Electric Motor Pump System for Turbine Engine Fluid Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanically driven fluid pumping and metering systems in turbine engines are inefficient, leading to unnecessary mechanical power withdrawal, elevated fluid temperatures, and increased weight and complexity, with simplex motor pumps causing in-flight engine shutdowns upon failure.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising two motor pumps driven by electric motors, with an electronic computer controlling the pumps through independent regulation loops, allowing for redundant control and fail-safe operation by distributing hydraulic power or flow rate between the pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If mechanically driven pumps are used for fluid pumping and metering, then hydraulic power can be generated, but unnecessary mechanical power is withdrawn from the gas generator and fluid temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical drive system (pump driven by gas generator via reducer) with an electric motor-driven pump system. The electric motor is powered by the aircraft electrical system rather than mechanically from the gas generator, eliminating the unnecessary mechanical power withdrawal and associated energy losses while maintaining hydraulic power generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the pump function from the mechanical drive system and creates a separate electrically-driven pump system. This allows the pump to be independently controlled and sized for actual requirements rather than worst-case scenarios, reducing energy waste while maintaining necessary hydraulic power generation.
2Power
If mechanically driven pumps are used, then hydraulic power can be generated, but the mass of the mechanical drive and hydraulic components is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the heavy mechanical drive system (including drive pinions, reducer casings, and mechanically-coupled pumps) with compact electric motor-driven pumps. The electric motors are mounted directly on the pump casings, eliminating the need for complex mechanical transmission components and significantly reducing the overall mass of the pumping system.
3Device complexity
If a single motor pump is used for metering, then the system is simplified, but failure of the motor pump stops fuel or lubrication feeding leading to in-flight engine shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single pump system into multiple independent pump units (first pump and second pump). Each pump can operate independently to provide fuel or lubrication feeding. This segmentation ensures that if one pump fails, the other can continue to operate, maintaining continuous fluid delivery and preventing in-flight engine shutdown while keeping the overall system configuration relatively simple.
4Reliability
If pumps are sized for worst-case operating situations, then reliability is improved, but hydraulic power delivered is greater than current requirements causing unnecessary power withdrawal and temperature elevation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable speed control for the electric motor-driven pumps, allowing the pump speed and hydraulic power output to dynamically adjust according to actual operating conditions. This enables the system to maintain reliability by providing sufficient power when needed while avoiding excessive power delivery and associated energy losses during normal operation, thereby reducing unnecessary mechanical power withdrawal and fluid temperature elevation.
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 system reduces weight and complexity, provides redundant safety, optimizes pump sizing, and ensures continuous fluid delivery even in the event of one pump failure, improving ageing and response time of the motor pumps.
Implementation Method 1
each motor pump comprising a pump and a motor configured to drive the pump
Implementation Method 2
The first motor pump and the second motor pump are arranged in series between a fluid reservoir and a member of the turbine engine to be fed with fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A system for pumping and metering a fluid for a turbine engine, which system includes at least one pump for the fluid and an electronic computer configured to determine the flow rate of the fluid to be delivered to the turbine engine, the pumping and metering system being wherein it further includes a first electric motor and a second electric motor, which are each configured to drive the at least one pump, and in that the electronic computer includes a first control loop for controlling at least the first electric motor and a second control loop for controlling at least the second electric motor.