体本体1の内面と、位置決めリング4a
、4b(または5a、5b)とで囲まれた空間P内には
、接着剤あるいは蒸気圧の低い潤滑油やフッ素系の油等
からなるシール剤が充填されている。
It is set larger than the radial thickness t of 5b. This end plate 11 has the above-mentioned convex surface
a positioning ring 4a that regulates the axial position of the end plate 11;
4b (or 5a, 5b). And the end plate 11
, the inner surface of the rotary body 1, and the positioning ring 4a.
, 4b (or 5a, 5b) is filled with a sealant made of adhesive, lubricating oil with low vapor pressure, fluorine-based oil, or the like.

このような構成であれば、第5図中点線で示すように、
端板11の周縁部が回転体1に対して外向きに傾いた場
合、端板110回転体本体1の内面への接触位置は、端
板11に設けられた凸面Xに沿って変化する。従って、
上記凸面Xと、位置決めIJング4a、4b(または5
a、5b)および回転体本体1の内面との接触位置にお
いて、端板11や回転体本体1および位置決めリング4
a。
With such a configuration, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 5,
When the peripheral edge of the end plate 11 is tilted outward with respect to the rotating body 1, the contact position of the end plate 110 with the inner surface of the rotating body main body 1 changes along the convex surface X provided on the end plate 11. Therefore,
The above convex surface X and positioning IJ rings 4a, 4b (or 5
a, 5b) and the inner surface of the rotor body 1, the end plate 11, the rotor body 1 and the positioning ring 4
a.

41)、りa、5bは、一部に過大な応力が作用するこ
ともない。また、端板11の回転体本体1の内面への接
触位置が、凸面Xに沿って変化するので、端板11と、
回転体本体1との結合状態を一定にすることができる。
41), ri a and 5 b do not have excessive stress acting on any part thereof. In addition, since the contact position of the end plate 11 with the inner surface of the rotating body body 1 changes along the convex surface X, the end plate 11 and
The state of connection with the rotating body main body 1 can be kept constant.

したがって、回転体本体1の回転時に回転体本体1の内
部にガスを通流させた場合でも、上記結合部で安定した
シール効果を発揮させることができる。
Therefore, even when gas is passed through the interior of the rotor body 1 during rotation of the rotor body 1, a stable sealing effect can be exerted at the joint portion.

なお、本発明は、上記実施例に限定されるものではない
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

上記実施例では、端板11の軸方向位置を位置決めリン
グ4a、4b、5a、5bを用いて規制するようにした
が、たとえば第6図に示すように、回転体本体21の両
端部内周に、局方向に延びる溝22をそれぞれ設け、こ
の溝22に端板11の周面を嵌合させて端板11の軸方
向位置を規制するようにしてもよい。この場合には、溝
22の断面形状は、第6図に示すように、軸方向に沿っ
て円弧状に変化する溝でも、また角型の溝でもよい。
In the above embodiment, the axial position of the end plate 11 is regulated using the positioning rings 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, but as shown in FIG. , grooves 22 extending in the central direction may be provided, and the circumferential surface of the end plate 11 may be fitted into the grooves 22 to regulate the axial position of the end plate 11. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 22 may be a groove that changes in an arc shape along the axial direction, or a square groove, as shown in FIG.

溝22の断面形状を端板11の凸面Xに合致した円弧状
に形成すれば、端板11の周面と回転体本体21の内面
とは面接触となるので、より優れたシール性能を発揮さ
せることができる。
If the cross-sectional shape of the groove 22 is formed into an arc shape that matches the convex surface X of the end plate 11, the circumferential surface of the end plate 11 and the inner surface of the rotor main body 21 come into surface contact, so that better sealing performance can be achieved. can be done.

なお、回転体本体および端板は、前述したCFRPに限
らず、たとえばガラス繊維強化プラスチック、ケブラー
繊維強化プラスチックなど他の繊維強化複合材料や、金
属等で形成してもよい。
Note that the rotating body body and end plates are not limited to the above-mentioned CFRP, but may be formed of other fiber-reinforced composite materials such as glass fiber-reinforced plastic and Kevlar fiber-reinforced plastic, or metal.

また、回転体は、必ずしも回転軸を2本用いたちのでな
くとも、本発明を適用可能である。また、シール剤の有
無についても、特に限定されるものではない。
Further, the present invention can be applied to a rotating body that does not necessarily have two rotating shafts. Moreover, the presence or absence of a sealant is not particularly limited.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of drawings]

第1図は従来の竪型回転体の概略的な縦断面図、第2図
は同回転体が回転をした際の概略的な縦断面図、第3図
は第2図の一部を拡大して示す拡大断面図、第4図は本
発明の一実施例に係る竪型回転体の一部を示す概略的な
1!断面図、第5図は第4図の一部を拡大して示す拡大
断面図、第6図は本発明の他の実施例に係る竪型回転体
の一部を示す概略的な縦断面図である。 1.21・・・回転体本体、2,3.11・・・端板、
4a、4b、5a、5b−・・位置決めリング、6゜7
・・・回転軸、22・・・溝、P・・・空間、X・・・
凸部。 出願人代理人 弁理士 鈴江武彦 第1図 第2図 第3図 第41 第5m 第60
Figure 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a conventional vertical rotating body, Figure 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the rotary body as it rotates, and Figure 3 is an enlarged portion of Figure 2. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of a vertical rotating body according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a part of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a part of a vertical rotating body according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is. 1.21... Rotating body main body, 2, 3.11... End plate,
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b--Positioning ring, 6°7
...Rotating axis, 22...Groove, P...Space, X...
Convex part. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 41 5m 60

Claims (5)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] (1)円筒状の回転体本体と、この回転体本体の両端部
に圧入または嵌合によってそれぞれ挿着され、それぞれ
の中央部が互いに接近する方向に湾曲した形状の一対の
端板と、これら端板の少なくとも一方に前記回転体本体
と同軸的に結合された回転軸とを備えてなる竪型回転体
において、前記各端板の周面は、前記回転体本体の軸方
向に沿って円弧状に変化する凸面に形成されてなること
を特徴とする竪型回転体。
(1) A cylindrical rotating body, a pair of end plates that are inserted into both ends of the rotating body by press-fitting or fitting, and whose central portions are curved in a direction toward each other; In a vertical rotating body including a rotating shaft coaxially coupled to the rotating body main body on at least one of the end plates, the circumferential surface of each of the end plates is circular along the axial direction of the rotating body main body. A vertical rotating body characterized by being formed into a convex surface that changes in an arc shape.
(2) 前記回転体本体は、ra雑強化複合材料で形成
されてなることを特徴とする特許請求の範囲第1項記載
の竪型回転体。
(2) The vertical rotating body according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body main body is formed of a rough reinforced composite material.
(3) 前記端板は、繊維強化複合材料で形成されてな
ることを特徴とする特許請求の範囲第1項または第2項
のいずれか一項に記載の竪型回転体。
(3) The vertical rotating body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the end plate is made of a fiber-reinforced composite material.
(4)前記回転体本体は、その両端部の内周に前記各端
板の周縁と嵌合する溝を有し、かつ上記溝の内面は前記
回転体本体の軸方向に沿って円弧状に変化する形状に形
成されてなることを特徴とする特許請求の範囲第1項記
載の竪型回転体。
(4) The rotary body has grooves on the inner periphery of both ends thereof that fit with the peripheral edges of each end plate, and the inner surface of the groove has an arc shape along the axial direction of the rotary body. The vertical rotating body according to claim 1, characterized in that it is formed in a shape that changes.
(5)前記回転体本体と前記各端板とは、接着結合され
てなることを特徴とする特許請求の範囲第1項記載の竪
型回転体。
(5) The vertical rotating body according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body main body and each of the end plates are adhesively bonded.
JP8334384A 1984-04-25 1984-04-25 Vertical rotor Pending JPS60227010A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP8334384A JPS60227010A (en) 1984-04-25 1984-04-25 Vertical rotor

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP8334384A JPS60227010A (en) 1984-04-25 1984-04-25 Vertical rotor

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPS60227010A true JPS60227010A (en) 1985-11-12

Family

ID=13799789

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP8334384A Pending JPS60227010A (en) 1984-04-25 1984-04-25 Vertical rotor

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS60227010A (en)

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4802882A (en) Diaphragm disk assembly for torque transmitting joint and process for its fabrication
US8100403B2 (en) Hydrodynamic intershaft seal and assembly
US3941433A (en) Flexible bearing having low torque resistance
US4551116A (en) Drive shaft assembly
JPS5842832A (en) Uniform-velocity joint
JPH0868421A (en) Bushing bearing being used for travelling mechanism section of automobile and receiving load in radial direction and axial direction
US6581267B1 (en) Vibration canceler
US20020067871A1 (en) Squeeze film damping type bearing
US9945235B2 (en) Coning resistant rotor for a seal assembly
EP3513102B1 (en) Radially and axially self-aligning split seal ring
JPH10184717A (en) Tripod type constant velocity universal joint and its manufacture
US20080181719A1 (en) Rotating joint
JP2004239436A (en) Counter raceway joint with improved cage
US5562014A (en) Fly wheel arrangement
JPS60227010A (en) Vertical rotor
US5713246A (en) Method for fixing an energy-storing flywheel with pretension on a support and unit comprising an energy storing flywheel
US6044726A (en) Optimum rotationally symmetric shells for flywheel rotors
JP6594602B2 (en) Rotor, vacuum pump, and vacuum pump assembly method
JP6752945B2 (en) How to assemble the rotor, vacuum pump, and vacuum pump
US7140968B2 (en) Universal joint with a securing element
EP0791146B1 (en) A flywheel
GB2155539A (en) Improvements in or relating to flexible joints or bearings
JPH0289807A (en) Non-round bearing
JPH06183225A (en) Tire core holding elastic ring
JP3685847B2 (en) Power transmission shaft balancing method