TRANSFER DEVICE FOR A GEARBOX AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING A GEARBOX DESIGNED AS A PLANETARY GEARBOX

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transfer device for a gearbox and a method for mounting a gearbox designed as a planetary gearbox, in particular in the form of a planetary gearbox for an aircraft engine.

[0002] From WO 2013 / 151841 A1, it is known to decouple a low-pressure compressor of a gas turbine engine from a low-pressure turbine via a planetary gear set in differential configuration. The planetary gear set is also coupled to a blower. For example, the low-pressure turbine can be coupled to a planet carrier of the planetary gear set, the low-pressure compressor to a sun gear of the planetary gear set, and the blower to a ring gear of the planetary gear set.

[0003] In other aircraft engines, it is also known that one of the shafts of such a planetary gearbox is fixed to the housing, while the other two shafts of the planetary gearbox are coupled to shafts of the aircraft engine. Such planetary gearboxes are usually installed in aircraft engines without their own housing, which means that after assembly and before installation in an aircraft engine, they can become dirty, corroded, and damaged during storage and transport. Furthermore, installing such so-called open gearboxes in gas turbine engines and the like is characterized by a high degree of handling effort, which complicates the installation to an undesirable extent.

[0004] From US 2018 290 278 A1, a device for installing a ring of a planetary gear system is already known, comprising a sun gear, planet gears, a planet carrier and a ring gear.

[0005] WO 2014 197 080 A2 describes a method for assembling a turbofan engine and a turbofan engine, which may also include a planetary gear.

[0006] The present invention is based on the objective of demonstrating solutions which offer advantages over conventional approaches for handling a gearbox assembly and integrating it into a drive system.

[0007] This problem is solved according to a first aspect of the present invention by a transfer device for handling a gearbox for a drive unit, wherein this gearbox comprises a ring gear, planet gears, a planet carrier and a sun gear, with: a fixing device which can be coupled to the ring gear, the planet carrier and the sun gear, such that the gearbox can be transferred via the fixing device and a clamping mechanism which is integrated into the fixing device, wherein the gearbox can be brought into a clamped state via the clamping mechanism.

[0008] This makes it advantageously possible to combine a gearbox for an aircraft engine into an assembly and thereby bring the gears into a load state in which there is no backlash in the zones of mutual engagement.

[0009] According to the invention, the fixing device forms a housing with a first housing part and at least one second housing part connectable thereto, wherein at least the first housing part is provided with means for locking the gearbox in the first housing part in the axial direction of the first housing part and for rotationally fixed connection of at least one component of the gearbox to the first housing part, wherein the first housing part additionally has at least one mounting area over which the first housing part can be handled during assembly together with the gearbox by means of a lifting device.

[0010] According to the present invention, the fixing device thus forms an interim housing for the gearbox, in particular a planetary gearbox of an aircraft engine. This housing comprises a first housing part and at least one second housing part connectable to it. The fixing device can be implemented exclusively by a mechanism integrated into one of the two housing parts.

[0011] The housing effectively prevents contamination and corrosion of the gearbox during storage and transport. Furthermore, it minimizes damage to gearbox components before installation in a drive train, as the gearbox components are connected to and secured within the housing both axially and radially. This locking action prevents movement of the gearbox components relative to each other and to the housing, even if caused by vibrations. This is advantageous because relative movement between components, and between components and the housing, can cause undesirable impacts between component and housing surfaces, potentially leading to damage to the gearbox components.

[0012] Furthermore, the first housing part has at least one additional mounting area, allowing it to be handled during assembly together with the gearbox using a lifting device. This reduces assembly effort in a structurally simple way compared to open gearboxes that are mounted without a housing.

[0013] For the purposes of this document, the term "assembly area" includes, among other things, suitably designed outer surfaces of the first housing part to which gripping tools of a lifting device can be applied for moving the first housing part and the associated gearbox, or hook areas or eyelet-like areas provided on the outside of the first housing part into which tools of a lifting device for handling the first housing part and the gearbox can be attached. Furthermore, the assembly area may also include an inner surface of the first housing part or be at least partially formed by an inner surface.

[0014] The housing is preferably suitable for various gearbox designs and a wide variety of planetary gearbox designs. In particular, the housing can be used as a housing for planetary gearboxes for aircraft engines, such as steel engines, turboprop engines, open-rotor concepts, and the like.

[0015] The invention therefore also relates to a housing for a gearbox with a first housing part and at least one second housing part connectable thereto, characterized in that at least the first housing part is provided with means for locking the gearbox in the first housing part in the axial direction of the first housing part and for connecting at least one component of the gearbox to the first housing part in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the first housing part additionally has at least one assembly area over which the first housing part can be handled during assembly together with the gearbox by means of a lifting device.

[0016] Preferably, at least the first housing part includes axial contact surfaces for the components of the gearbox, and the gearbox can be easily locked in the housing.

[0017] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, at least one means for axially locking the transmission in the first housing part comprises a double-acting piston-cylinder unit. A piston or cylinder of the piston-cylinder unit is designed to be movable both translationally and rotationally relative to the cylinder or piston and has a clamping element connected to the cylinder or piston. The clamping element can be brought into operative contact with at least one of the components of the transmission, wherein the at least one component of the transmission can be pressed against one of the axial contact surfaces of the first housing part via the clamping element.

[0018] This provides a simple way to insert the gearbox into the first housing part and then, by appropriately actuating the piston-cylinder unit in the first housing part, to lock it in the axial direction to the desired extent without additional assembly effort.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the housing according to the present disclosure, at least one means for radially locking the transmission in the first housing part comprises a double-acting piston-cylinder assembly. A piston or a cylinder of the piston-cylinder assembly is designed to be rotatably movable relative to the cylinder or the piston. Furthermore, the piston-cylinder assembly has a clamping element connected to the cylinder or the piston, which can be brought into operative contact with a component of the transmission via a toothed connection and by means of which the transmission can be rotaryally preloaded against a retaining element of the first housing part.

[0020] This allows the gearbox to be locked in the first housing part in a radial direction with minimal assembly effort, in order to avoid damage to the gearbox components to the desired extent.

[0021] Additionally, the clamping element of the device for radially locking the gearbox in the first housing part can include a threaded section onto which a clamping nut can be screwed. This provides a simple way to axially lock the gearbox component, which can be brought into operative contact with the clamping element, in the first housing part via the clamping nut.

[0022] If at least one of the housing parts has at least one transparent area, then, for example, a serial number on the gearbox or an oil level in the housing can be easily seen.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the housing parts is designed with at least one closable opening and at least one seal is provided between the housing parts.

[0024] The interior of the housing according to the invention can then be easily filled with a medium providing corrosion protection for the gearbox, such as oil or the like, after the gearbox has been assembled. Additionally, the anti-corrosive medium can be drained from the gearbox via at least one opening before the housing is removed. The seal between the housing parts prevents unwanted leakage of the medium from the interior of the housing to the desired extent.

[0025] Alternatively, a sacrificial anode can be incorporated inside the housing components, for example, in the form of a coating on the inner surfaces of the housing components and / or a foam-like material and / or thin sheets and / or films for corrosion protection. Compared to filling the housing with an anti-corrosive medium, this housing design offers the advantage that a module comprising the housing and gearbox is then characterized by a lower overall weight.

[0026] Additionally, repeated mixing of the oil inside the housing is not necessary to avoid concentration differences in the oil that can occur during longer periods of inactivity.

[0027] Furthermore, no oil needs to be drained from the housing before disassembly, thus simplifying handling compared to corrosion protection using oil or similar substances. In addition, corrosion protection via a sacrificial anode is also a more environmentally friendly solution.

[0028] If the piston-cylinder units and the piston-cylinder device can be actuated hydraulically, pneumatically or electromechanically, the gearbox can be locked in the housing in a simple, essentially automated manner.

[0029] If the piston-cylinder units and the piston-cylinder device can be actuated in a coordinated manner via a common control unit, the locking of the gearbox in the housing can be achieved with minimal control effort.

[0030] In a further advantageous embodiment of the housing according to the present disclosure, at least the first housing part has receiving areas in which spring-damper units can be attached at one end to the first housing part and connected at the other end to a transport device. This allows vibrations acting on the housing and the gearbox during storage or transport to be dampened.

[0031] The stiffness of the spring-damper units is designed depending on the weight forces acting on the module consisting of the housing and the gearbox.

[0032] In further embodiments of the housing according to the invention, at least one sensor unit is included for determining temperature and / or humidity and / or acceleration acting on the gearbox and / or the location of the gearbox. In particular, a temperature and / or humidity sensor makes it possible to detect operating conditions that promote corrosion of the gearbox and to take appropriate countermeasures.

[0033] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method for mounting a gearbox designed as a planetary gearbox, which is arranged in a housing described in more detail above, is provided. This method relates, among other things, to a procedure for mounting the gearbox in a preferably vertically arranged aircraft engine. According to the invention, the gearbox is picked up together with the fixing device and inserted into the aircraft engine by manipulating the fixing device.

[0034] To install the gearbox in the aircraft engine, the second housing part is first removed from the first housing part, and the clamping nut is removed from the clamping device of the means for radially locking the gearbox in the first housing part. Following this, the means for radially locking the gearbox in the first housing part is removed. Subsequently, a component of the gearbox, designed as a rotatable shaft, is brought into operative contact with a shaft of the aircraft engine, preferably by vertically inserting the gearbox with the first housing part.

[0035] In an advantageous variant of the method according to the invention, the first housing part is removed from the gearbox when the gearbox is arranged in the aircraft engine and the axial locking of the gearbox in the first housing part is released.

[0036] The present invention relates to the assembly of the gear unit of a drive transmission into a single, storable and transportable unit. A mounting structure for the drive transmission is provided, onto which the drive transmission can be placed and secured. Furthermore, the drive transmission is secured in such a way that it is clamped, thereby eliminating backlash in the tooth engagement areas, so that in the event of any impacts, the gear flanks are not subjected to significant shock loads.

[0037] The arrangement provided for accommodating the engine gearbox is preferably designed to function as a housing. This housing function isolates the engine gearbox from its environment. The housing function can be used to enclose the engine gearbox in a protective atmosphere and / or in a viscous medium, particularly oil. The arrangement for accommodating the engine gearbox is preferably multi-part and preferably includes an assembly that acts as a handling structure, enabling the engine gearbox to be transferred into an installation position and released after insertion into an engine. The arrangement also offers the possibility of initially mounting the engine gearbox, or at least a gear assembly thereof, in a first position or orientation that differs from the position or orientation in which the gearbox is inserted into the engine.All components of the assembly are held together as a group by the arrangement and moved into the installation position together. The arrangement can also be designed to serve as a disassembly aid, i.e., to be used for removing the gearbox from an engine. This makes it possible to lift the gearbox out of the engine as a unit and handle it further in a fixed position.

[0038] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a transport box is provided for the drive unit, which is mounted in a preferably housing-like fixing arrangement. This transport box allows the drive unit, including the fixing arrangement, to be flexibly supported during transport. For this purpose, bearing or suspension structures are integrated into the transport box, enabling the drive unit to move relative to the transport box in at least one spatial direction. Preferably, the drive unit is flexibly mounted in the transport box in the vertical direction and also flexibly mounted or suspended horizontally in two mutually transverse spatial directions.

[0039] The drive gearbox can also be mounted in the transport box in such a way that it can pivot against a restoring force for a limited angular range about at least one, preferably three, axes running transversely to each other.

[0040] The transfer unit formed including the transport box may further include sensors or detection and recording devices by which any accelerations of the engine gearbox during storage, transport or provision are detected and documented.

[0041] The fixing arrangement for fixing the drive gearbox in a clamped state can form a housing structure or be inserted into a preferably multi-part housing.

[0042] The invention further relates to a housing for a gearbox with a first housing part and at least one second housing part connectable thereto, characterized in that at least the first housing part is provided with means for locking the gearbox in the first housing part in the axial direction of the first housing part and for connecting at least one component of the gearbox to the first housing part in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein at least one clamping element is provided which can be brought into operative connection with a component of the gearbox via a toothed connection and by means of which the gearbox can be rotationally preloaded against a holding element of the first housing part and / or against the first housing part.

[0043] The aforementioned advantages apply analogously, provided it is technically feasible. Further training courses as described above can be conducted accordingly, provided it is technically feasible.

[0044] For the purposes of the invention, a housing can be understood and described as a transfer device. A transfer device, for the purposes of the invention, can comprise a housing.

[0045] For the purposes of the invention, a clamping element can be understood and described as a fixing device.

[0046] The first housing part can be designed or comprise a fixing device or a clamping element in accordance with the invention.

[0047] Exemplary embodiments are now described with reference to the figures. They show: Figure 1: A longitudinal sectional view illustrating the structure of a gas turbine engine comprising an engine gearbox; Figure 2: An enlarged partial longitudinal sectional view of an upstream section of a gas turbine engine; Figure 3: A simplified stand-alone representation of a gearbox; Figure 4: A simplified three-dimensional sectional view of a housing acting as a fixing structure and a planetary gearbox arranged therein; Figure 5: An enlarged view of a gearbox in Figure 4 more precisely marked area V; Figure 6 an enlarged view of one in Figure 4 more precisely marked area VI; Figure 7 an enlarged view of one in Figure 6more precisely marked area VII; Figures 8a to 8c: Various simplified and schematic views of the housing, which functions as a fixing and transfer structure, and of the planetary gear during assembly of the gearbox into a vertically arranged aircraft engine; Figure 9: A perspective view of a transfer arrangement for an engine gearbox, comprising a transport box for the transfer housing; Figure 10: A side view of the transport box after Figure 9, to further illustrate the flexible mounting of the engine gearbox, which can be transferred in a clamped and enclosed state using this transport box; Figure 11 a perspective view of the arrangement functioning as a housing, for clamping the engine gearbox and inserting it into an engine; Figure 12a a sectional view, to illustrate the construction of the fixing device, which can also function as a housing; Figure 12 a detailed view, to illustrate the construction of the clamping mechanism for twisting the sun gear; Figure 13 a top view of the fixing device according to Figure 12 , to illustrate the position of the extending structures; Figure 14 a sectional view to illustrate the transfer unit formed including the enclosed drive gearbox, the transfer housing and the transport box; Figure 15a a perspective view of the transport box according to Figure 9with the engine gearbox included and fully enclosed; Figure 15 top view of the transport box according to Figure 15a with the enclosed and internally tensioned drive transmission; Figure 16 a schematic representation of the transfer arrangement according to the invention to explain further conceptual features thereof.

[0048] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a gas turbine engine 10 with a main axis of rotation 9. The engine 10 includes an air inlet 12 and a thrust fan 23, which generates two airflows: a core airflow A and a bypass airflow B. The gas turbine engine 10 includes a core 11, which receives the core airflow A. The engine core 11 comprises, in axial flow order, a low-pressure compressor 14, a high-pressure compressor 15, a combustion unit 16, a high-pressure turbine 17, a low-pressure turbine 19, and a core thrust nozzle 20. An engine nacelle 21 surrounds the gas turbine engine 10 and defines a bypass channel 22 and a bypass thrust nozzle 18. The bypass airflow B flows through the bypass channel 22. The fan 23 is attached to the low-pressure turbine 19 via a shaft 26 and an epicycloidal gear 30 and is driven by it. The shaft 26 is also referred to as the core shaft.

[0049] In operation, the core airflow A is accelerated and compressed by the low-pressure compressor 14 and directed into the high-pressure compressor 15, where further compression takes place. The compressed air expelled from the high-pressure compressor 15 is directed into the combustion chamber 16, where it is mixed with fuel and the mixture is combusted. The resulting hot combustion products then propagate through the high-pressure and low-pressure turbines 17 and 19, driving them, before being expelled through the nozzle 20 to provide thrust. The high-pressure turbine 17 drives the high-pressure compressor 15 via a suitable connecting shaft 27, also known as the core shaft. The blower 23 generally provides the main thrust. The epicycloidal gear 30 is a reduction gear.

[0050] An exemplary arrangement for a geared fan gas turbine engine 10 is described in Figure 2 shown. The low-pressure turbine 19 (see Figure 1 The shaft 26 drives the shaft, which is coupled to a sun gear 28 of the epicycloidal gear arrangement 30. Several planet gears 32, coupled to one another by a planet carrier 34, are located radially outside the sun gear 28 and mesh with it. Each planet gear is rotatably mounted on support elements 29 that are fixed to the planet carrier 34. The planet carrier 34 restricts the planet gears 32 to rotating synchronously around the sun gear 28, while allowing each planet gear 32 to rotate about its own axis on the support elements 29. The planet carrier 34 is coupled to the blower 23 via linkages 36 to drive its rotation about the drive axis 9. An outer gear or ring gear 38, which is coupled to a stationary support structure 24 via linkage 40, is located radially outside the planet gears 32 and meshes with them.

[0051] It is noted that the terms "low-pressure turbine" and "low-pressure compressor," as used herein, may be understood to mean the lowest-pressure turbine stage and the lowest-pressure compressor stage, respectively (i.e., excluding the blower 23), and / or the turbine and compressor stages connected by the lowest-rotating connecting shaft 26 in the engine (i.e., excluding the gearbox output shaft driving the blower 23). In some publications, the "low-pressure turbine" and "low-pressure compressor" referred to herein may alternatively be known as the "intermediate-pressure turbine" and "intermediate-pressure compressor." When using such alternative nomenclature, the blower 23 may be described as a first compression stage or the lowest-pressure compression stage.

[0052] The epicycloidal gear 30 is used in Figure 3 A more detailed example is shown. The sun gear 28, the planet gears 32, and the ring gear 38 each have teeth around their periphery for meshing with the other gears. However, for the sake of clarity, only exemplary sections of the teeth are shown in Fig. 3 The illustration shows four planet gears 32. Although four planet gears 32 are shown, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that more or fewer planet gears 32 may be provided within the scope of protection of the claimed invention. Practical applications of an epicycloidal gear 30 generally include at least three planet gears 32.

[0053] The Figures 2 and 3The epicycloidal gear 30 shown as an example is a planetary gear in which the planet carrier 34 is coupled to an output shaft via linkage 36, with the ring gear 38 being fixed. However, any other suitable type of epicycloidal gear 30 can be used. As another example, the epicycloidal gear 30 can be a star arrangement in which the planet carrier 34 is held fixed, while the ring gear (or outer gear) 38 is allowed to rotate. In such an arrangement, the blower 23 is driven by the ring gear 38. As a further alternative example, the gear 30 can be a differential gear in which both the ring gear 38 and the planet carrier 34 are allowed to rotate.

[0054] It goes without saying that the ones in the Figures 2 and 3The arrangement shown is merely exemplary, and various alternatives are within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Any suitable arrangement for positioning the gearbox 30 in the drive unit 10 and / or for connecting the gearbox 30 to the drive unit 10 can be used, but only as an example. As a further example, the connections (e.g., the linkages 36, 40 in the example of) can be used. Figure 2) between the gearbox 30 and other parts of the engine 10 (such as the input shaft 26, the output shaft, and the fixed structure 24) exhibit a certain degree of stiffness or flexibility. As another example, any suitable arrangement of the bearings between rotating and stationary parts of the engine (for example, between the input and output shafts of the gearbox 30 and the fixed structures, such as the gearbox housing) can be used, and the disclosure is not limited to the exemplary arrangement of Figure 2 limited. For example, it is readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that the arrangement of the output and support rods and bearing positions in a star arrangement (described above) of the gearbox 30 generally differs from those exemplified in Figure 2 would be shown to differ.

[0055] Accordingly, the present disclosure extends to a gas turbine engine with any arrangement of gear types (for example, star or planetary), support structures, input and output shaft arrangement, and bearing positions. Optionally, the gearbox can drive auxiliary and / or alternative components (e.g., the intermediate-pressure compressor and / or a secondary compressor).

[0056] Other gas turbine engines to which the present disclosure may apply may have alternative configurations. For example, such engines may have an alternative number of compressors and / or turbines and / or an alternative number of connecting shafts. As another example, the [reference to be added] Fig. 1The gas turbine engine shown features a split-flow nozzle 20, 22, meaning that the flow through the bypass channel 22 has its own nozzle, separate from and radially outside the engine core nozzle 20. However, this is not limiting, and any aspect of the present disclosure may also apply to engines in which the flow through the bypass channel 22 and the flow through the core 11 are mixed or combined upstream of (or before) a single nozzle, which may be referred to as a mixed-flow nozzle. One or both nozzles (whether mixed-flow or split-flow) may have a fixed or variable area. Although the described example relates to a turbofan engine, the disclosure may, for example, be applied to any type of gas turbine engine, such as an open-rotor engine (where the fan stage is not surrounded by an engine nacelle) or a turboprop engine.

[0057] The geometry of the gas turbine engine 10 and its components is / are defined by a conventional axis system, which has an axial direction (aligned with the axis of rotation 9), a radial direction (in the direction from bottom to top in Figure 1 ) and a circumferential direction (perpendicular to the view in Figure 1 ) includes. The axial, radial, and circumferential directions are perpendicular to each other.

[0058] Figure 4Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional sectional view of a housing 40 in which the gearbox 30 is arranged before assembly into the gas turbine engine 10. The housing 40 comprises a first housing part 41 and a second housing part 42, which adjoin each other in the area of ​​a parting plane 43 and are tightly connected to each other. The two housing parts 41 and 42 may be firmly connected to each other by means of screw connections, clamping devices, or the like, and a sealing device may be provided in the area of ​​the parting plane 43.

[0059] The first housing part 41 is provided with means 70 and 71, by means of which the gear 30 can be locked in the first housing part 41 in the axial direction x of the housing part 41. Furthermore, the housing part 41 also includes means 72, 47 for connecting the sun gear 28, the planet gears 32, the planet carrier 34 and the ring gear 38 to the first housing part 41 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0060] The means 70 and 71 each comprise hydraulically actuated double-acting piston-cylinder units 44 and 45, which have essentially the same design. Therefore, for the sake of clarity, the design and function of the piston-cylinder units 44 and 45 will be explained in more detail in the following description only with reference to piston-cylinder unit 44.

[0061] The piston-cylinder unit 44 comprises a piston 44A, which is partially arranged within a cylinder 44B. The piston 44A is designed to be movable both translationally and rotationally relative to the cylinder 44B. Additionally, the piston-cylinder unit 44 includes a clamping element 44C connected to the piston 44A.

[0062] In the Figure 4 and Figure 5In the illustrated operating state of the piston-cylinder unit 44, the clamping element 44C rests with its underside 44C1 against a top surface 49 of a flange 50 connected to the ring gear 38. The clamping element 44C is pressed against the top surface 49 of the flange 50 by the piston 44A. Additionally, the flange 50 rests with its underside 51 against an axial contact surface 52 of the first housing part 41. Thus, the ring gear 38 of the transmission 30 is axially locked in the first housing part 41 by the piston-cylinder unit 44.

[0063] The flange 50 comprises several circumferentially spaced bores 53, through which the ring gear 38 can be coupled to the support structure 24 via corresponding screw connections in a rotationally fixed manner. In this case, the bores 53 of the flange 50 are used to connect the ring gear 38 to the first housing part 41 in a rotationally fixed manner. For this purpose, the means 47 is designed as a bolt engaging in a bore 53, which is fixedly connected to the first housing part 41.

[0064] To release the axial locking of the ring gear 38 with the first housing part 41, the piston 44A is first moved translationally relative to the top surface 49 of the flange 50, so that the distance between the bottom surface 44C1 of the clamping element 44C and the top surface 49 of the flange 50 increases. The piston 44A is then rotated relative to the cylinder 44B until there is no longer any overlap between the clamping element 44C and the flange 50.

[0065] To axially lock the gearbox 30 on the first housing part 41, the piston-cylinder unit 44 is first rotaryally actuated from the latter operating state, and then the piston 44A is adjusted axially or translationally until the clamping element 44C reaches its position. Figure 4 exhibits the operating state shown. For this purpose, the gearbox 30 is first inserted into the first housing part 41 so that the flange 50 rests with its underside 51 against the axial contact surface 52.

[0066] Furthermore, the means 71 for axially locking the planet carrier 34 comprises a piston 45A and a cylinder 45B. Additionally, the piston 45A is operatively connected to a clamping element 45C, which is located in the Fig. 4 or Fig. 5The depicted circumference rests against an axial surface 34A of the planet carrier 34 and presses it against another axial contact surface 54 of the first housing part 41. This also locks the planet carrier 34 axially in the first housing part 41.

[0067] Furthermore, it shows Figure 6 An enlarged view of area VI, more precisely characterized in Figure 4, which includes the means 72 for radially locking the transmission 30 in the first housing part 41. The means 72 is also designed with a hydraulically actuated double-acting piston-cylinder device 46, comprising a piston 46A and a cylinder 46B. The piston 46A is designed to be movable both translationally and rotationally relative to the cylinder 46B. The piston 46A is located in the Fig. 7as further described, with an additional clamping element 46C in operative connection. The clamping element 46C engages in a radially internal tooth profile 28A with a correspondingly adapted toothing 46C1, whereby the clamping element 46C and the sun gear 28 are rotationally fixed to each other.

[0068] A ring element 55 is slid onto the piston 46A of the piston-cylinder assembly 46. Its radial inner diameter rests against an outer surface 46A1 of the piston 46A. In the region of its radial outer diameter, the ring element 55 engages in an annular groove 56 of the clamping element 46C. For assembly, the ring element 55 is designed as a spring washer, which can be inserted into the annular groove 56 of the clamping element 46C by radial compression. The piston 46A is then pushed axially through the inner opening of the ring element 55, and a nut 57 is screwed onto the piston 46A. The nut 57 exerts an axial force on the ring element 55. This axial force causes the ring element 55 to deform, increasing its outer diameter and decreasing its inner diameter.The deformation of the ring element 55 creates a force-fit connection between the piston 46A and the clamping element 46C.

[0069] Following this, piston 46A is rotated relative to cylinder 46B. The rotational movement of piston 46A is transmitted via the ring element 55 to the clamping element 46C. The rotational movement of the clamping element 46C, in turn, causes a rotational movement of the sun gear 28, which is meshed with the planet gears 32. Further rotation of the sun gear 28 causes the teeth 58 of the sun gear 28 to come into contact with the tooth flanks of teeth 59 of the planet gears 32. As soon as the tooth flanks of teeth 58 of the sun gear 28 and teeth 59 of the planet gears 32 are in contact, the planet gears 32 also begin to rotate. The planet gears 32 continue to rotate until the tooth flanks of teeth 59 come into contact with the tooth flanks of teeth 60 of the ring gear 38.If the pressure in cylinder 46B rises to a predefined pressure value, it is detected that the sun gear 28 will no longer rotate and the entire gearbox is radially preloaded. In this operating state, the gearbox 30 is radially locked in the first housing part 41.

[0070] Following this, another one will be added in Figure 6 The nut 61 shown in more detail is screwed onto a threaded area 46C2 of the clamping element 46C until the nut 61 with a bottom surface 62 rests against an axial side surface 63 of the sun gear 28.

[0071] When the nut 61 is screwed onto the clamping element 46C with a corresponding torque, the sun gear 28 is pressed with a further side surface 64 opposite the axial side surface 63 against an additional axial contact surface 65 of the first housing part 41, thereby also locking the sun gear 28 in the axial direction in the first housing part 41.

[0072] Figure 8a Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional sectional view of the housing 40 and the gearbox 30 arranged therein. The gearbox 30 is secured in the first housing part 41 by means 44 to 47 in both the axial and radial directions as described above. The module comprising the housing 40 and the gearbox 30 is shown in its storage and transport position, in which the first housing part 41 is the lower housing part and the second housing part 42 is the upper housing part. To minimize the loads resulting from the module's own weight during transport, the module is operatively connected to a transport box 68 containing the module via spring-damper units 67.

[0073] For the installation of the gearbox 30 in the gas turbine engine 10, the module is removed from the transport box 68. For this purpose, the functional connection between the first housing part 41 and the spring-damper units 67 is disconnected. The module is then rotated 180° into its installation position, which is in Fig. 8bAs shown, the first housing part 41 has mounting areas (not shown) for assembly, through which the module can be inserted vertically into the gas turbine engine 10 using conventional actuating units or lifting devices. Before the gearbox 30 is inserted vertically into the gas turbine engine 10, the second housing part 42 is first removed from the first housing part 41. Subsequently, the piston-cylinder assembly 46 is rotaryally actuated, and the radial preload of the gearbox 30 is released when the nut 61 is loosened from the clamping element 46C. Following this, the nut 57 is loosened from the piston 46A, and the piston 46A is disengaged from the ring element 55. In this operating state, the clamping element 46C can be removed axially from the sun gear 28.

[0074] The operating state of the gearbox 30 and the housing 40 described last is in Figure 8cAs shown, in this operating state of the gearbox 30 and the housing 40, the gearbox 30, together with the first housing part 41, is inserted vertically from above into the gas turbine engine 10, which is also in a vertical position, until the sun gear 28 with its tooth profile 28A engages with a tooth profile of the shaft 26. To disassemble the first housing part 41 from the gearbox 30, the piston-cylinder units 44 and 45 are hydraulically actuated by a common hydraulic control unit, which also actuates the piston-cylinder assembly 46. Actuation by the control unit releases the clamping elements 44C and 45C from the flange 50 and the planet carrier 34, respectively, thereby releasing the axial locking of the ring gear 38 and the planet carrier 34 in the first housing part 41. Subsequently, the first housing part 41 is lifted upwards from the gearbox 30 and the gearbox 30 is further connected to the gas turbine engine 10.

[0075] The piston-cylinder units 44, 45 and the piston-cylinder assembly 46 are actuated via an external hydraulic control unit, as briefly described above. The control lines of the piston-cylinder units 44, 45 and the piston-cylinder assembly 46 are designed such that the sun gear 28, the ring gear 38, and the planet carrier 34 can be locked and released independently of one another. Only two control lines are required for each of the piston-cylinder units 44, 45 and the piston-cylinder assembly 46, which are connected to the external control unit. This results in a total of only six control lines being required, and the locking mechanism is simple in design with short setup times.

[0076] The representation according Figure 9Figure 1 shows a transport box 68 according to the invention. With respect to its outer edges, this box forms a cuboid-like structure which can be placed on a surface using foot sections 68a, creating a gap between the boxes. The transport box 68 can be designed, in particular, such that it can be easily picked up by a material handling device. It can also provide gripping structures that allow for alternative picking. Centering elements 68b can be provided in the upper region of the transport box 68, which make it possible to stack correspondingly compatible transport boxes vertically. In this case, the complementary geometries of the foot sections 68a are centered on the centering elements 68b.

[0077] The transport box 68 includes a carriage 90. This carriage 90 is guided vertically on a frame structure 68c of the transport box 68. The carriage 90 is spring-loaded vertically by spring mechanisms 67 and is forced by these into a central position from which it can move downwards and upwards. The spring mechanism 67 is designed such that this central position is assumed under a load corresponding to the load exerted by the unit consisting of the drive gear and housing / fixing device to be inserted into the carriage. The carriage 90 is guided by linear guides. The downward vertical travel is limited by a flexible, in particular elastomeric, end stop 68d. The guidance of the carriage 90 is realized in conjunction with the vertical corner posts of the frame structure 68c. The guidance is implemented as a linear guide and includes rollers 90a.The spring mechanism comprises articulated arms 90b, which are connected to the carriage 90 and are supported against the frame structure 68c via rollers. The articulated arms are spring-loaded. The characteristic curve of the suspension is progressively increasing, so that near the vertical end positions significantly increased support forces support the carriage 90 against the frame structure 68.

[0078] The vertically displaceable slide 90 incorporates a lateral guide mechanism 91. This provides a support structure onto which an insert 92 (see...) is placed. Fig. 15a ) can be attached. This insert 92 is movable within the slide 90 in the horizontal direction and in two mutually perpendicular spatial directions within a limited range. The lateral guide mechanism 91 positions the insert 92 in a central position by means of a spring / damper mechanism. The insert 92 can be designed as a box-like structure and is equipped with a cover 92a (see ). Fig. 15a) lockable. The end positions are also defined by flexible end stops, in particular elastomeric structures.

[0079] The representation according Figure 10 The transport arrangement is shown in a state where the carriage 90 is essentially in a vertical center position. This, in conjunction with the Figures 4 to 8c The housing 40 described according to the invention is preferably inserted into the slide 90 in such a way that the second housing part 42 is located in the lower area of ​​the slide 90 and acts as an oil pan.

[0080] The representation according Figure 11Figure 1 shows the assembly designed to fix the gearbox components in a clamped state, which also serves as an assembly aid for inserting the gearbox into an engine or for removing the gearbox from the engine. This assembly comprises a housing-like structure, which here forms the first housing part 41. The planet gears 32 (see Figure 3) are mounted via this assembly. Fig. 3 The connection between the fixed ring gear 38 and the sun gear 28, which is subjected to a torque relative to the ring gear 38 and is also fixed in this state, is held without backlash. The fixing device formed by this assembly can constitute the first housing part 41. Here, it is designed in the form of a "spider" that is supported by the radially projecting legs 105 and carries the gear on its underside.

[0081] The assembly according to Figure 11This assembly comprises sections 100 that can be rigidly coupled to the ring gear of the transmission. Furthermore, this assembly comprises arm sections 101 that can be coupled to the insert 92 and / or the second, preferably shell-shaped, housing part 42. Regarding this assembly, Figure 11 The gearbox can be lifted out of the transport arrangement in a tensioned state and transferred to the installation position in an engine.

[0082] Further details of the assembly functioning as a fixing device can be seen in the illustrations according to the Figures 12a, 12b and 13The components of the gearbox are axially connected to this assembly and clamped together. The ring gear is gripped by the arm sections 100. The journals 101 engage in the geometries of the planet carrier. The core journal 102 engages with an internal toothing of the sun gear via an external toothing formed on it. The core journal 102 is subjected to a torque around its longitudinal axis by a clamping mechanism 103, thereby forcing the teeth of the planet gears into a backlash-free contact with the internal toothing of the ring gear and the sun gear. The gearbox, thus held in the clamping device, is inserted into the second gearbox housing 42. This assembly is then placed into the insert 92. The insert 92 can already be in the slide 90, or it can be inserted into the slide 90 already loaded.

[0083] The clamping mechanism 103 is preferably designed as a smooth-running adjusting mechanism in which a positioning force is converted into a torsional moment by a rolling element mechanism, e.g., a ball screw, or a wedge surface mechanism. In the present case, a fine-thread screw 103a, coaxial with the axis of the pin 102, is twisted under torque monitoring. The axial force generated by this screw 103a is converted into a torsional moment by a rolling element mechanism. This torsional moment then acts on the sun gear 28 via the pin 102. The gear components clamped against each other can preferably be frictionally locked in the clamping device in the clamped state, so that this clamped state generally persists even after the screw generating the axial force is loosened, and the mechanism used for torque generation is not permanently loaded or would be relaxed by settling effects.

[0084] The representations according to the Figure 14 , 15a and 15b Figure 1 shows a transport box 68 fully equipped for the transfer of a drive gearbox. The insert 92 is received in this box via a slide that is spring-loaded vertically in the direction of the z axis and is guided in such a way that it can be displaced laterally relative to the transport box to a limited extent along the x / y axes. According to the illustrations, the insert 92 is Figures 15a and 15bThe gearbox is closed with a cover 92a. After opening this cover 92a, the gearbox can be lifted out by grasping and handling the fixing device 41 and moved into the mounting position on the engine. A gearbox assembly can also be removed from an engine using the fixing device 41 and placed as a unit into a transport box. This procedure also allows for the safe and gentle storage of gearboxes already in operation during maintenance or overhaul work.

[0085] The representation according Figure 16The figure illustrates, in abstract form, individual conceptual approaches implemented in the arrangement according to the invention, each of which also represents an independent set of inventions. The arrangement comprises two main structures S1 and S2. Main structure S1 forms the support and handling structure for the planetary gear drive 30. Main structure S2 forms the support structure provided for external handling of the unit, e.g., for transporting the entire unit.

[0086] The main structure S1 and the main structure S2 are flexibly coupled kinematically, as illustrated here by the springs H1 and H2. The flexible coupling points formed by springs H1 and H2 can also be located elsewhere, so that the main structure S1 is flexibly supported relative to the structure S2 affected by the external handling. This flexibility exists in three spatial directions: x, y, and z.

[0087] The main structure S1 can form a housing and thus, in particular, the first housing part 41 in its design according to the Figures 4 to 8c The ring gear 38 and the planet carrier 34 are connected to this main structure S1 by fixing means F1 and F2. The ring gear 38 is rigidly coupled to the main structure S1 in the direction of the Z-axis. The axial position of the planet carrier 34 can be fixed; in this case, only its rotation about the Z-axis is prevented, and the planet carrier 34 is coupled to the main structure S1 only to that extent. With regard to the embodiment according to the Figures 9 to 15b The coupling means S1a, S1b used to connect the ring gear 38 and the planet carrier 34 correspond to the arm sections 100 and the pins 101.

[0088] The sun gear 28 is subjected to a defined torque about the axis Z. For this purpose, the journal 102 engages in the internal teeth of the sun gear 28. The journal 102 is rotatable about the axis z relative to the main structure S1, at least within a sufficient swivel range. The torque acting on the journal 102 is generated by a clamping mechanism 103. This can be implemented as a purely mechanical system and preferably converts an axial force of a screw into a torque via a rolling wedge mechanism. This torque acts between the journal 102 and the main structure S1. Due to the fixation of the ring gear 38 and the planet carrier 34 to the main structure S1, the transmission 30 is preloaded by the torque applied to the sun gear 28, and the teeth of the planet gears 32 come into a pressure contact in their respective engagement zones, defined by the journal torque.

[0089] The main structure S1 can form a housing 40, or a housing part 41 of a housing 40. It can also form the cover 92a of the insert 92. It can also be designed as a frame-like structure and inserted into a housing or a transport box 68. The main structure S2 can also be multi-part. It can represent the transport box 68, the slide 90, the insert 92, or the second housing part 42. Individual conceptual features of the arrangement, each independent and combinable, include in particular that: the gearbox is combined into an assembly and connected to a support component of the arrangement; the gearbox is clamped to eliminate the (circumferential) play in the gearing; the unit thus formed is resiliently suspended; the gearbox is enclosed; the gearbox becomes manageable by a component of the arrangement; that component is intended as an aid for inserting the gearbox assembly into a drive unit; the suspension events of the gearbox are recorded and documented; the gearbox in the enclosure is in contact with a preservative medium.

[0090] It is understandable to a person skilled in the art that a feature or parameter described in relation to one of the above aspects can be applied to any other aspect, provided they are not mutually exclusive.

Claims

1. A transfer device for handling a transmission (30) for an engine, said transmission (30) comprising a ring gear (38), planet gears (32), a planet carrier (34) and a sun gear (28), comprising: - a fixing device (40, 41, 42) which can be coupled to the ring gear (38), the planet carrier (29) and the sun gear (28) in such a way that the transmission (30) can be transferred via the fixing device (40, 41, 42), and - a clamping mechanism (46) which is incorporated in the fixing device (40, 41, 42), wherein - the transmission (30) can be brought into a braced state via the clamping mechanism (46, 103), characterized in that the fixing device (40, 41, 42) forms a housing (40) having a first housing part (41) and at least one second housing part (42) which can be connected thereto, at least the first housing part (41) being provided with means (70, 71, 72, 47) for locking the transmission (30) in the first housing part (41) in the axial direction (x) of the first housing part (41) and for connecting at least one component (28, 32, 34, 38) of the transmission (30) to the first housing part (41) in a rotationally fixed manner, the first housing part (41) additionally having at least one assembly region via which the first housing part (41) can be handled together with the transmission (30) by means of a lifting device during assembly.

2. Transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that a torque can be introduced into the sun gear (28) via the clamping mechanism (46, 103) and the engagement of the planet gears (32) in the sun gear (28) and the ring gear (38) is thereby loaded.

3. Transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the first housing part (41) comprises axial contact surfaces (52, 54, 65) for the components (28, 32, 34, 38) of the transmission (30).

4. Transfer device according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one means (70, 71) for axially locking the transmission (30) in the first housing part (41) comprises a double-acting piston-cylinder unit (44, 45), wherein a piston (44A, 45A) or a cylinder (44B, 45B) of the piston-cylinder unit (44, 45) is configured to be movable both translationally and rotationally relative to the cylinder (44B, 45B) or relative to the piston (44A, 45A), and the piston-cylinder unit (44, 45) has a clamping element (44C, 45C) which is connected to the cylinder (44B, 45B) or the piston (44A, 45A), can be brought into operative connection with at least one of the components (34, 38) of the transmission (30) and via which the at least one component (34, 38) of the transmission (30) can be pressed against one of the axial contact surfaces (52, 54, 65) of the first housing part (41).

5. Transfer device according to at least one of claims 1, 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one means (72) for radially locking the transmission (30) in the first housing part (41) comprises a double-acting piston-cylinder device (46), wherein a piston (46A) or a cylinder (46B) of the piston-cylinder device (46) is configured to be rotationally movable relative to the cylinder (46B) or relative to the piston (46A), and the piston-cylinder device (46) has a clamping element (46C) which is connected to the cylinder (46B) or to the piston (46A), which can be brought into operative connection with a component (28) of the transmission (30) via a toothing (46C1) and via which the transmission (30) can be rotationally pretensioned against a retaining element (47) of the first housing part (41), and / or in that the clamping element (46C) of the means (72) for radially locking the transmission (30) in the first housing part (30) comprises a threaded region (46C2) onto which a clamping nut (61) can be screwed, the component (28) of the transmission (30), which can be brought into operative connection with the clamping element (46C), being axially lockable via the clamping nut (61).

6. Transfer device according to one of claims 1, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that at least one of the housing parts (41, 42) is formed with at least one transparent area and / or in that at least one of the housing parts (41, 42) is formed with at least one closable opening and at least one seal is provided between the housing parts (41, 42).

7. Transfer device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a transport box (68), the transport box (68) providing a suspension device by means of which the transmission (30) connected to the fixing device is resiliently supported.

8. Transfer device according to claim 7, characterized in that the suspension device comprises a guide mechanism into which an insert housing (92) can be inserted.

9. Transfer device according to claim 8, characterized in that the fixing device can be inserted into the insert housing (92) and can be lifted out of the insert housing (92) by means of the gear (30).

10. Transfer device according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least the first housing part (41) has receiving regions, in the region of which spring-damper units (67) can be fastened at one end to the first housing part (41) and can be connected at the other end to a transport device (68).

11. Transfer device according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least one sensor unit for determining a temperature and / or a humidity and / or an acceleration acting on the transmission (30) and / or a location of the transmission (30) is comprised.

12. A transport box (68) comprising a transfer device according to at least one of claims 7 to 9.

13. Method for mounting a gear (30) designed as a planetary gear, which is provided via a transfer device according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the gear (30) is picked up together with the fixing device and is inserted into the aircraft engine (10) by handling the fixing device.

14. Method for dismantling a gearbox (30) designed as a planetary gearbox from an engine by means of a transfer device according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the gearbox (30) is fixed to the fixing device and is lifted out of the engine (10) by handling the fixing device.