Auxiliary Oil Supply Valve Layout for Zero-G Engine Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft turbine engines face challenges in maintaining consistent oil supply to the hydraulic actuator controlling variable pitch angle vanes during zero or negative gravitational forces, leading to potential loss of control and reduced thrust due to air bubble formation in the oil supply system.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary oil supply device with an auxiliary tank, pump, and valve system that ensures continuous oil supply to the control system by redirecting oil from the auxiliary tank during zero or negative g conditions, using a fixed-displacement hydraulic pump and a 3/2-way directional valve to maintain uninterrupted oil flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a main oil tank with a pump is used to supply oil to the hydraulic actuator, then the control system can be supplied with oil under positive gravitational force, but the oil supply fails during zero or negative g conditions due to air bubble formation
Solution Approach 1:
The oil supply system is divided into two separate tanks: a main oil tank for normal positive g conditions and an auxiliary oil tank for zero or negative g conditions. This segmentation allows each tank to be optimized for its specific gravitational condition, ensuring reliable oil supply across all flight phases without air bubble contamination
Solution Approach 2:
A gravitational force detection device acts as an intermediary between the environmental condition (gravity) and the oil supply system. It detects the gravitational force and triggers the switching mechanism to select the appropriate tank, mediating the response to gravitational changes and ensuring the correct oil source is activated
2Productivity
If the pump continuously operates to supply oil, then the control system receives consistent oil flow, but air bubbles are drawn into the system during negative g conditions causing supply failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-positioning oil in the auxiliary tank before negative g conditions occur. The gravitational force detection device anticipates the need for auxiliary oil supply and activates the switching mechanism in advance, ensuring that only clean oil is supplied to the pump during negative g conditions, preventing air bubble ingestion while maintaining continuous supply
3Reliability
If a switching mechanism is added to handle different gravitational conditions, then oil supply can be maintained during zero or negative g, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching mechanism is designed to operate automatically based on gravitational force detection without requiring manual intervention or complex control systems. The gravitational force detection device self-activates the appropriate tank selection based on detected conditions, making the system self-regulating and minimizing the complexity of control logic while ensuring reliable operation
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
Ensures uninterrupted oil supply to the control system, preventing feathering of vanes and maintaining engine control, even in zero or negative g conditions, without the need for additional sensors.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary pump (22) comprising an inlet (22a) connected to the auxiliary tank (20) and an outlet (22b)
Implementation Method 2
a valve (21) comprising a body (21a) having an inlet (21b) connected to the outlet (22b) of the auxiliary pump (22) and a first outlet (21c) connected to the auxiliary tank (20) and a second outlet (21d) intended to be connected to the control system (13)
Data Source
AI summary
An auxiliary supply device that includes: an auxiliary oil tank, an auxiliary pump including an inlet connected to the auxiliary tank and an outlet, a valve including a body having an inlet connected to the outlet of the auxiliary pump and a first outlet connected to the auxiliary oil tank, and a second outlet intended to be connected to a control system, the valve further having a member capable of moving within the body and configured to move between a first position in which the inlet of the valve is in fluid communication with the first outlet of the valve and a second position in which the inlet of the valve is in fluid communication with the second outlet of the valve.