Turbomachine Air Starter Dual Lubrication Compartments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air starter lubrication systems for turbomachines face issues such as oil leakage, poor freewheel tolerance, contamination risks, and unreliable lubrication due to the use of internal oil pumps, which can lead to overheating and maintenance challenges, especially under extreme conditions.
Innovation Solution
The air starter is designed with a dual compartment system, where 'non-overrunning' elements are lubricated by splashing and 'overrunning' elements are lubricated by pressurized oil from the engine's oil circuit, eliminating the need for an internal oil pump and ensuring continuous, clean, and filtered lubrication, regardless of external conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an internal oil pump is used to provide pressurized lubrication to the air starter, then lubrication reliability is improved, but the risk of overheating and maintenance challenges increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the oil pump from the air starter system and relocates it to the engine's lubrication system. The air starter is connected to the engine's oil circuit through a supply line, allowing the engine's pump to provide pressurized oil to the air starter's bearing chambers, eliminating the need for a separate internal pump and its associated overheating and maintenance issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the air starter's lubrication system with the engine's existing lubrication circuit. By integrating the oil supply through the engine's oil pump and circuit, the air starter benefits from the engine's proven lubrication system, sharing the same oil reservoir, filtration, and cooling resources.
2Device complexity
If a single lubrication system is used for both non-overrunning and overrunning elements, then device complexity is reduced, but lubrication effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the lubrication system into two distinct circuits: a first circuit using splash lubrication for non-overrunning elements (turbine and reducer), and a second circuit using pressurized oil from the engine's lubrication system for overrunning elements (connecting shaft and bearing chambers). This segmentation allows each element type to receive the most appropriate lubrication method.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different lubrication qualities to different parts of the system. Non-overrunning elements receive splash lubrication from an oil reservoir, while overrunning elements receive high-pressure, filtered oil from the engine's lubrication system, matching the lubrication quality to the specific operational demands of each component.
3Device complexity
If the air starter uses an independent oil bath for lubrication, then lubrication simplicity is improved, but contamination risk to the engine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary arrangement between the air starter and engine oil circuits. A supply line with a check valve allows controlled oil flow from the engine circuit to the air starter, while preventing backflow and contamination. The system uses the engine's oil as an intermediary medium to lubricate the air starter without direct mixing of the two systems.
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 solution provides reliable and efficient lubrication for the air starter's components, reducing costs, mass, and improving reliability by utilizing the engine's oil system for pressurized lubrication, while preventing contamination and ensuring consistent lubrication quality across various conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the second compartment comprising a cavity of the AWC type for lubricating oil for the 'overrunning' elements supplied by the return of lubricating oil from the 'overrunning' elements, themselves fed by lubricating oil under pressure supplied by the turbomachine
Implementation Method 2
the second compartment comprising a cavity of the AWC type for lubricating oil for the 'overrunning' elements supplied by the return of lubricating oil from the 'overrunning' elements, themselves fed by lubricating oil under pressure supplied by the turbomachine
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The main subject of the invention is a turbomachine air starter (10) characterized in that it comprises a first compartment (1) in which the so-called "non-driven" elements of the air starter (10) are situated, these corresponding to the elements rotationally driven only in the phase of starting the turbomachine, and a second compartment (2) in which the so-called "driven" elements of the air starter (10) are situated, these corresponding to the elements rotationally driven throughout the time that the turbomachine is in operation, including during the starting phase, the first compartment (1) comprising a lubricating oil receptacle (3) performing splash lubrication of the "non-driven" elements and the second compartment (2) comprising an AWC lubricating oil type cavity (4) for lubrication of the "driven" components which cavity is fed by the oil return from the "driven" components which are themselves fed with lubricating oil under pressure (Hp) supplied by the turbomachine, the receptacle (3) and the cavity (4) being internal to the air starter (10).