Auxiliary Oil Pump Layout for Aircraft Engine Fire Shutdown Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In some aircraft engines, particularly turboprop and turboshaft engines, the oil in the oil systems remains stagnant during a fire-induced emergency shutdown, failing to dissipate heat due to the lack of windmilling, leading to potential damage from heat exposure.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary oil pump positioned outside the fire zone is activated during a fire-induced emergency shutdown, circulating oil through the main oil conduit to act as a heat sink and minimize damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the main oil pump is used to circulate oil during normal operation, then oil circulation is efficient, but during fire-induced shutdown the stagnant oil cannot dissipate heat
Solution Approach 1:
The oil pump system is segmented into a main oil pump for normal operation and a separate auxiliary oil pump for emergency shutdown scenarios. This segmentation ensures that each pump can be independently controlled and positioned optimally for its specific function, with the auxiliary pump located outside the fire zone to maintain operational reliability during emergencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary oil pump is pre-positioned outside the fire zone and pre-configured with its own power source before any emergency occurs. This preliminary preparation ensures that the pump can be activated immediately upon shutdown without requiring relocation or reconfiguration, enabling immediate heat dissipation capability when needed most.
2Reliability
If the auxiliary oil pump is positioned outside the fire zone, then it remains operational during fire shutdown, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary oil pump system merges multiple functions into a single integrated unit: it combines the pump mechanism, dedicated power source, and thermal management capabilities into one compact assembly positioned outside the fire zone. This merging reduces the need for separate distributed components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary oil pump is equipped with its own independent power source, enabling it to self-activate and operate autonomously during emergency shutdown without requiring external power infrastructure. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex power distribution systems and control interconnections, reducing system complexity while ensuring operational reliability.
3Temperature
If oil circulation continues during fire shutdown, then heat can be dissipated, but the risk of fire spread through the oil system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary oil pump is extracted from the fire zone and positioned in a safe location outside the engine casing. This spatial extraction creates a physical barrier that prevents fire from reaching the pump and contaminating the oil system, while still allowing the pump to circulate oil for heat dissipation purposes. The oil circulation path is thus separated from the fire hazard zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary oil pump acts as an intermediary between the hot oil in the engine and the cooler external environment. By positioning the pump outside the fire zone, it serves as a mediator that can transfer heat from the oil to the surrounding air without being consumed by the fire, enabling continuous heat dissipation while protecting the oil system from fire spread.
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 oil pump effectively distributes heat, reducing potential damage and enabling the use of lighter and more compact engine components by preventing heat accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
circulating oil through the main oil conduit to act as a heat sink and minimize damage
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for operating an aircraft engine in a fire-induced emergency shutdown state. An indication of a fire in a fire zone of the aircraft engine is received. In response to the receiving the indication of the fire in the fire zone of the aircraft engine, an emergency shutdown sequence of the aircraft engine is initiated. In response to the initiating the emergency shutdown sequence of the aircraft engine, an auxiliary oil pump positioned outside of the fire zone of the aircraft engine and distinct from a main oil pump of the aircraft engine is activated. Once activated, the auxiliary oil pump circulates oil through a main oil conduit of the aircraft engine.