Compact Planet Carrier Structure for Reduced Torsional Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Epicyclic gear trains in gas turbine engines face issues with torsional deflection due to planet carrier twist, affecting efficiency and lifespan, and existing designs are not compact or lightweight enough to improve the power-to-weight ratio.
Innovation Solution
A compact and lightweight planet carrier design featuring a torque transfer coupling with radially extending center arms that connect carrier plates, providing a simplified torque path and reducing torsional deflection, while maintaining durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional planet carrier design is used, then structural strength is maintained, but the carrier is prone to torsional deflection and twist under load
Solution Approach 1:
The planet carrier is segmented into multiple functional components: a central torque transfer coupling, multiple radially extending arms, and a peripheral carrier ring. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing both strength and torsional stability. The arms connect the central coupling to the peripheral ring, creating a distributed structural system that resists twist.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the torque transfer coupling and carrier support functions into a single integrated planet carrier structure. The torque transfer coupling is centrally positioned and directly connected to the carrier ring through multiple arms, combining torque transmission and structural support in one unified component. This integration improves the power-to-weight ratio while maintaining durability and reducing torsional deflection.
2Reliability
If a robust planet carrier design is used, then durability is improved, but weight and compactness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The planet carrier merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: torque transfer through the central coupling, structural support through the radially extending arms, and planet gear mounting through the peripheral carrier ring. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate components, reducing overall weight while maintaining durability through optimized load distribution across the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The planet carrier utilizes a three-dimensional configuration with the central torque transfer coupling positioned axially between carrier plates, and multiple arms extending radially outward to the peripheral ring. This spatial arrangement creates efficient torque transmission paths in multiple dimensions, allowing the structure to achieve high durability with minimized material usage and weight.
3Weight of moving object
If a compact planet carrier design is implemented, then power-to-weight ratio is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The compact planet carrier is segmented into a central torque transfer coupling, multiple intermediate arms, and a peripheral carrier ring. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for minimal weight while maintaining its specific function. The arms act as efficient torque transmission elements connecting the central coupling to the outer ring, providing structural integrity without excessive material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The design utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement with the central coupling positioned between carrier plates and arms extending radially outward. This dimensional configuration creates efficient torque transmission paths that maximize structural integrity while minimizing the radial and axial dimensions of the overall carrier, achieving compactness without sacrificing strength.
4Device complexity
If the center arms extend beyond the carrier plate perimeter, then torque transmission is simplified, but the carrier becomes less compact and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The center arms are configured to terminate at the outer perimeter of the carrier plates, with their radially outer ends positioned exactly at the boundary. This precise dimensional positioning optimizes the balance between torque transmission effectiveness and compactness. The arms extend sufficiently to transmit torque from the central coupling to the peripheral ring while preventing the carrier dimensions from increasing beyond the plate perimeter, maintaining a compact overall volume.
Data Source
AI summary
A planet carrier for an epicyclic gear train of a gas turbine engine gearbox includes a centrally disposed torque transfer coupling, a pair of carrier plates parallel to each to each other and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, and center arms radially extending radially outward from the torque transfer coupling to the carrier plates. A central bore is concentric with the longitudinal axis and forming a torque transmission point on the planet carrier. The center arms are axially disposed between the axially spaced apart carrier plates and have radially outer ends which terminate at an outer perimeter of the carrier plates. The center arms are thus entirely radially disposed within a radial outer perimeter of the carrier plates.