Equipment for a turbomachine drive system, drive system, turbomachine and associated aircraft

Abstract

An equipment (18) for a drive system (5) of a rotating part of a high-pressure body (4) of a turbomachine (3) for an aircraft (1) is proposed. The drive system comprises an accessory relay box (13) comprising at least one shaft line (14) configured to be mechanically coupled to the rotating part, the equipment (18) comprising an equipment shaft (18b) configured to be connected to the shaft line (14). A side surface (18d) of the equipment comprises an opening (25), and the equipment comprises a tool shaft (21) having a first end provided with a mechanical interface (22) located opposite the opening (25) and adapted to cooperate with an external tool (23) inserted in the opening, the equipment further comprising transmission means (24) configured to connect the equipment shaft to the second end of the tool shaft to transfer a torque between the equipment shaft and the tool shaft.Figure for abstract: Fig 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Equipment for a turbomachine drive system, associated drive system, turbomachine and aircraft Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the drive of a propulsion engine of an aircraft, and more particularly to equipment for driving a propulsion engine of an aircraft, and to a system for driving a rotating part of a high-pressure body of a turbomachine for an aircraft comprising such equipment.

[0002] The invention further relates to a propulsion engine comprising a turboprop or a turbojet comprising such a drive system, and to an aircraft comprising such a propulsion engine. Previous techniques

[0003] Climate change is a major concern for many legislative and regulatory bodies around the world. Indeed, various restrictions on carbon emissions have been, are being, or will be adopted by various states. In particular, an ambitious standard applies both to new types of aircraft and those in circulation requiring the implementation of technological solutions in order to make them compliant with current regulations. Civil aviation has been mobilizing for several years now to make a contribution to the fight against climate change.

[0004] Technological research efforts have already made it possible to significantly improve the environmental performance of aircraft. The Applicant takes into consideration the impact factors in all phases of design and development to obtain less energy-intensive, more environmentally friendly aeronautical components and products whose integration and use in civil aviation have moderate environmental consequences with the aim of improving the energy efficiency of aircraft.

[0005] Consequently, the Applicant is constantly working to reduce its negative climate impact by using methods and operating virtuous development and manufacturing processes and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions to the minimum possible in order to reduce the environmental footprint of its activity.

[0006] This sustained research and development work covers both new generations of aircraft engines, the lightening of aircraft, in particular through the materials used and the lightened on-board equipment, the development of the use of electric technologies to ensure propulsion, and, essential complements to technological progress, aeronautical biofuels.

[0007] To this end, the invention is the result of technological research aimed at very significantly improving the performance of aircraft and, in this sense, contributes to reducing the environmental impact of aircraft.

[0008] An aircraft comprises propulsion engines, each generally comprising a turboprop or a turbojet.

[0009] Each engine comprises a turbomachine comprising a high pressure body comprising a fixed part and a rotating part provided with blades, and an accessory relay box coupled to a rotor shaft of the rotating part.

[0010] During maintenance operations, it is necessary to visually check the condition of the rotating part, in particular the rotor blades.

[0011] One end of an endoscope is for example introduced into the casing of the turbomachine through a dedicated opening and the rotor is driven by the accessory relay box to slowly rotate the rotor in order to locate visible damage.

[0012] The accessory relay box has shaft lines provided with reducers and connected to the rotor shaft.

[0013] Auxiliary equipment of the turbomachine, in particular fuel pumps, an alternator, a starter, and means for rotating the rotor, are each connected to a shaft line of the housing.

[0014] Document FR2952121 discloses an exemplary embodiment of an accessory relay box comprising a mechanical interface (“Hand Cranking Pad” in English) arranged on an axial face of the box.

[0015] The mechanical interface comprises a square-section end to which a crank can be fitted to slowly rotate the high-pressure body during endoscopic monitoring.

[0016] In the context of new engine developments, and in particular developments of demonstrators prior to future engines in operation, the space located opposite the axial face usually reserved for the installation of the mechanical interface and the crank is reduced and cluttered by engine components in particular to reduce the size of the nacelles supporting the engine.

[0017] It is no longer possible to implant the mechanical interface on the axial face of the accessory relay housing to rotate the high pressure body during an endoscopic inspection. Statement of the invention

[0018] The aim of the invention is to overcome this drawback.

[0019] In view of the above, the invention relates to equipment for a system for driving a rotating part of a high-pressure body of an aircraft turbomachine.

[0020] The drive system includes an accessory relay housing having a first mounting surface and at least one shaft line configured to be mechanically coupled to the rotating portion, the equipment having a first end surface, a second end surface opposite the first end surface and at least one side surface connecting the first and second end surfaces, the equipment further including an equipment shaft configured to be connected to the shaft line, the first end surface being configured to be in contact with the first mounting surface.

[0021] The lateral surface comprises an opening and the equipment comprises a tool shaft having a first end provided with a mechanical interface located opposite the opening and adapted to cooperate with an external tool inserted into the opening, the equipment further comprising transmission means configured to connect the equipment shaft to a second end of the tool shaft to transfer a torque between the equipment shaft and the tool shaft.

[0022] The mechanical interface ("Hand Cranking Pad" in English) is arranged on a lateral surface of the equipment so that an external tool, for example a crank, is docked laterally with respect to the equipment making it possible to free up space opposite the first mounting face, the external tool making it possible to animate the rotating part with a rotational movement in order in particular to carry out an endoscopic inspection of the rotating part.

[0023] Preferably, the transmission means comprise a first bevel gear mounted on the equipment shaft and a second bevel gear arranged at the second end of the tool shaft.

[0024] Advantageously, the equipment shaft is substantially perpendicular to the tool shaft, the transmission means comprising a straight-toothed pinion arranged on the tool shaft and lateral teeth cut on the side of a web secured to the equipment shaft.

[0025] Preferably, the equipment shaft is formed by an upstream shaft and a downstream shaft, the equipment comprising a first disconnection device, the upstream shaft connecting the shaft line to a first connection of the first disconnection device and the downstream shaft connecting a second connection of the disconnection device to the transmission means, the first disconnection device being configured to connect or disconnect the upstream and downstream shafts.

[0026] A system for driving a rotating part of a high-pressure body of an aircraft turbomachine is also proposed.

[0027] The drive system comprises an accessory relay housing having a first mounting surface and at least a first shaft line configured to be mechanically coupled to the rotating portion, and equipment as defined above, the first end surface being in contact with the first mounting surface and the equipment shaft being connected to the first shaft line.

[0028] Preferably, the accessory relay housing includes a second disconnect device configured to connect or disconnect the first shaft line and the equipment shaft.

[0029] Advantageously, the first shaft line comprises an output shaft configured to be mechanically coupled to the rotating part, the output shaft being integral with the equipment shaft of the first equipment.

[0030] Preferably, the accessory relay housing further comprises a plurality of shaft lines, and an output shaft configured to be mechanically coupled to the rotating portion of the high pressure body, the output shaft being mechanically coupled to each of the first shaft line and the plurality of shaft lines via gears, the first shaft line being one of the shaft lines of the accessory relay housing coupled to the output shaft.

[0031] There is also provided a turbomachine for an aircraft comprising a high pressure body comprising a rotating part comprising a propulsion shaft, and a drive system as defined previously, the first shaft line being coupled to the propulsion shaft.

[0032] An aircraft comprising at least one turbomachine as defined above is also proposed. Brief description of the drawings

[0033] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0034] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates an aircraft of the invention;

[0035] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a turbomachine according to the invention;

[0036] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of transmission means according to the invention;

[0037] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an accessory relay box according to the invention; and

[0038] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a drive system according to the invention. Detailed description

[0039] Reference is made to [Fig.l] which schematically illustrates an example of an aircraft 1 comprising two propulsion engines each comprising a turbojet 2.

[0040] Of course, the aircraft may comprise more than two propulsion engines or a single propulsion engine.

[0041] Alternatively, each propulsion engine comprises a turboprop.

[0042] The propulsion engines are identical.

[0043] Each turbojet or turboprop comprises a turbomachine 3.

[0044] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the turbomachine 3.

[0045] The turbomachine 3 comprises a high pressure body 4 connected to a system drive 5 by means of a first angle transmission device 6 made from toothed wheels, for example with bevel teeth.

[0046] The high-pressure body 4 comprises a high-pressure compressor 8 and a high-pressure turbine 9 linked in rotation by a common shaft 7 called the high-pressure shaft, and an annular combustion chamber 10 arranged between the compressor 8 and the turbine 9 so that the compressor 8 supplies pressurized air to the combustion chamber 10 to burn a fuel, for example kerosene, injected into the combustion chamber 10.

[0047] The compressor 8, the turbine 9, and the propulsion shaft form a rotating part of the high-pressure body 4. The gases generated in the combustion chamber 10 drive this rotating part, and also drive a low-pressure turbine (not shown) of a low-pressure body if the turbomachine 3 is of the double-body type.

[0048] The high pressure body 4 further comprises an internal angle transmission device 11 made from comic pinions, commonly called IGB (for “Inlet GearBox” in English). This device 11 connects the shaft 7 to an input shaft 12, also called a radial shaft, connected in turn to an external angle transmission 6 called TGB (for “Transfer GearBox” in English).

[0049] Alternatively, the internal angle transmission device 11 is made from straight pinions.

[0050] The drive system 5 comprises an accessory gearbox 13 (also called AGB for "accessory gearbox" in English) comprising three shaft lines 14, 15, 16 and an output shaft 17.

[0051] Each shaft line 14, 15, 16 comprises a pinion 14a, 15a, 16a and the output shaft 17 comprises a pinion 17a.

[0052] The first shaft line 14 is connected to the output shaft 17 by a gear formed by the pinion 14a of the first shaft line 14 cooperating with the pinion 17a of the output shaft 17.

[0053] The second shaft line 15 is connected to the output shaft 17 by a gear formed by the pinion 15a of the second shaft line 15 cooperating with the pinion 17a of output shaft 17.

[0054] The third shaft line 16 is connected to the output shaft 17 by a first gear formed by the pinion 15a of the second shaft line 15 cooperating with the pinion 17a of the output shaft 17 and a second gear formed by the pinion 15a of the second shaft line 15 cooperating with the pinion 16a of the third shaft line 16.

[0055] Of course, the housing 13 can comprise more or less than three shaft lines.

[0056] The housing 13 has a first mounting surface 13a and a second mounting surface 13b opposite the first mounting face 13a.

[0057] The first mounting face 13a comprises at least one opening per shaft line 14, 15, 16 allowing the passage of a shaft.

[0058] The drive system 5 further comprises three pieces of equipment 18, 19, 20.

[0059] The first shaft line 14 is connected to a first equipment 18, the second shaft line 15 is connected to a second equipment 19 and the third shaft line 16 is connected to a third equipment 20.

[0060] Each piece of equipment 18, 19, 20 comprises, for example and not limited to, a lubrication pump, a fuel pump or a starter.

[0061] Each equipment 18, 19, 20 is generally cylindrical.

[0062] Each equipment 18, 19, 20 comprises a first end surface 18a, 19a, 20a coming into contact with the first mounting face 13a and fixed on the first mounting face 13a by fixing means (not shown) comprising for example bolts, so that the housing 13 supports the equipment 18, 19, 20.

[0063] Each equipment 18, 19, 20 further comprises an equipment shaft 18b, 19b, 20b connected to the pinion 14a, 15a, 16a of the shaft line 14, 15, 16.

[0064] Alternatively, the second mounting face 13b of the housing 13 comprises at least one opening so that equipment is fixed to the second mounting face 13b and connected to a shaft line of the housing 13.

[0065] The first equipment 18 further comprises a second end surface 18c opposite the first end surface 18a, and a lateral surface 18d connecting the first and second end surfaces 18a, 18c.

[0066] The first equipment 18 comprises a tool shaft 21 comprising a first end provided with a mechanical interface 22 cooperating with an external tool 23.

[0067] The external tool 23 comprises, for example, a crank comprising a non-circular tip inserting into a non-circular bore of the mechanical interface 22.

[0068] The first equipment 18 further comprises transmission means 24 connecting the equipment shaft 18b to the second end of the tool shaft 21 to transfer a torque between the equipment shaft 18b and the tool shaft 21.

[0069] The torque is generated by the manipulation of the external tool 23 inserted into the mechanical interface 22.

[0070] The first equipment 18 further comprises an opening 25 located on the lateral surface 18d.

[0071] The mechanical interface 22 is located opposite the opening 25.

[0072] The first equipment 18 comprises a first disconnection device 26, and the equipment shaft 18b is formed by an upstream shaft 27 and a downstream shaft 28.

[0073] The upstream shaft 27 connects the first shaft line 14 to a first connection of the first disconnection device 26 and the downstream shaft 28 connects a second connection of the first disconnection device 26 to the transmission means 24.

[0074] The first disconnection device 26 is capable of connecting or disconnecting the upstream and downstream shafts 27, 28.

[0075] The transmission means 24 comprise a first bevel gear 29 mounted on the downstream shaft 28 of the equipment shaft 18b and a second bevel gear 30 arranged at the second end of the tool shaft 21.

[0076] The mechanical interface 22 (“Hand Cranking Pad” in English) is arranged on a lateral surface 18d of the first equipment 18 so that the external tool 23 is docked laterally with respect to the first equipment 18 and not axially as known from the prior art, making it possible to free up space opposite the first mounting face 13b.

[0077] Advantageously, the first equipment 18 and the opening 25 are arranged close to the ground so that when the cowlings of the engine 3 of the aircraft 1 are open, the mechanical interface 22 is easily accessible.

[0078] The first shaft line 14 supporting the first equipment 18 is coupled to the output shaft by means of a single gear formed by the pinion 14a of the first shaft line 14 and the pinion 17a of the output shaft 17.

[0079] The first shaft line 14 is coupled to the output shaft via the minimum number of gears so that the mechanical interface 22 is located as close as possible to the output shaft 17, making it possible to minimize the number of gear pinions between the tool shaft 21 and the output shaft 17 so that the sum of the tooth clearances of the pinions is reduced.

[0080] As the sum of the tooth clearances is reduced, the precision of the rotation angle of the rotating part of the high-pressure body 4 from a rotation of the external tool 23 is improved, and the latency between the rotation of the external tool 23 and the rotating part of the high-pressure body 4 driven by the rotation of the external tool 23 is reduced.

[0081] The transmission means 24 comprise two bevel gears 29, 30 cooperating to transmit a torque so that an angle formed between the equipment shaft 18b and the tool shaft 21 may be equal to 90° or any other angle value compatible with bevel gears and the space available in the equipment 18 to accommodate the transmission means 24.

[0082] The first disconnection device 26 makes it possible to disconnect the upstream shaft 27 and the downstream shaft 28 when the aircraft 1 is in flight, increasing the available torque transmitted by the output shaft 17 to drive the second and third equipment 19, 20 when the aircraft 1 is in flight.

[0083] The first disconnection device 26 makes it possible to connect the upstream shaft 27 and the downstream shaft 28 during maintenance phases at very low speeds to carry out an endoscopic inspection and during the first revolutions of the engine during the engine start-up and shutdown phases.

[0084] Furthermore, since the downstream shaft 28 is not driven in rotation when the aircraft 1 is in flight, and is driven at low speed during maintenance phases and when the engine is in the start-up phase and in the shutdown phase, a drip lubrication system is sufficient to lubricate the transmission means 24 and the first equipment 18, reducing the size and complexity of the lubrication system.

[0085] The lubrication system (not shown) lubricates in particular the pinions 29, 30 of the transmission means 24 and the bearings (not shown) of the transmission means 24 supporting the equipment and tool shafts.

[0086] Advantageously, the first equipment 18 is chosen as being equipment comprising the first disconnection device 26 so that only the transmission means 24, the tool shaft 21 and the opening 25 are added, making it possible to share in particular the drop-by-drop type lubrication system to lubricate the transmission means 24.

[0087] Alternatively, the first equipment 18 does not include the first disconnection device 26, the equipment shaft 18b being formed from a single shaft connecting the pinion 14a of the first shaft line 14 to the connecting means 24.

[0088] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates another example of the transmission means 24.

[0089] The transmission means 24 comprise a straight-toothed pinion 35 arranged on the tool shaft 21 and lateral teeth 36 cut on the side of a web 37 secured to the equipment shaft 18b.

[0090] In this embodiment of the transmission means 24, the equipment shaft 18b is substantially perpendicular to the tool shaft 21 so that the teeth of the straight-toothed pinion 35 mesh with the lateral teeth 36 cut on the flank of a web 37 secured to the equipment shaft 18b.

[0091] The term “substantially” means that the equipment shaft 18b is perpendicular to the tool shaft 21 within a few degrees.

[0092] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates another example of the accessory relay housing 13.

[0093] The housing 13 comprises a second disconnection device 40 capable of connecting or disconnecting the first shaft line 14 and the equipment shaft 18b from the first equipment 18.

[0094] The second disconnection device 40 makes it possible to disconnect the first shaft line 14 and the equipment shaft 18b from the first equipment 18 when the aircraft 1 is in flight, and to connect the first shaft line 14 and the equipment shaft 18b when said shafts are rotating at low speeds during the maintenance phases to carry out an endoscopic inspection and during the first revolutions of the engine during the engine start-up and shutdown phases, increasing the available torque transmitted by the output shaft 17 to drive the second and third equipment 19, 20 when the aircraft 1 is in flight.

[0095] The integration of the second disconnection device 40 in the housing 13 makes it possible to obtain a more compact drive system 5.

[0096] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates another example of embodiment of the drive system 5.

[0097] In this example, the output shaft 17 of the housing 17 is integral with the shaft to the equipment shaft 18b of the first equipment 18.

[0098] Of course, the first shaft line 14 may comprise the second disconnection device 40 illustrated in [Fig.4].

Claims

Claims

1. Equipment (18) for a drive system (5) of a rotating part of a high-pressure body (4) of a turbomachine (3) for an aircraft (1), the drive system comprising an accessory relay box (13) having a first mounting surface (13a) and at least one shaft line (14) configured to be mechanically coupled to the rotating part, the equipment (18) having a first end surface (18a), a second end surface (18c) opposite the first end surface and at least one lateral surface (18d) connecting the first and second end surfaces (18a, 18c), the equipment further comprising an equipment shaft (18b) configured to be connected to the shaft line (14), the first end surface (18a) being configured to be in contact with the first mounting surface (13a),characterized in that the lateral surface (18d) comprises an opening (25) and the equipment comprises a tool shaft (21) having a first end provided with a mechanical interface (22) located opposite the opening (25) and capable of cooperating with an external tool (23) inserted in the opening, the equipment further comprising transmission means (24) configured to connect the equipment shaft (18b) to a second end of the tool shaft to transfer a torque between the equipment shaft and the tool shaft.,

2. Equipment according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means (24) comprise a first bevel gear (29) mounted on the equipment shaft (18b) and a second bevel gear (30) arranged at the second end of the tool shaft (21).

3. Equipment according to claim 1, in which the equipment shaft (18b) is substantially perpendicular to the tool shaft (21), the transmission means (24) comprising a straight-toothed pinion (35) arranged on the tool shaft (21) and lateral teeth (36) cut on the side of a web (37) integral with the equipment shaft (18b).

4. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the equipment shaft (18b) is formed by an upstream shaft (27) and a downstream shaft (28), the equipment (18) comprising a first disconnection device (26), the upstream shaft (27) connecting the shaft line (14) to a first connection of the first disconnection device (26) and the downstream shaft (28) connecting a second connection of the disconnection device (26) to the transmission means (24), the first disconnecting device being configured to connect or disconnect the upstream and downstream shafts.

5. A drive system (5) for a rotating part of a high-pressure body (4) of a turbomachine (3) for an aircraft (1), the drive system comprising an accessory relay box (13) having a first mounting surface (13a) and at least one first shaft line (14) configured to be mechanically coupled to the rotating part, and equipment (18) according to one of claims 1 to 4, the first end surface (18a) being in contact with the first mounting surface (13a) and the equipment shaft (18b) being connected to the first shaft line (14).

6. The drive system of claim 5, wherein the accessory relay housing (13) comprises a second disconnecting device (40) configured to connect or disconnect the first shaft line (14) and the equipment shaft (18b).

7. A drive system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first shaft line (14) comprises an output shaft (17) configured to be mechanically coupled to the rotating part, the output shaft (17) being integral with the equipment shaft (18b) of the first equipment (18).

8. The drive system of claim 5 or 6, wherein the accessory relay housing (13) further comprises a plurality of shaft lines (15, 16), and an output shaft (17) configured to be mechanically coupled to the rotating portion of the high pressure body (4), the output shaft (17) being mechanically coupled to each of the first shaft line (14) and the plurality of shaft lines (15, 16) via gears (14a, 15a, 16a, 17a), the first shaft line (14) being one of the shaft lines of the accessory relay housing (13) coupled to the output shaft.

9. Turbomachine (3) for aircraft (1) comprising a high pressure body (4) comprising a rotating part comprising a propulsion shaft (7), and a drive system (5) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, the first shaft line (14) being coupled to the propulsion shaft.

10. Aircraft (1) comprising at least one turbomachine (3) according to claim 9.

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