Turboprop Bearing Lubrication via Movable Support Conduit

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Solution Overview

Problem

The lubrication of bearings mounted on movable supports in turboprop engine systems faces challenges due to high thermal and mechanical stresses, inefficiencies in lubricant distribution, and space constraints, leading to suboptimal lubrication and increased system complexity.

Innovation Solution

A lubrication system integrated within the movable support, utilizing pipes and conduits that extend parallel to the translational movement to deliver lubricant directly to the bearing, ensuring homogeneous lubrication and independence from the actuator's supply system, eliminating the need for external nozzles and accessories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nozzles are located on transverse sides of the bearing to supply lubricant, then lubrication is provided, but the efficacy decreases when the bearing moves away from the nozzles and precise targeting is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication efficacyVSAvoidposition independence

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible conduit acts as an intermediary between the fixed lubricant supply source and the moving bearing, allowing the bearing to move freely while maintaining continuous lubricant delivery. The conduit mediates the connection between stationary supply infrastructure and mobile bearing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lubrication system uses hydraulic principles by delivering lubricant through a flexible conduit that can accommodate movement. The system utilizes fluid delivery mechanisms to ensure continuous lubrication regardless of the bearing's position during translation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If external nozzles and accessories are used for lubrication, then lubrication is achieved, but space requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication deliveryVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the lubrication delivery function from complex external nozzle systems and integrates it into a simple flexible conduit connected to the movable support. This eliminates the need for multiple external accessories while maintaining effective lubrication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible conduit serves multiple functions: it delivers lubricant, accommodates bearing movement, and eliminates the need for separate positioning and targeting mechanisms. This multi-functional component reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If lubrication means are integrated in the movable support with pipes extending parallel to translational movement, then homogeneous lubrication is achieved with reduced space requirements, but the system must accommodate relative movement between fixed and movable components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace requirementsVSAvoidmovement accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static nozzle positioning to dynamic accommodation of bearing movement. The flexible conduit dynamically adapts its configuration as the bearing moves, maintaining lubrication delivery throughout the range of motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible conduit replaces rigid piping, allowing the lubrication system to accommodate the relative translational movement between the fixed support and movable bearing while maintaining a compact integrated structure within the movable support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 optimal and homogeneous lubrication of the bearing, reducing space requirements and system complexity while maintaining reliable operation, regardless of the actuator's position, and ensuring consistent lubricant delivery.

Implementation Method 1

The bearing (27) is notable in that said pipe (50) and said conduit (52) extend parallel to the translational movement of the movable part (31) in order to cooperate with each other by sliding between the two extreme positions of the support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS9951651B2Bearing with lubrication means and system for changing the pitch of the blades of a turboprop propeller of an aircraft equipped with said bearing

Publication Date: 2018.04.24 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS

AI summary

A bearing, such as a rolling bearing, is mounted on a support mobile in translation and includes a lubrication mechanism. The lubrication mechanism includes at least one pipe delivering a lubricant, linked to a lubricant supply source, and at least partially engaging in the support mobile in translation to deliver the lubricant from the mobile support along an internal channel to the bearing, passing through an inner ring of the bearing.