Auxiliary Turbine Engine Lubrication for Negative-G Maneuvers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engines face lubricant flow interruptions during negative gravity conditions, which can lead to journal bearing failure and gearbox failure due to inadequate lubrication, particularly in journal bearings, and existing auxiliary systems are ineffective in preventing such interruptions.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary lubrication system with a tri-axial accelerometer and gyroscope predicts potential lubricant pressure interruptions and supplies lubricant to rotating components before they occur, using an accumulator with a lubricant bladder to maintain lubricant flow during negative gravity conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a primary lubrication system is used to supply lubricant to rotating components, then lubrication is effective during stable operating conditions, but lubricant flow interruptions occur during negative gravity conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary lubrication system is activated in advance when negative gravity conditions are detected (within 0-5 seconds of onset) to supply lubricant before the primary system fails, preventing lubricant flow interruptions and maintaining reliable lubrication during the transition to negative gravity conditions
2Reliability
If an auxiliary lubrication system is added to prevent lubricant interruptions during negative gravity conditions, then lubrication reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor system acts as an intermediary between the primary lubrication system and the auxiliary system, detecting negative gravity conditions and triggering the auxiliary system only when needed, thereby maintaining lubrication reliability while minimizing the increase in system complexity through conditional activation
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary lubrication system is designed to activate automatically upon detection of negative gravity conditions without requiring external intervention, and can self-regulate its operation based on the duration and severity of the negative gravity event, reducing the need for complex control mechanisms
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 auxiliary lubrication system effectively prevents lubricant interruptions, ensuring continuous lubrication to rotating components, thereby preventing journal bearing seizure and gearbox failure.
Implementation Method 1
there is a potential lubricant interruption in the lubrication system
Implementation Method 2
An auxiliary lubrication system with a tri-axial accelerometer and gyroscope predicts potential lubricant pressure interruptions
Implementation Method 3
using an accumulator with a lubricant bladder to maintain lubricant flow during negative gravity conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A lubrication system for a turbine engine that includes one or more rotating components. The lubrication system includes one or more tanks that store lubricant, a primary lubrication system, and an auxiliary lubrication system. The primary lubrication system supplies the lubricant from the one or more tanks to the one or more rotating components during stable operating conditions of the lubrication system. The auxiliary lubrication system includes an auxiliary feed line and an auxiliary supply line. The auxiliary lubrication system receives the lubricant from the one or more tanks through the auxiliary feed line. The auxiliary lubrication system supplies the lubricant to the one or more rotating components through the auxiliary supply line when there is a potential lubricant interruption in the lubrication system.