Annular Oil Distributor With Independent Circuits for Turbine Gearboxes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mechanical reduction gears in aircraft turbine engines face challenges in oil circulation and evacuation, leading to recirculation of oil and particles, which affects efficiency and structural stability.

Innovation Solution

A deflector with cylindrical concave surfaces and projecting tongues is introduced between satellites to prevent oil recirculation, combined with a lubrication and cooling core that uses frustoconical flanges for efficient oil distribution and cooling, and a distributor with independent oil circuits for improved lubrication and cooling of satellite shafts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional lubrication system is used in mechanical reduction gears, then oil circulation is maintained, but oil and particles recirculate between satellites, reducing efficiency and structural stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidoil recirculation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The lubrication system is segmented into independent circuits for each satellite, with individual distributors and oil circulation paths. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination and recirculation of oil between satellites, allowing each satellite to be lubricated independently while maintaining overall system reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A deflector element is introduced as an intermediary between satellites to prevent oil and particle recirculation. The deflector acts as a physical barrier that redirects oil flow, ensuring that lubricated oil does not recirculate from one satellite to another, thereby maintaining oil quality and structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If traditional oil distribution methods are used, then basic lubrication is provided, but oil circulation and evacuation are insufficient, leading to poor cooling and lubrication efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication efficiencyVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lubrication system employs dynamic oil distribution with distributors positioned to deliver oil to moving satellite components. The system adapts oil flow to the rotational motion of satellites, ensuring continuous lubrication during operation while facilitating efficient oil evacuation and cooling through controlled flow paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes hydraulic principles to optimize oil circulation, employing pressure-driven oil delivery through distributors and channels. The hydraulic design ensures adequate oil pressure for effective lubrication while maintaining proper flow rates for heat dissipation and contaminant evacuation, thereby improving both lubrication and cooling efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Data Source

PatentEP3657045B1Dispenser of lubricating oil for a mechanical gear of an aircraft turbine engine
Publication Date: 2022.12.28 SAFRAN TRANSMISSION SYST
  • EP3657045B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3657045B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3657045B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Lubricating oil distributor (13) for a mechanical turbomachine reducer, in particular for aircraft, characterized in that it has a general annular shape around an axis X and is formed of a single piece, this distributor comprising independent first and second oil circuits (20, 21), said first oil circuit (20) comprising a first oil inlet (20a) connected by a first annular chamber (20b) to several oil outlets (20c) distributed over a first circumference C1 around said axis X, and said second oil circuit (21) comprising a second oil inlet (21a) connected by a second annular chamber (21b) to several oil outlets (21c) distributed over a second circumference C2 around said axis X, the first and second circumferences having different diameters.