BEARING, SWING BEARING CARTRIDGE, PROPELLER ROTOR AND CORRESPONDING TURBOMACHINE
The circular bearing cartridge with a peristaltic recirculation system addresses the issue of lubricant distribution in turbomachines, ensuring effective lubrication and preventing bearing deterioration, thus improving turbomachine rotor reliability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023001349
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-02-14
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-07
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-02-14
AI Technical Summary
The existing lubrication systems in turbomachines fail to effectively recirculate lubricant to bearings, leading to overloading and drying out, which can cause deterioration and potential breakage of radial bearings due to centrifugal forces during propeller rotation, affecting the operation and durability of turbomachines.
A circular bearing cartridge with a peristaltic recirculation system using an internal ring with outgrowths to press a flexible duct, recirculating lubricant through a peristaltic pump mechanism to ensure minimum lubrication of bearings, utilizing simple mechanical means.
The recirculation system maintains optimal lubrication of bearings, preventing overloading and drying, thereby enhancing the operational reliability and longevity of turbomachine propeller rotors.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: ROLLING BEARING, ORIENTATION BEARING CARTRIDGE, CORRESPONDING PROPELLER ROTOR AND TURBO-MACHINE Field of invention
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of turbomachines and concerns more particularly unducted turbomachines.
[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to the lubrication of rolling bearings used in slewing bearing cartridges.
[0003] The invention relates to all types of aircraft turbomachine, in particular turbojets and turboprops having a bladed propeller. State of the prior art
[0004] The rotors of propellers with moving blades of a turbomachine rotating around a longitudinal axis of rotation X conventionally comprise a circle of blades distributed around the axis of rotation X.
[0005] The moving blades, or vanes, are fixed at a guide bearing cartridge mounted around a central axis Y which is substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation X of the aircraft engine. The rotation of the moving blades is guided by bearings.
[0006] More particularly, each of the moving blades comprises a blade root which is housed in an orientation bearing cartridge and which is guided by bearings arranged on either side of the blade root, namely a radially internal rolling bearing and a radially external rolling bearing.
[0007] The centrifugal forces which are exerted on the bearings during the rotation of the propeller are directed along the axis of the blade root, that is to say along the Y axis. Therefore, a seal must be added at each of the bearings, or bearings, so as to close the bearing housing on the side radially outside the bearings, and to form a sealed enclosure. This thus prevents the entry of moisture or polluting particles into the housing, and also prevents a flow of the lubricant (whatever its nature) under the effect of centrifugal forces.
[0008] For their theoretical purposes, each of the rolling bearings is greased independently, with a ratio of approximately 20% between lubricant and air.
[0009] However, since the entire propeller rotor with moving blades is subjected to centrifugal force during rotation of the turbomachine, the lubricant tends to be projected towards the radially external rolling bearing without, however, descending once the turbomachine is stopped.
[0010] This causes an overload of lubricant in the radially external rolling bearing, thus impairing its optimal operation.
[0011] This also causes the radially internal rolling bearing to dry out, which leads to a risk of deterioration of this radially internal rolling bearing and therefore a risk of poor guidance of the moving blade, or even breakage of the radially internal rolling bearing and therefore an inability of the moving blade to rotate, causing deterioration of the turbomachine.
[0012] There is therefore a need to improve the lubrication of rolling bearings for propeller rotors with moving blades of turbomachines. Statement of the invention
[0013] The invention aims to remedy at least in part the drawbacks mentioned above relating to the techniques of the prior art.
[0014] To this end, the invention relates to a circular rolling bearing for a rotor orientation bearing cartridge of a propeller with moving blades of a turbomachine of axis X, said orientation bearing cartridge comprising a cartridge body arranged around an axis Y orthogonal to said turbomachine axis X and being intended to accommodate a blade root, said cartridge having sealing means intended to be positioned between said cartridge body and said blade root so as to delimit a sealed enclosure inside which a lubricant circulates,
[0015] said rolling bearing comprising: - an external ring intended to come into contact with said cartridge body; - an internal ring intended to come into contact with said blade root; - a plurality of bearing elements arranged between said external joke and said inner ring.
[0016] According to the invention, said inner ring has a wall developing along said orthogonal axis Y, said wall having an outer surface carrying at least one protrusion forming a pressing element of a peristaltic recirculation pump intended to recirculate lubricant towards a radially internal part of said orientation bearing cartridge, said protrusion being intended to press on a flexible conduit for recirculating the lubricant as a function of the rotation of said blade root.
[0017] Thus, the invention proposes a new and inventive approach making it possible to resolve at least in part certain of the drawbacks of the prior art.
[0018] In particular, by implementing recirculation means making it possible to recirculate lubricant towards a radially internal part of said orientation bearing cartridge, minimum lubrication of each of the rolling bearings implemented is ensured and thus rotation of the moving blades is ensured so as to improve the operation of propeller rotors.
[0019] Furthermore, by implementing a peristaltic pump to carry out this recirculation, simple and inexpensive mechanical means are implemented.
[0020] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, said at least one protrusion has a rounded external surface and extends helically over at least part of the periphery of the external surface of said wall.
[0021] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, said at least one protrusion is continuous around the periphery of the outer surface of said wall.
[0022] The invention also relates to an orientation bearing cartridge for a propeller rotor with moving blades of an X-axis turbomachine, comprising: - a cartridge body arranged around a Y axis orthogonal to said turbomachine axis X and intended to accommodate a blade root; - sealing means intended to be positioned between said cartridge body and said blade root, and comprising a lower seal and an upper seal positioned relative to the turbomachine axis X radially external to said lower seal,
[0023] said cartridge body, said blade root, and said sealing means delimiting a sealed enclosure inside which a lubricant circulates,
[0024] said orientation bearing cartridge further comprising:
[0025] - a first radially internal bearing arranged in said sealed enclosure proximity of said lower seal so as to come into contact with said cartridge body and against said blade root;
[0026] - a rolling bearing according to one of the aforementioned embodiments, radially external, arranged in said sealed enclosure near said upper seal so that said external ring bears against said cartridge body and against said blade root, said wall extending towards said first bearing along said orthogonal axis Y,
[0027] said orientation bearing cartridge comprising at least one flexible conduit comprising a suction inlet arranged near said rolling bearing, and an injection outlet arranged near said first bearing,
[0028] said protrusion forming a pressing element of a peristaltic recirculation pump and being intended to press on said at least one flexible lubricant recirculation conduit so as to recirculate lubricant inside said sealed enclosure towards said first bearing as a function of the rotation of said blade root.
[0029] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, said suction inlet is provided between said upper seal and said rolling bearing, and said injection outlet is provided between said seal lower and said first bearing.
[0030] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, said at least one flexible conduit comprises a non-return valve.
[0031] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, the cartridge comprises four flexible conduits uniformly distributed around an inner periphery of said cartridge body.
[0032] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, said at least one flexible conduit has a helical shape having a pitch substantially equal to a pitch of said at least one protrusion, and is arranged in a helical groove formed on the cartridge body and opening into said sealed enclosure.
[0033] The invention also relates to a propeller rotor with moving blades for a turbomachine with an X axis, comprising a plurality of blades rotating about an axis perpendicular to said X axis of the turbomachine, each of said moving blades having a blade root which is housed in an orientation bearing cartridge according to one of the aforementioned embodiments.
[0034] The invention also relates to a turbomachine for aircraft, comprising at least one propeller rotor with moving blades according to the aforementioned embodiment. Presentation of figures
[0035] The invention, as well as the various advantages that it presents, will be more easily understood in the light of the following description of an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment thereof, and of the appended drawings among which: [Fig.l] is a schematic sectional view of a turbomachine; [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of a circular rolling bearing according to a first embodiment of the invention; [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of a flexible conduit according to a first embodiment of the invention; [Fig.4] is a partial schematic side sectional view of a propeller rotor orientation bearing cartridge according to a first embodiment of the invention; [Fig.5] is a partial schematic side sectional view of a propeller rotor orientation bearing cartridge according to a second embodiment of the invention; [Fig.6a] is a schematic sectional view of a portion of an orientation bearing cartridge according to a third embodiment of the invention; [Fig.6b] is a schematic sectional view of a portion of a slewing bearing cartridge according to the embodiment of [Fig.2], the blade root having rotated relative to [Fig.6a]; [Fig.6c] is a schematic sectional view of a portion of a bearing cartridge orientation according to the embodiment of [Fig.2], the blade root having rotated relative to [Fig.6b]; [Fig.7] is a schematic perspective view of a circular rolling bearing according to the third embodiment of the invention; [Fig.8] is a schematic top view of a circular rolling bearing according to a fourth, and [Fig.9] is a partial schematic side sectional view of a propeller rotor orientation bearing cartridge according to the fourth embodiment of the invention.
[0036] Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention
[0037] It should be noted that the invention applies in particular to aircraft turbomachines, and in particular to turbomachines comprising at least one propeller with a blade, or moving blades, as shown in [Fig.l]. Preferably, this propeller is unducted.
[0038] This aircraft engine propeller rotor 100 rotates around an axis of rotation X. The propeller comprises a circle of moving blades 2 distributed around the axis of rotation X and each of the moving blades 2 comprises a root 20. The propeller rotor extends in front of a main body 400 of the engine, which may comprise a wheel 500 of variable-pitch blades straightening the air flow, a combustion chamber, and gas expansion turbines.
[0039] The moving blades 2 are fixed by their blade root 20 at the level of a cartridge mounted around a central axis Y which is substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation X of the aircraft engine. The rotation of the moving blades 2 is guided by bearings arranged in this orientation bearing cartridge.
[0040] Throughout the description, an axial direction corresponds to the direction of the longitudinal axis X and a radial direction is a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and intersecting the longitudinal axis X. Therefore, the direction along the Y axis corresponds to a radial direction.
[0041] Similarly, the adjectives "inner" (or "internal") and outer ("or external") are used with reference to this radial direction so that the inner part of an element is, along this radial direction, closer to the longitudinal axis X than the outer part of the same element.
[0042] We now present, in relation to Figures 2 to 4, a first embodiment of an orientation bearing cartridge for a propeller rotor with moving blades according to the invention, as well as a circular rolling bearing for an orientation bearing cartridge.
[0043] As illustrated, the orientation bearing cartridge for a propeller rotor 100 with moving blades 2 of an X-axis turbomachine, comprises: - a cartridge body 1 arranged around an axis Y orthogonal to the axis of tur- bomachine X; - sealing means intended to be positioned between the cartridge body 1 and the blade root 20.
[0044] More precisely, the sealing means comprise a lower seal 3 and an upper seal 4 positioned relative to the turbomachine axis X radially external to the lower seal 3.
[0045] In other words, and as visible in particular in [Fig. 4], the sealing means comprise a lower seal 3 close to a bottom of the cartridge body 1, and an upper seal 4 close to an upper surface of the cartridge body 1.
[0046] The cartridge body 1, the blade root 20, and the sealing means delimit a sealed enclosure 9 inside which a lubricant circulates.
[0047] The orientation bearing cartridge further comprises:
[0048] - a first radially internal bearing 5 arranged in the sealed enclosure 9 at proximity of the lower seal 3 so as to come into contact with the cartridge body 1 and against the blade root 20;
[0049] - a radially external rolling bearing 6, arranged in the sealed enclosure 9 at proximity of the upper seal 4 so as to also come into contact with the cartridge body 1 and against the blade root 20.
[0050] As illustrated in the various figures, the rolling bearing 6 comprises: - an external ring 60 intended to come to bear against the cartridge body 1 - an internal ring 61 intended to come into contact with the blade root 20; - a plurality of rolling elements 62, which may for example be balls, arranged between the external ring 60 and the internal ring 61.
[0051] According to the invention, this internal ring 61 has a wall 63 developing along the orthogonal axis Y. This wall 63 has an external surface carrying at least one protrusion 64.
[0052] This protrusion 64 is intended to press on a flexible conduit 7 for recirculating the lubricant as a function of the rotation of the blade root 20.
[0053] As a result, the orientation bearing cartridge here comprises a flexible conduit 7 comprising a suction inlet 70 arranged near the rolling bearing 6, and an injection outlet 71 arranged near the first bearing 5, this flexible conduit being intended to contain lubricant, to suck it up at the rolling bearing 6 and to inject it at the first bearing 5.
[0054] In this embodiment, the suction inlet 70 is more precisely arranged between the upper seal 4 and the rolling bearing 6, and the injection outlet 71 is more precisely arranged between the lower seal 3 and the first level 5.
[0055] Thus, according to the invention, the protrusion forms a pressing element of a peristaltic recirculation pump intended to press on the flexible conduit 7 for recirculating the lubricant as a function of the rotation of the blade root 20, so as to recirculate lubricant from the sealed enclosure 9 to a radially internal part of the orientation bearing cartridge. In this way, minimum lubrication of each of the rolling bearings used is ensured.
[0056] In other words, the protrusion 64 forms a pressing element of the peristaltic pump while the flexible conduit 7 forms a pressed element of the peristaltic pump.
[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, and as more particularly visible in [Fig.2], the protrusion 64 has a rounded external surface and extends helically.
[0058] In a complementary manner, in this embodiment, the flexible conduit 7 has a helical shape having a pitch substantially equal to the pitch of the helical protrusion 64.
[0059] As illustrated, the duct 7 is arranged in a helical groove 17 formed on the cartridge body 1 and opening into the sealed enclosure 9. In this way, during assembly of the orientation bearing cartridge, it is possible to control the distance between the duct and the protrusion and thus better control the pressure exerted on the duct by the protrusion during rotation of the blade root.
[0060] It should be noted that the protrusion 64 extends over at least part of the perimeter of the outer surface of the wall 63.
[0061] More precisely, in this embodiment, the protrusion 64 is continuous around the periphery of the outer surface of the wall 63. Furthermore, in this first embodiment, this wall 63 and the protrusion extend over less than one turn of the inner ring 61.
[0062] For example, a second embodiment could be provided, as illustrated in [Fig. 5], in which, for a bearing 6', the wall 63' and the protrusion 64' extend over more than one turn, which allows superposition of the protrusion 64' on several levels radially distant from one another.
[0063] Figures 6a to 7 show a third embodiment of the invention.
[0064] In this embodiment, only the inner ring 61” of the rolling bearing 6' ' differs from the first two embodiments presented.
[0065] Thus, in this embodiment, the wall 63” having an outer surface carrying several protrusions 64”, 64” forming a pressing element of a peristaltic recirculation pump intended to recirculate lubricant towards a radially internal part of said orientation bearing cartridge, this protrusion 64” being intended to press on a flexible conduit 7, similar to the flexible conduit of the first two embodiments, depending on the rotation of the blade root 20.
[0066] More precisely, in this embodiment, the wall 63” has an external surface carrying three protrusions 64” regularly distributed around the perimeter of the external surface of the wall 63” so as to come into contact with the flexible conduit 7 at different regularly distributed points.
[0067] Here too, each of these 64” outgrowths has a rounded external surface. Furthermore, the outgrowths extend helically relative to each other.
[0068] A fourth embodiment of the invention is now presented in relation to Figures 8 and 9.
[0069] In this embodiment, the orientation bearing cartridge comprises four flexible conduits 7' uniformly distributed around an inner periphery of the cartridge body 1', each of these conduits comprising a suction inlet 70' arranged near the rolling bearing and an injection outlet 71' arranged near the first bearing.
[0070] More precisely, and as can be seen in particular in [Fig.8], each of the four flexible conduits is angularly spaced 90° relative to a neighboring conduit 7', relative to the cartridge body 1'.
[0071] Furthermore, and as illustrated in [Fig.9], each of these flexible conduits 7' comprises a non-return valve 75 so as to prevent the lubricant from flowing, for example during rotation of the moving blade in the opposite direction, towards the suction inlet arranged near the rolling bearing.
[0072] Each of the conduits 7' forms a pressed peristaltic pump element capable of being pressed by a protrusion 64'”.
[0073] In other words, in this embodiment, the rolling bearing 6'” comprises a wall 63'” which has an outer surface carrying four protrusions 64'” regularly distributed around the periphery of the outer surface of the wall 63'” so as to come into contact with each of the four flexible conduits 7'. Thus, and as can be seen in particular in [Fig. 8], each of the four protrusions 64'” is angularly spaced 90° relative to a neighboring protrusion 64'”, relative to the periphery of the outer surface of the wall 63'”.
Claims
Claims
1. Orientation bearing cartridge for propeller rotor (100) with moving blades (2) of a turbomachine with axis (X), comprising: - a cartridge body (1, 1') arranged around an axis (Y) orthogonal to said turbomachine axis (X) and intended to accommodate a blade root (20); - sealing means intended to be positioned between said cartridge body (1, 1') and said blade root (20), and comprising a lower seal (3) and an upper seal (4) positioned relative to the turbomachine axis (X) radially external to said lower seal (3), said cartridge body (1, 1'), said blade root (20), and said sealing means delimiting a sealed enclosure (9) inside which a lubricant circulates, said orientation bearing cartridge further comprising: - a first radially internal bearing (5) arranged in said sealed enclosure (9) near said lower seal (3) so as to come into contact with said cartridge body (1, 1') and against said blade root (20); - a radially external rolling bearing (6, 6', 6”, 6”') comprising: - an external ring (60); - an internal ring (61,61', 61”, 61'”) intended to come into contact with said blade root (20); - a plurality of rolling elements (62) arranged between said outer ring (60) and said inner ring (61, 61', 61”, 61'”), characterized in that said inner ring (61, 61', 61”, 61”') has a wall (63, 63', 63”, 63'”) extending along said orthogonal axis (Y), said wall (63, 63', 63”, 63”') having an outer surface carrying at least one protrusion (64, 64', 64”, 64”'), said rolling bearing (6, 6', 6”, 6'”) being arranged in said sealed enclosure (9) near said upper seal (4) so that said outer ring (60) bears against said cartridge body (1, 1') and against said blade root (20), said wall (63, 63', 63”, 63'”) extending towards said first bearing (5) along said orthogonal axis (Y), said orientation bearing cartridge comprising at least one conduit flexible (7, 7') comprising a suction inlet (70) arranged near said rolling bearing (6, 6', 6”, 6'”), and an injection outlet (71) arranged near said first bearing (5), said protrusion (64, 64', 64”, 64'”) forming a pressing element of a peristaltic recirculation pump and being intended to press on said at least one flexible conduit (7, 7') for recirculating the lubricant so as to recirculate lubricant inside said sealed enclosure (9) towards said first bearing (5) as a function of the rotation of said blade root (20).
2. Rolling bearing cartridge (6, 6', 6”, 6'”) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one protrusion (64, 64', 64”, 64'”) has a rounded external surface and extends helically over at least part of the periphery of the external surface of said wall (63, 63', 63”, 63'”).
3. Rolling bearing cartridge (6, 6') according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least one protrusion (64, 64') is continuous over said periphery of the outer surface of said wall (63, 63').
4. Orientation bearing cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said suction inlet (70) is provided between said upper seal (4) and said rolling bearing (6, 6', 6”, 6'”), and in that said injection outlet (71) is provided between said lower seal (3) and said first bearing (5).
5. Orientation bearing cartridge according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least one flexible conduit (7') comprises a non-return valve (75).
6. Orientation bearing cartridge according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises four flexible conduits (7') uniformly distributed over an inner periphery of said cartridge body (1').
7. Orientation bearing cartridge according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that said at least one flexible conduit (7) has a helical shape having a pitch substantially equal to a pitch of said at least one protrusion (64, 64'), and in that it is formed in a helical groove (17) formed on the cartridge body (1) and opening into said sealed enclosure (9).
8. Propeller rotor (100) with moving blades (2) of a turbomachine with axis (X), comprising a plurality of blades rotating around an axis (Y) perpendicular to said axis (X) of the turbomachine, each of said blades (2) having a blade root (20) housed in an orientation bearing cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 7.
9. Turbomachine for aircraft, comprising at least one propeller rotor with moving blades (2) according to claim 8.