Torque transmission and measurement assembly for turbomachinery

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (1) for transmitting and measuring torque transmitted between a first component and a second component (16) of a turbomachine, said assembly comprising a pinion (2) comprising a first ring portion (5) and a second ring portion (6) joined together at a connection portion (7) of a transmission (4) carrying said pinion (2), said first and second ring portions (5, 6) extending axially from said connection portion (7) in opposite directions (D1, D2) according to an axis of rotation (X) of said pinion (2), at least one of said ring portions (5, 6) being rotationally guided by guide bearings (8, 9) of said pinion (2), said pinion further comprising an axially extending power shaft (10) comprising a first region (11) rotationally coupled to said first ring portion (5) of said pinion (2) and a second region (12) for rotationally coupling to said second component (16) of said turbomachine, said first region being axially spaced apart from said second region, and means for measuring the torque of said power shaft (10) being disposed at a third region of said power shaft (10) located between said first and second regions (11, 12), said measuring means comprising at least one tone wheel (20, 25) and acquisition means able to cooperate with said tone wheel (20, 25), characterized in that said measuring means comprise a first tone wheel (20) equipped with said third region of said power shaft (10) and a second tone wheel (25) equipped with said second ring portion (6) of said pinion (2) and positioned axially opposite said first tone wheel (20), said acquisition means being disposed axially opposite said first tone wheel (20) and said second tone wheel (25) and being configured to output a signal representative of the angular variation between said first tone wheel (20) and said second tone wheel (25).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a torque transmission and measurement assembly for a turbine, such as a turbojet or turboprop engine for an aircraft. Background Technology

[0002] Known examples of torque transmission and measurement assemblies are disclosed in document FR 3 032 525 A1.

[0003] Figure 1 This invention illustrates a prior art torque transmission and measurement assembly 1 manufactured by the applicant for equipping a turbine. The assembly includes a pinion 2 comprising: a radially outer cylindrical portion 3 having an annular transmission device 4 extending about an axis X; a first annular portion 5 and a second annular portion 6 extending axially relative to each other in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2, respectively; and a connecting portion 7 extending radially between the cylindrical portion 3 and the annular portions 5 and 6.

[0004] The terms radial, axial, and circumferential are defined relative to the X-axis.

[0005] The transmission 4 is used to cooperate with the complementary transmission of the first component of the turbine to form a torque input or corresponding output.

[0006] The connecting portion 2 is truncated conical and expands in the second direction D2. The first annular portion 5 includes a truncated conical portion 5a extending in the continuation of the connecting portion 7 and a radially inner cylindrical portion 5b including a rack 5c. The cylindrical portion 5b is rotatably guided relative to the fixed portion of the turbine by a first bearing 8. The second annular portion 6 includes a truncated conical portion 6a that narrows in the second direction D2 and a radially inner cylindrical portion 6b. The cylindrical portion 6b is rotatably guided relative to the fixed portion of the turbine by a second bearing 9. The two truncated conical portions 5a, 6a engage at their radially outer ends and engage at the radially inner ends of the connecting portion 7.

[0007] The pinion 2 is rotatably coupled to the drive shaft 10. Specifically, the drive shaft 10 extends along axis X inside the pinion 2 and includes a first end 11 and a second end 12. The first end 11 includes a rack 13 that cooperates with the complementary rack 5c of the pinion 2 to ensure its rotatable coupling. The second end 12 also includes a rack 14 that cooperates with the complementary rack 15 of the second component 16 of the turbine to form a torque output or corresponding input.

[0008] The drive shaft 10 is rotatably guided by a third bearing 17, which is formed by a ball bearing axially mounted between a shoulder or annular rib 18 of the drive shaft 10 and a nut 19 screwed onto the drive shaft 10.

[0009] The first tone wheel 20 is mounted on the power shaft 10. The first tone wheel 20 is formed by a ring including teeth 21, which are evenly spaced apart from each other on the circumference. The tone wheel 20 is rotatably connected to the power shaft 10.

[0010] Reference shaft 22 is mounted around the axial intermediate region of power shaft 10. Reference shaft 22 includes a first end 23 located on the side of the first end 11 of power shaft 10, and a second end 24 located on the side of the second end 12 of power shaft 10.

[0011] The first end 23 of the reference shaft 22 is fastened to the power shaft 10, for example, by shrink fitting or electroplating. The second end 24 of the reference shaft 22 includes a second tone wheel 25, which includes teeth 26 evenly spaced apart circumferentially, the teeth axially located at the teeth 21 of the first tone wheel 20. The teeth 26 of the second tone wheel 25 are circumferentially located between the teeth 21 of the first tone wheel 20, such as... Figure 2 As shown in the image.

[0012] The torque transmission and measurement assembly 1 further includes a acquisition member 27 for measuring torque, the acquisition member being axially opposed to the first tone wheel 20 and the second tone wheel 25 and configured to output a signal representing the angular change between the first tone wheel 20 and the second tone wheel 25.

[0013] As is known by itself, the acquisition component 27 can be formed by an electromagnetic sensor capable of generating alternating signals proportional to the number of revolutions of the tone wheels 20, 25 and the number of teeth 21, 26 that move relative to the sensor 27.

[0014] Sensor 27 includes a permanent magnet and a coil, the magnet generating a magnetic field in the coil. This magnetic field can be closed in air or in the metal of a rotating tone wheel in front of the sensor. Therefore, a change in flux occurs in the coil, and an alternating electromotive force (EMF) appears at its terminals.

[0015] The flux change induces an AC voltage in the coil, the frequency of which is equal to the passing frequency of the teeth 21 and 26 of each tone wheel 20 and 25.

[0016] The computational component allows the inference of the relative angular phase shift between the two tone wheels 20, 25 from the signal originating from sensor 27. This phase shift is caused by angular deformation induced by torque in the portion of the power shaft 10 located axially between the ends 23, 24 of the reference shaft 22.

[0017] This structure requires the assembly of a large number of parts. This assembly requires accurate calibration of the tone wheel of the reference shaft, and is therefore complex and expensive to implement.

[0018] In addition, friction is generated at the second end 24 of the reference shaft 22 around the power shaft 10, which causes hysteresis that affects the accuracy of torque measurement.

[0019] Furthermore, accurate torque measurement requires sufficient angular deformation of the drive shaft 10. For this purpose, it must be ensured that the axial deformation range of the drive shaft 10 is sufficient, which adjusts the axial dimension of the transmission assembly 1. However, it is necessary to reduce the axial size of the assembly 1. Summary of the Invention

[0020] The present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages in a simple, effective and inexpensive manner.

[0021] For this purpose, the present invention relates to an assembly for transmitting and measuring torque between a first and a second component of a turbine, the assembly comprising a pinion including a first annular portion and a second annular portion engaged at a connecting portion of a transmission mechanism carrying the pinion, the first and second annular portions extending axially from the connecting portion in opposite directions according to the rotation axis of the pinion, at least one of the annular portions being rotatably guided by a guide bearing of the pinion, the pinion further comprising an axially extending power shaft including a first region rotatably coupled to the first annular portion of the pinion and a region rotatably coupled to the turbine. The second region of the second component of the turbine, the first region being axially spaced from the second region, and a member for measuring the torque of the power shaft being disposed in a third region of the power shaft located between the first and second regions, the measuring member comprising at least one tone wheel and a acquisition member capable of cooperating with the tone wheel, characterized in that the measuring member comprises a first tone wheel equipped in the third region of the power shaft and a second tone wheel equipped in the second annular portion of the pinion and axially positioned relative to the first tone wheel, the acquisition member being axially positioned relative to the first tone wheel and the second tone wheel and configured to output a signal representing the angular change between the first tone wheel and the second tone wheel.

[0022] The terms axial, radial, and circumferential are defined relative to the aforementioned axis.

[0023] Compared to existing technology manufactured by the applicant, this structure allows for limitations on the number of parts and axial dimensions of the torque transmission and measurement assembly. Therefore, lengthy installation and calibration operations are avoided. This structure also allows for limiting or avoiding the aforementioned hysteresis.

[0024] The second annular portion of the pinion is not intended to transmit torque and therefore does not experience torque during operation. Therefore, this portion acts as a reference shaft.

[0025] The assembly formed by the pinion and the drive shaft can be manufactured using additive manufacturing.

[0026] The second tone wheel can be located at the free end of the second ring section.

[0027] The pinion and drive shaft can be manufactured as individual pieces.

[0028] Therefore, the first region of the power shaft forms a material bridge between the power shaft and the pinion.

[0029] The single-piece manufacturing can be performed through additive manufacturing or through permanent assembly.

[0030] The second tone wheel may be formed at one end of the cylindrical portion of the second annular portion of the pinion, the end being positioned relative to the engagement point between the second annular portion and the first annular portion of the pinion.

[0031] The guide bearing of the pinion can be mounted around the cylindrical portion to rotatably guide the cylindrical portion.

[0032] Signals originating from the acquisition component can be transmitted to a computing unit configured to determine the torque transmitted by the power shaft from the signals.

[0033] The first and second regions of the power shaft can be formed by the first axial end and the opposite second axial end of the power shaft.

[0034] The second region may include a rack for cooperation with a complementary rack of a second component of the turbine.

[0035] The first annular portion may include a cylindrical portion that is rotatably guided by a guide bearing of a pinion.

[0036] The first and / or second bearings may consist of roller bearings, ball bearings or needle roller bearings.

[0037] The drive shaft can be rotated and guided by a third bearing. The third bearing can be axially located between the second and third regions. The third bearing can be composed of roller bearings or ball bearings.

[0038] The third bearing can be axially inserted between the shoulder of the power shaft and the nut screwed onto the power shaft.

[0039] The first tone wheel and / or the second tone wheel may include teeth separated by recessed regions, one of the teeth and / or one of the recessed regions of the first tone wheel and / or the second tone wheel having a circumferential dimension different from the other teeth or other recessed regions of the corresponding tone wheel.

[0040] In other words, the tone wheel under consideration can have teeth or a single recessed area, thus allowing the angular position of the tone wheel to be determined.

[0041] The data acquisition component may include an electromagnetic sensor. The sensor may include a permanent magnet and a coil, wherein the magnet is capable of generating a magnetic field in the coil.

[0042] The first and / or second annular portions of the pinion may include a truncated conical portion and a cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion may be used to mount a bearing. The truncated conical portion of the annular portion may engage at its radially outer end. A connecting region connects the pinion's transmission mechanism to the first and second annular portions. The connecting region may be truncated conical.

[0043] The present invention also relates to turbines comprising assemblies of the aforementioned type.

[0044] The turbine can be a helicopter turbine engine, an aircraft turbojet engine, or a turboprop engine. Attached Figure Description

[0045] [ Figure 1 [A half-view of the axial section of a prior art torque transmission and measurement assembly manufactured by the applicant.]

[0046] [ Figure 2 ] is used for measurement Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the torque component of the power shaft of the assembly.

[0047] [ Figure 3 [Illustration 1] is a half-view of the axial section of the torque transmission assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0048] Figure 3 A torque transmission assembly for equipping a turbine is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention. This assembly includes a pinion 2 comprising: a radially outer cylindrical portion 3 having an annular transmission device 4 extending about an axis X; a first annular portion 5 and a second annular portion 6 extending axially opposite to each other in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2, respectively; and a connecting portion 7 extending radially between the cylindrical portion 3 and the annular portions 5 and 6. The annular transmission device 4 is carried by the connecting portion 7 and, in the illustrated example, is a straight transmission device. However, other types of transmission devices are possible, such as conical transmission devices.

[0049] The terms radial, axial, and circumferential are defined relative to the X-axis.

[0050] The transmission 4 is used to cooperate with the complementary transmission of the first component of the turbine to form a torque input or corresponding output.

[0051] The connecting portion 2 is truncated conical and expands in the second direction D2. The first annular portion 5 includes a truncated conical portion 5a extending in the continuation of the connecting portion 7 and a radially inner cylindrical portion 5b comprising a rack or, for example, a weld, shrink fit, etc. cylindrical portion 5b is rotatably guided relative to the fixed portion of the turbine by a first bearing 8. The second annular portion 6 includes a truncated conical portion 6a that narrows in the second direction D2 and a radially inner cylindrical portion 6b. The cylindrical portion 6b is rotatably guided relative to the fixed portion of the turbine by a second bearing 9. The two truncated conical portions 5a, 6a engage at their radially outer ends and engage at the radially inner ends of the connecting portion 7.

[0052] The pinion 2 is fastened to and integral with the drive shaft 10. Specifically, the drive shaft 10 extends along axis X inside the pinion 2 and includes a first end 11 and a second end 12. The first end 11 is connected to the corresponding end of the first annular portion 5 via a radial annular region 5d. The second end 12 includes a rack 14 that cooperates with the complementary rack 15 of the second component 16 of the turbine to form a torque output or corresponding input.

[0053] The drive shaft 10 is rotatably guided by a third bearing 17, which is formed by a ball bearing axially mounted between a shoulder or annular rib 18 of the drive shaft 10 and a nut 19 screwed onto the drive shaft 10.

[0054] The first tone wheel 20 is formed in the axial central region of the power shaft 10. The first tone wheel 20 includes teeth 21 that are evenly spaced apart from each other on the circumference. The tone wheel 20 is rotatably connected to the power shaft 10.

[0055] The free end of the second annular portion includes a second tone wheel 25, which includes teeth 26 evenly spaced apart on the circumference, the teeth being axially located at the teeth 21 of the first tone wheel 20. The teeth 26 of the second tone wheel 25 are located circumferentially between the teeth 21 of the first tone wheel 20.

[0056] Assembly 1 further includes a acquisition member 27, which is axially opposed to the first tone wheel 20 and the second tone wheel 25 and configured to output a signal representing the angular change between the first tone wheel 20 and the second tone wheel 25.

[0057] As is known by itself, the acquisition component 27 can be formed by an electromagnetic sensor capable of generating alternating signals proportional to the number of revolutions of the tone wheels 20, 25 and the number of teeth 21, 26 that move relative to the sensor 27.

[0058] Sensor 27 includes a permanent magnet and a coil, the magnet generating a magnetic field in the coil. This magnetic field can be closed in air or in the metal of a rotating tone wheel in front of the sensor. Therefore, a change in flux occurs in the coil, and an alternating electromotive force (EMF) appears at its terminals.

[0059] The flux change induces an AC voltage in the coil, the frequency of which is equal to the passing frequency of the teeth 21 and 26 of each tone wheel 20 and 25.

[0060] The computational component allows the inference of the relative angular phase shift between the two tone wheels 20, 25 from the signal originating from sensor 27. This phase shift is caused by angular deformation induced by torque in the portion of the power shaft 10 located axially between the ends 23, 24 of the reference shaft 22.

[0061] The first tone wheel 20 and / or the second tone wheel 25 may include at least one tooth or at least one recessed region (demarcated between two teeth), said at least one tooth or at least one recessed region having a circumferential dimension different from the other teeth or other recessed regions of the corresponding tone wheel. In other words, the tone wheels 20, 25 under consideration may have teeth or a single recessed region, thereby allowing the angular position of the tone wheel to be determined.

[0062] It should be noted that in this embodiment, assembly 1 no longer has a reference axis. Compared to the prior art manufactured by the applicant, this structure allows for limiting the number of parts and axial dimensions of the power transmission assembly 1. Therefore, lengthy installation and calibration operations are avoided. This structure also allows for limiting or avoiding the aforementioned hysteresis.

[0063] The second annular portion 6 of the pinion 2 is not intended to transmit torque and therefore does not experience torque during operation. Therefore, this portion acts as a reference shaft.

[0064] The pinion 2 and the drive shaft 10 can be manufactured using additive manufacturing so that the parts can be made in a single operation.

[0065] The pinion 2 and the drive shaft 10 can also be made by conventional machining of components, through processes such as welding used to assemble the two parts.

Claims

1. An assembly (1) for transmitting and measuring torque between a first component and a second component (16) of a turbine, the assembly comprising a pinion (2) having a first annular portion (5) and a second annular portion (6) joined together at a connecting portion (7) of a transmission device (4) carrying the pinion (2), the first annular portion and the second annular portion (5, 6) extending axially from the connecting portion (7) in opposite directions (D1, D2) according to the rotation axis (X) of the pinion (2), at least one of the annular portions (5, 6) being guided by a guide bearing (8) of the pinion (2). 9) Rotational guidance, wherein the pinion further includes an axially extending power shaft (10), the power shaft (10) including a first region (11) rotatably coupled to the first annular portion (5) of the pinion (2) and a second region (12) rotatably coupled to the second component (16) of the turbine, the first region and the second region being axially spaced apart, and a member for measuring the torque of the power shaft (10) is disposed at a third region of the power shaft (10) located between the first region and the second region (11, 12), the measuring member including at least one tone wheel (20, 25) and a collection member (27) capable of cooperating with the tone wheel (20, 25), characterized in that, The measuring component includes a first tone wheel (20) equipped with the third region of the power shaft (10) and a second tone wheel (25) equipped with the second annular portion (6) of the pinion (2) and axially positioned relative to the first tone wheel (20). The acquisition component (27) is axially positioned relative to the first tone wheel (20) and the second tone wheel (25) and is configured to output a signal representing the angular change between the first tone wheel (20) and the second tone wheel (25).

2. The assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pinion (2) and the power shaft (10) are manufactured as a single piece.

3. The assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The single-piece manufacturing is performed through additive manufacturing or through permanent assembly.

4. The assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The second tone wheel (25) is formed at one end of the cylindrical portion (6b) of the second annular portion (6) of the pinion (2), the end being positioned relative to the engagement point between the second annular portion (6) and the first annular portion (5) of the pinion (2).

5. The assembly (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The guide bearing (9) of the pinion (2) is mounted around the cylindrical portion (6b) to rotatably guide the cylindrical portion.

6. The assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal originating from the acquisition component (27) is transmitted to the computing component, which is configured to determine the torque transmitted by the power shaft (10) from the signal.

7. The assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first region and the second region of the power shaft (10) are formed by a first axial end and a second axial end opposite to the power shaft (10).

8. The assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second region (12) includes a rack (14) for cooperating with the complementary rack (15) of the second component (16) of the turbine.

9. The assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first annular portion (5) includes a cylindrical portion (5b) that is rotatably guided by the guide bearing (8) of the pinion (2).

10. A turbine comprising the assembly (1) according to claim 1.

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