Integrated oil mist lubricating system and method

Abstract

The invention discloses an integrated oil mist lubrication system and method, and belongs to the technical field of aero-engines. The integrated oil mist lubrication system comprises an oil mist generation device, a lubricating oil storage device and a cartridge receiver; the oil mist generating device is mounted at a first position outside the casing; the lubricating oil storage device is mounted at a second position outside the casing; the first position is different from the second position; a cold air mixing device is mounted on the oil mist generating device; the internal pipeline of the casing is communicated with the oil mist generating device, and the oil mist generating device is communicated with the lubricating oil storage device; and the outlet end of the oil mist generating device is communicated with the front bearing cavity and the rear bearing cavity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of aero-engine technology, and specifically relates to an integrated oil mist lubrication system and method. Background Technology

[0002] Aero engines operate at high speeds, placing heavy loads on their bearings. During operation, these bearings require lubrication and cooling to ensure stable engine operation. Currently, aero engines employ various bearing lubrication methods, including circulating lubrication and cooling systems, fuel-based lubrication and cooling technology, and oil mist lubrication technology. Circulating lubrication and cooling systems are complex, comprising an oil supply pump, return pump, cooling fan, oil filter, oil tank, oil mist separator, and supply and return oil lines. This system ensures that lubricating oil circulates continuously during engine operation, lubricating and cooling the bearings. Fuel-based lubrication and cooling technology involves directing a portion of the fuel into the bearings for lubrication, eliminating the need for an oil tank and pump, thus simplifying the engine structure. Oil mist lubrication technology uses an oil mist generator to atomize the lubricating oil into a mist before delivering it to the bearings for lubrication.

[0003] The circulating lubrication and cooling system has a complex structure, including an oil supply pump, a return oil pump, a cooling fan, an oil filter, an oil tank, an oil mist separator, and supply and return oil pipelines. It is large in size and heavy in weight. During use, it is necessary to monitor the oil pressure and whether there are impurities in the return oil. It is costly, and there are also certain problems with the oil sealing.

[0004] While fuel lubrication and cooling technology can reduce the number of parts and simplify engine structure, it also has the following problems: fuel has insufficient lubricity, with its lubricity, viscosity, and load-bearing capacity being far lower than that of dedicated aviation lubricating oil; fuel is corrosive, and bearings immersed in fuel for a long time will corrode, greatly reducing bearing life. Oil mist lubrication technology requires an oil mist generator and an oil reservoir. It is effective in lubricating bearings in low-temperature operating environments, but for bearings in high-temperature operating environments, providing lubrication without cooling will reduce bearing life. Furthermore, the oil mist generator and oil reservoir of this technology are large, external to the engine, and require connection to the engine via pipelines, resulting in complex structure and poor maintainability. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides an integrated oil mist lubrication system, including an oil mist generator, an oil storage device, and a housing; The oil mist generator is installed on the side wall of the casing; the lubricating oil storage device is installed at the bottom of the casing; The oil mist generator is equipped with a cold air mixing device. The internal piping of the casing is connected to the oil mist generator, and the oil mist generator is connected to the lubricating oil storage device. The outlet end of the oil mist generator is connected to the front bearing cavity and the rear bearing cavity of the engine. Furthermore, the oil mist generating device includes a generator housing, an oil mist nozzle, and an oil outlet nozzle; the generator housing is mounted on the side wall outside the casing; a mixing chamber is provided inside the generator housing; an atomizing nozzle is installed at one end of the mixing chamber, and an oil outlet nozzle is installed at the other end of the mixing chamber.

[0006] Furthermore, the oil mist generating device also includes a throttle and a compression spring; the throttle is installed inside the generator housing at the corresponding position at the inlet end of the atomizing nozzle; a compression spring is provided between the throttle and the atomizing nozzle.

[0007] Furthermore, the lubricating oil storage device includes a lubricating oil cup and an oil mist suction pipe; the lubricating oil cup is installed at the bottom of the casing, and the oil mist suction pipe is connected to the lubricating oil cup; the oil mist suction pipe is connected to the oil mist nozzle.

[0008] Furthermore, the cold air mixing device includes a mixer and a mixing nozzle; the mixer is connected to the inlet end of the casing; and the mixing nozzle is connected to the outlet end of the oil outlet.

[0009] Furthermore, the outlet end of the oil nozzle is connected to the front bearing cavity inside the casing.

[0010] Furthermore, the throttle includes a main flow path and a bypass flow path.

[0011] This application provides an integrated oil mist lubrication method for aero-engines, based on the aforementioned integrated oil mist lubrication system, comprising: Gas is drawn from the engine and enters the oil mist generator through internal piping in the casing; The lubricating oil in the lubricating oil storage device also enters the oil mist generator; Gas and lubricating oil form an oil mist in the oil mist generator; Oil mist is output from the oil mist generator to the front and rear bearing cavities of the engine.

[0012] Furthermore, the gas introduced from the engine enters the oil mist generating device through internal piping of the casing, including: When the engine condition is less than or equal to the preset condition, the gas enters the fuel nozzle through the main flow path and the bypass path on the throttle. When the engine condition is greater than the preset condition, the gas enters the fuel injector through the main flow path on the throttle.

[0013] Furthermore, the oil mist is output from the oil mist generator to the front bearing cavity and the rear bearing cavity of the engine, including:

[0014] An oil mist flows through the front bearing cavity to lubricate the front bearing. Another stream of oil mist enters the mixing nozzle, and the cold air from the engine inlet enters the mixer. The oil mist and cold air are then introduced into the rear bearing cavity to lubricate and cool the rear bearing.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following advantages: 1. This application integrates the oil mist generator, lubricating oil storage device, and cold air mixing device onto the engine casing, and adopts an internal piping design to reduce the number of external pipes. The integrated design not only reduces the number of external engine accessories, lightens the engine weight, and lowers the engine cost, but also makes the engine structure more compact, aesthetically pleasing, and lightweight. It eliminates the need for the connection between the oil mist generator, lubricating oil storage device, and the engine interface, greatly reducing the risk of oil leakage and improving the stability and safety of the system.

[0016] 2. This application introduces oil mist into the mixing nozzle leading to the rear bearing cavity, thereby accelerating the oil mist and spraying it into the rear bearing mist pipe. As the pressure of the accelerated oil mist decreases, the cold air in the mixer is injected into the rear bearing mist pipe under the action of the pressure difference, providing cooling air for the rear bearing.

[0017] 3. This application uses a variable cross-section design for the throttle, which can adjust the engine bleed air volume under different operating conditions, thereby achieving adaptive adjustment of bleed air pressure according to the engine status, so that the engine oil mist lubrication is always at the optimal working matching point.

[0018] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the application. The objectives and other advantages of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures pointed out in the description, claims and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the layout in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the oil mist generator in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0022] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the throttle device in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0023] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the cold air mixing device in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0024] In the diagram, 1. Generator housing; 2. Lubricating oil cup; 3. Oil mist suction pipe; 4. Casing; 5. Oil mist nozzle; 6. Throttling device; 7. Oil outlet nozzle; 8. Mixer; 9. Mixing nozzle; 10. Rear bearing mist pipe; 11. Compression spring. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] This application provides an integrated oil mist lubrication system suitable for low-cost, short-life turbojet engines used in unmanned aerial vehicles; Reference Figure 1 This includes an oil mist generator, an oil storage device, and a casing 4; The oil mist generator is installed on the side wall of the casing 4; the lubricating oil storage device is installed at the bottom of the casing 4. The oil mist generator is equipped with a cold air mixing device. The internal piping of the casing 4 is connected to the oil mist generator, and the oil mist generator is connected to the lubricating oil storage device. The outlet end of the oil mist generator is connected to the front bearing cavity of the engine. Figure 4 (at point b in the middle) and the rear bearing cavity ( Figure 4 (at point c in the diagram) is connected.

[0027] This application provides a compact, open-type oil mist lubrication system. The oil mist generator, oil storage device, and air-cooling mixing device are integrated and mounted on the engine casing 4 within the engine's maximum outline dimensions. The internal piping design reduces the number of external pipes. This integrated design not only reduces the number of external engine accessories, lightens the engine weight, and lowers engine costs, but also makes the engine structure more compact, aesthetically pleasing, and lightweight. Eliminating the connection between the oil mist generator, oil storage device, and engine interface significantly reduces the risk of oil leakage and improves system stability and safety. Furthermore, oil mist lubrication meets the lubrication requirements of the bearings without causing corrosion, protecting the bearings and extending engine life.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to Figure 2The oil mist generating device includes a generator housing 1, an oil mist nozzle 5, and an oil outlet nozzle 7; the generator housing 1 is mounted on the side wall outside the casing 4; the generator housing 1 has a mixing chamber inside. Figure 2 (at point a in the text); an atomizing nozzle is installed at one end of the mixing chamber, and an oil outlet 7 is installed at the other end of the mixing chamber.

[0029] The lubricating oil storage device includes a lubricating oil cup 2 and an oil mist suction pipe 3; the lubricating oil cup 2 is installed at the bottom of the casing 4, and the oil mist suction pipe 3 is connected to the lubricating oil cup 2; the oil mist suction pipe 3 is connected to the oil mist nozzle 5.

[0030] The open-type oil mist lubrication system eliminates the need for oil recovery. It only requires the introduction of gas from the engine to lubricate and cool the front and rear bearings. This eliminates the need for complex devices such as oil pumps and oil filters, greatly reducing the cost of bearing lubrication and lightening the engine weight.

[0031] refer to Figure 4 The cold air mixing device includes a mixer 8 and a mixing nozzle 9; the mixer 8 is connected to the inlet end of the casing 4; the mixing nozzle 9 is connected to the outlet end of the oil outlet 7. The mixing nozzle 9 is installed inside the mixer 8, and the output end of the mixer 8 is connected to the rear bearing mist pipe 10.

[0032] By introducing the oil mist leading to the rear bearing cavity into the mixing nozzle 9, the oil mist is further accelerated and sprayed into the rear bearing mist pipe 10. Due to the reduced pressure of the accelerated oil mist, the cold air in the mixer 8 is injected into the rear bearing mist pipe 10 under the action of pressure difference, providing cooling air for the rear bearing.

[0033] The outlet end of the oil nozzle 7 is connected to the front bearing cavity inside the casing 4.

[0034] After the engine starts working, high-temperature and high-pressure gas is introduced into the generator housing 1 through the internal pipe of the casing 4. Subsequently, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas passes through the throttle 6 and the minimum cross-section of the atomizer nozzle in sequence, where the gas velocity increases and the pressure decreases. Finally, the gas enters the mixing chamber in the generator housing 1, where the gas velocity decreases and the pressure increases. The mixing chamber is connected to the lubricating oil cup 2 through an internal pipe (i.e., the pressure in the lubricating oil cup 2 is the same as that in the mixing chamber). At this time, the pressure in the lubricating oil cup 2 is greater than the gas pressure at the outlet of the atomizer nozzle 5. Under the action of the pressure difference, the lubricating oil in the lubricating oil cup 2 is forced into the rear of the atomizer nozzle along the oil mist suction pipe 3. Figure 2(The green arrow pointing to the end of the lubricating oil) Then, the lubricating oil and gas enter the mixing chamber together. Under the shear force of the gas, the gas and lubricating oil mix and atomize in the mixing chamber to form oil mist. The oil mist is split into two paths through the oil outlet 7. One path of oil mist enters the front bearing cavity through the internal pipe of the casing 4 to lubricate the front bearing. Because the rear bearing temperature is high, it can draw in cold air from the inlet of the casing 4 when the engine is running. The other path of oil mist enters the mixing nozzle 9 from the oil outlet 7. Since the speed of the oil mist is greater than the speed of the cold air in the inner chamber of the mixer 8, the oil mist will eject the cold air in the chamber of the mixer 8 during the process of entering the rear bearing mist pipe 10 after being throttled and accelerated in the mixing nozzle 9. Then, the oil mist carrying the ejected cold air passes through the rear bearing mist pipe 10 and introduces the oil mist and cold air into the rear bearing cavity of the engine rear bearing.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the oil mist generating device further includes a throttle 6 and a compression spring 11; the throttle 6 is installed inside the generator housing 1 at a position corresponding to the inlet end of the atomizing nozzle; and a compression spring 11 is provided between the throttle 6 and the atomizing nozzle.

[0036] By adopting the structure of throttle 6 and compression spring 11, the oil mist consumption of the engine under high conditions can be reduced while ensuring sufficient lubrication, and the engine's single working run time can be increased within the limited capacity of the lubricating oil cup 2.

[0037] refer to Figure 3 The throttle 6 includes a main flow path and a bypass flow path.

[0038] The variable cross-section design allows for adjustment of the engine bleed air volume under different operating conditions, thereby achieving adaptive adjustment of bleed air pressure according to the engine status, ensuring that the engine's oil mist lubrication is always at the optimal working point.

[0039] Specifically, when the engine is under high pressure, the temperature and pressure of the gas introduced from the casing 4 are high, resulting in excessive pressure in the mixing chamber (which is connected to the lubricating oil cup 2), causing excessive lubricating oil consumption. Therefore, a throttle 6 and a compression spring 11 are installed at the inlet end of the oil mist nozzle 5. When the engine bleed air is normal, the airflow enters the oil mist nozzle 5 from the main flow path and bypass path of the throttle 6 without throttling. When the engine is under high pressure and the introduced gas pressure is too high, the airflow will push the throttle 6 to push the compression spring 11 toward the oil mist nozzle 5. When the pressure reaches a certain threshold, the compression spring 11 contacts the oil mist nozzle 5, the bypass path of the throttle 6 will close, and the main flow path of the throttle 6 will flow normally, thus reducing the flow area and the flow rate of the introduced gas. This can effectively control the lubricating oil consumption under high engine pressure, thereby achieving adaptive adjustment of the introduced gas pressure according to the engine condition, so that the oil mist lubrication of the engine is always at the optimal working matching point.

[0040] This application provides an integrated oil mist lubrication method for aircraft engines, including: Gas is introduced from the engine and enters the oil mist generator through the internal pipes of casing 4; The lubricating oil in the lubricating oil storage device also enters the oil mist generator; Gas and lubricating oil form an oil mist in the oil mist generator; Oil mist is output from the oil mist generator to the front and rear bearing cavities of the engine.

[0041] Gas introduced from the engine enters the oil mist generator through the internal piping of casing 4, including: When the engine condition is less than or equal to the preset condition, the gas enters the mist nozzle 5 through the main flow path and the bypass path on the throttle 6. When the engine condition is greater than the preset condition, the gas enters the mist nozzle 5 through the main flow path on the throttle 6.

[0042] Oil mist is output from the oil mist generator to the front and rear bearing cavities of the engine, including:

[0043] An oil mist flows through the front bearing cavity to lubricate the front bearing. Another oil mist enters the mixing nozzle 9, and the cold air from the engine inlet enters the mixer 8. The oil mist and cold air are then introduced into the rear bearing cavity to lubricate and cool the rear bearing.

[0044] Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. An integrated oil mist lubrication system characterized by, The oil mist generating device, the oil storage device and the gearbox (4) are included. The oil mist generating device is installed on the side wall of the gearbox (4); the oil storage device is installed on the bottom of the gearbox (4). The cold air mixing device is installed on the oil mist generating device. The internal pipeline of the gearbox (4) is communicated with the oil mist generating device, and the oil mist generating device is communicated with the oil storage device. The outlet end of the oil mist generating device is communicated with the front bearing cavity and the rear bearing cavity of the engine.

2. An integrated oil mist lubrication system according to claim 1, characterized in that The oil mist generating device includes a generator shell (1), a mist oil nozzle (5) and an oil outlet nozzle (7); the generator shell (1) is installed on the side wall outside the gearbox (4); the generator shell (1) is internally provided with a mixing cavity; one end of the mixing cavity is provided with the mist oil nozzle (5), and the other end of the mixing cavity is provided with the oil outlet nozzle (7).

3. An integrated oil mist lubrication system according to claim 2, wherein, The oil mist generating device further includes a throttle (6) and a compression spring (11); the throttle (6) is installed in the generator shell (1) and located at the position corresponding to the inlet end of the mist oil nozzle (5); the throttle (6) and the mist oil nozzle are provided with the compression spring (11) therebetween.

4. An integrated oil mist lubrication system according to claim 2, wherein, The oil storage device includes an oil cup (2) and an oil mist suction pipe (3); the oil cup (2) is installed on the bottom of the gearbox (4), and the oil cup (2) is communicated with the oil mist suction pipe (3); the oil mist suction pipe (3) is communicated with the mist oil nozzle (5).

5. An integrated oil mist lubrication system according to claim 2, wherein, The cold air mixing device includes a mixer (8) and a mixing nozzle (9); the mixer (8) is communicated with the inlet end of the gearbox (4); the mixing nozzle (9) is communicated with the outlet end of the oil outlet nozzle (7).

6. An integrated oil mist lubrication system according to claim 2, wherein, The outlet end of the oil outlet nozzle (7) is communicated with the front bearing cavity inside the gearbox (4).

7. An integrated oil mist lubrication system according to claim 3, wherein, The throttle (6) includes a main flow path and a side flow path.

8. An integrated aeroengine oil mist lubrication method, based on an integrated oil mist lubrication system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, It includes: Gas introduced from the engine enters the oil mist generating device through the internal pipeline of the gearbox (4); The oil in the oil storage device also enters the oil mist generating device; Gas and oil form oil mist in the oil mist generating device; Oil mist is output from the oil mist generating device to the front bearing cavity and the rear bearing cavity of the engine.

9. An integrated aircraft engine oil mist lubrication method as recited in claim 8, wherein, Gas introduced from the engine enters the oil mist generating device through the internal pipeline of the gearbox (4), including: When the engine state is less than or equal to the preset state, the gas enters the mist oil nozzle (5) through the main flow path and the side flow path of the throttle (6); When the engine state is greater than the preset state, the gas enters the mist oil nozzle (5) through the main flow path of the throttle (6).

10. An integrated aircraft engine oil mist lubrication method as recited in claim 8, wherein, Oil mist is output from the oil mist generating device to the front bearing cavity and the rear bearing cavity of the engine, including: One way of oil mist lubricates the front bearing by passing through the front bearing cavity; The other way of oil mist enters the mixing nozzle (9), and the cold air of the engine inlet enters the mixer (8); after the oil mist and the cold air pass through the rear bearing cavity, the oil mist lubricates and cools the rear bearing.

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