Deaerator Gear Attachment Surfaces for IDG Torque Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional integrated drive generator (IDG) systems face challenges in efficiently separating oil from air/oil mixtures within deaerator systems, particularly in maintaining consistent oil supply for lubrication and cooling due to varying input shaft speeds and the need for effective gear designs that facilitate reliable torque transfer.
Innovation Solution
A deaerator shaft with a central ring and axially extending vanes forming channels, along with opposing tabs and a shouldered ring, which allows for efficient fluid separation and torque transmission, enabling consistent oil supply and gear replacement methods that maintain these features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centrifuge device is mounted to a rotating shaft to separate oil from air/oil mixture, then oil separation efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the deaerator system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the centrifuge device with the deaerator shaft into a single integrated component. The centrifuge is mounted directly to the shaft that rotates within the deaerator, merging two previously separate functions (shaft rotation and centrifugal separation) into one unified structure. This integration maintains effective oil separation while reducing overall system complexity by eliminating separate mounting structures and reducing the number of discrete parts.
2Power
If gear components are added to the deaerator shaft, then torque transfer capability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity of the shaft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shaft into distinct functional zones: a central portion for rotation, outer regions for gear mounting, and specific attachment surfaces for component fixation. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining manufacturability. The shaft can be manufactured as a multi-part assembly or with distinct machined sections, each relatively simple to produce, rather than requiring a single complex monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as a rotational element, a mounting structure for gears, and a support for centrifuge components. The attachment surfaces and mounting features are integrated directly into the shaft structure, allowing it to perform multiple functions without requiring separate support structures or complex assembly procedures.
3Productivity
If multiple vanes are added to the deaerator shaft to form channels, then fluid separation performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved or arc-shaped vanes rather than straight radial elements. These curved vanes follow the rotational flow pattern of the centrifugal field, creating smooth fluid channels that enhance separation efficiency. The curvature allows fluid to follow natural flow paths, reducing turbulence and improving oil-air separation performance while maintaining a relatively simple vane geometry that can be manufactured using standard forming or machining processes.
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 deaerator shaft design ensures efficient oil separation and consistent lubrication, while the gear configuration provides reliable torque transfer, addressing the challenges of varying input speeds and ensuring a stable oil supply for IDG systems.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifuge device mounted to a rotating shaft that separates the oil from the air/oil mixture
Data Source
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AI summary
A gear 700 has a central ring 804 positioned about an axis, opposing tabs 702, 704 that extend from a first axial side of the central ring 804, and a shouldered ring 808 that extends from a second axial side of the central ring 804, the shouldered ring 808 having a lip that extends radially inward toward the axis.