Air Pump Sump Pressure Control Gas Turbine Engine
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing lubrication system in gas turbine engines is inefficient and ineffective in reducing pressure within sumps positioned inward of the main air flowpath, leading to potential lubrication leakage and reduced thrust due to air bleeding from the main air flowpath.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an air pump positioned inward of the core air flowpath along the radial direction to provide a flow of air from the sumps to the core air flowpath, bypass air flowpath, or ambient location, which reduces internal sump pressure and prevents lubrication leakage, while maintaining lower void pressures and temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If an eductor is used to lower pressure in sumps by bleeding airflow from the main air flowpath, then the sump pressure is reduced, but the engine thrust is reduced due to air bleeding from the main flowpath
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the air pumping function from the main air flowpath by introducing a separate pump system. The pump is driven by a dedicated drive mechanism (such as a gear motor or direct mechanical drive from the engine) rather than bleeding air from the core flowpath. This separation allows sump pressure reduction without compromising the main airflow and engine thrust.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system serves multiple functions: it reduces sump pressure to prevent lubrication leakage, maintains proper lubrication circulation, and can be integrated with existing engine components. The drive mechanism for the pump can be coupled with the engine's rotational power, making efficient use of available energy without requiring additional air bleeding.
2Reliability
If compressed air is introduced to the void surrounding the sumps to maintain high pressure, then lubrication leakage is prevented, but the system complexity and temperature management become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining high pressure in the sump void to prevent lubrication leakage, the invention inverts the approach by using a pump to actively remove air from the sump, creating a slight vacuum or negative pressure environment. This negative pressure naturally prevents lubrication from leaking into the sump while avoiding the need for complex high-pressure air introduction systems.
3Reliability
If the void surrounding the sumps is maintained at high pressure and temperature, then lubrication leakage is reduced, but the operational efficiency and thrust are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a pneumatic pump system to actively manage the air pressure in the sump environment. By using controlled pneumatic extraction rather than passive high-pressure maintenance, the system achieves reliable lubrication containment while operating at or near ambient pressure conditions, thereby maintaining operational efficiency and engine thrust.
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
The air pump efficiently reduces sump pressure, minimizing lubrication leakage and maintaining lower void pressures and temperatures, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency and thrust of the gas turbine engine.
Implementation Method 1
an air pump positioned inward of the core air flowpath along the radial direction for providing a flow of air from the sump to at least one of the core air flowpath, a bypass air flowpath, or an ambient location
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine is provided defining a radial direction. The gas turbine engine generally includes a compressor section and a turbine section, the compressor section and turbine section together defining a core air flowpath. The gas turbine engine also includes a sump positioned inward of the core air flowpath along the radial direction. An air pump is positioned inward of the core air flowpath along the radial direction for providing a flow of air from the sump to lower an internal pressure of the sump and reduce a likelihood of lubrication leaking from the sump.