Rotary Electric Machine Air Bleed Housing for Oil Contamination Control

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing combined power systems face contamination issues in the rotary electric machine due to lubricating oil, requiring frequent maintenance and costly air supply systems to form an air curtain for prevention.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates an air bleed port and passage in the gas turbine engine to direct compressed air to the rotary electric machine housing, forming an air curtain without an additional air supply source, thereby preventing contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If an air supply source is provided to form an air curtain on the bearing, then contamination of the rotary electric machine is prevented, but equipment investment cost increases and the system becomes larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination of rotary electric machineVSAvoidsystem size and equipment investment

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gas turbine engine's own compressed air output is utilized to form the air curtain, allowing the system to protect itself without external air supply equipment. The compressed air from the gas turbine's compressor is redirected through passages to create the protective air curtain around the bearing, making the system self-sufficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The compressed air generated by the gas turbine engine serves multiple functions: it powers the turbine operation and simultaneously provides the air curtain for contamination prevention. This multi-functional use eliminates the need for separate air supply systems while maintaining protective capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an air supply source is provided to form an air curtain on the bearing, then contamination of the rotary electric machine is prevented, but equipment investment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination of rotary electric machineVSAvoidequipment investment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gas turbine engine's own compressed air output is utilized to form the air curtain, allowing the system to protect itself without external air supply equipment. The compressed air from the gas turbine's compressor is redirected through passages to create the protective air curtain around the bearing, making the system self-sufficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The compressed air generated by the gas turbine engine serves multiple functions: it powers the turbine operation and simultaneously provides the air curtain for contamination prevention. This multi-functional use eliminates the need for separate air supply systems while maintaining protective capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If lubricating oil is supplied to the bearing, then the bearing is lubricated and cooled, but the lubricating oil scatters on the stator and rotor causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing lubrication and coolingVSAvoidcontamination of rotary electric machine

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An air curtain is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the lubricated bearing and the rotary electric machine components. This layer of compressed air prevents direct contact between lubricating oil and the stator/ rotor, allowing the bearing to remain lubricated while protecting the electric machine from contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful effect of lubricating oil scattering is extracted and isolated by the air curtain, which separates the lubrication function from the electric machine components. The oil remains confined to the bearing area while the air curtain creates a protective boundary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration effectively prevents contamination of the rotary electric machine, reduces maintenance needs, and avoids costly equipment investments by utilizing compressed air generated by the gas turbine engine.

Implementation Method 1

compressed air that is compressed by the compressor wheel flows into the air bleed port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

forming an air curtain on the bearing with the compressed air and by spraying the compressed air on the rotary electric machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir curtain formation: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentUS11855512B2Combined power system

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A rotating shaft of a rotary electric machine is supported by a rotary electric machine housing. For the rotary electric machine housing, compressed air flow passages are formed. In a gas turbine engine, an air bleed port is formed in a shroud case, and compressed air that is compressed by a compressor wheel flows into the air bleed port. The compressed air that has passed through the air bleed port flows through air bleed passages formed in an engine housing and the compressed air flow passages. Then, the compressed air flows into a rotary electric machine housing.