Electric Machine Integration in Turbine Engine Core

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for structures and architectures that facilitate the arrangement of an electric machine within the core of a gas turbine engine to reduce its overall size.

Innovation Solution

The turbine engine assembly includes a stationary structure, a rotating structure, and an electric machine, where the electric machine is positioned between two bearings and consists of a rotor and a stator, with the rotor connected to the rotating structure and the stator connected to the stationary structure, allowing for compact integration within the engine core.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the electric machine is arranged outside the engine core in a gearbox, then the electric machine has sufficient space for installation and maintenance, but the overall size of the gas turbine engine increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall size of gas turbine engineVSAvoidstructural complexity of electric machine integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electric machine is merged with the engine core by positioning it within the core structure rather than externally. The stator is mounted to the core case and the rotor is coupled to the rotating assembly, effectively combining two separate systems (engine core and electric machine) into a single integrated unit, thereby reducing overall engine size and volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electric machine components are nested within the engine core structure. The rotor is positioned within the stator, and both are integrated within the core case boundaries. This nesting arrangement allows the electric machine to occupy space already defined by the engine core rather than adding external volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If the electric machine is arranged within the engine core, then the overall size of the gas turbine engine is reduced, but the structural complexity and difficulty of arrangement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall size of gas turbine engineVSAvoidease of electric machine integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into multiple independent legs (first leg, second leg, third leg) that can be separately manufactured and assembled. Each leg independently supports specific components (bearings, electric machine), allowing for modular assembly and simplifying the manufacturing process compared to a single complex support structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The core case serves multiple functions: it houses the engine core components, provides mounting surfaces for the stator, and acts as part of the support structure for the electric machine. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate structural components, thereby simplifying overall manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If independent legs support the bearings and electric machine, then the structure provides stable support and reduces stress, but the number of components and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of bearing supportVSAvoidnumber of support structure components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple independent legs that can be separately manufactured and assembled. Each leg independently supports specific components, providing stable support while allowing for modular assembly. This segmentation reduces stress concentrations and improves reliability without requiring a single complex monolithic structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration enables a compact and efficient integration of the electric machine within the turbine engine core, reducing size and potentially lowering stresses and maintenance complexities while allowing for both motor and generator operations.

Implementation Method 1

The rotating structure is rotatably mounted to the stationary structure by a first bearing and a second bearing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The electric machine includes a rotor and a stator circumscribing the rotor. The rotor is connected to the rotating structure. The stator is connected to the stationary structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12000338B2Electric machine within a turbine engine

Publication Date: 2024.06.04 RTX CORP

AI summary

An assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes a stationary structure, a rotating structure and an electric machine. The rotating structure is rotatably mounted to the stationary structure by a first bearing and a second bearing. The electric machine is between the first bearing and the second bearing. The electric machine includes a rotor and a stator circumscribing the rotor. The rotor is connected to the rotating structure. The stator is connected to the stationary structure.