Aircraft Engine Lubrication Loop With De-Aerator Pump Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft engine lubrication systems suffer from inefficiencies in air separation from lubricant, leading to increased system mass due to dwell time in oil tanks and potential air ingestion into pumps, especially in varying gravitational conditions.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft engine lubrication system incorporating a de-aerator and a quasi-closed loop design that separates air from lubricant before returning it to the tank, using a combination of passive and active de-aerators, pumps, and valves to maintain efficient lubricant flow and reduce dwell time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oil is circulated through the oil tank for dwell time to let air evacuate, then air separation is achieved, but system mass increases due to extra oil volume required
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the oil circulation path into two distinct loops: a first loop including the oil tank for bulk oil storage and a second loop including the de-aerator for active air separation. This allows the tank to contain minimal oil while the de-aerator handles the air separation function efficiently, resolving the contradiction between air separation effectiveness and oil volume requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The de-aerator acts as an intermediary device between the oil pump and the oil tank, actively separating air from oil before returning it to the tank. This intermediary function eliminates the need for large oil volumes to dwell in the tank for passive air evacuation, thereby reducing system mass while maintaining effective air separation
2Reliability
If de-aerator is integrated into the system, then air separation improves, but air may remain in the de-aerator oil return to tank
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary air separation in the de-aerator before oil returns to the tank, and includes a vent line that actively removes accumulated air from the de-aerator. This preliminary action prevents air from being carried back to the pump, resolving the contradiction between improved air separation performance and prevention of air ingestion
Solution Approach 2:
The vent line provides a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors and removes air accumulation from the de-aerator. This feedback loop ensures that air is actively managed and removed, preventing it from returning to the pump while maintaining effective air separation performance
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 effectively reduces the volume of lubricant required in the tank, minimizes air ingestion, and maintains consistent lubricant flow, even in adverse gravitational conditions, enhancing engine performance and reducing weight.
Implementation Method 1
air and oil are partially separated before being returned to the oil tank using centrifugal acceleration in a curved path
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft engine lubrication system for an aircraft engine having a first component (FC) and a second component (SC) is provided. The system includes a lubricant tank (LT), a first pump (FP), a second pump (SP), and a de-aerator (DA). The LT outlet is in fluid communication with a FP inlet. The FP outlet is in fluid communication with a SP inlet. The SP outlet is in fluid communication with a FC inlet and the SC inlet. The SC outlet is in fluid communication with a LT first inlet. The DA gas outlet is in fluid communication with a LT second inlet. The DA liquid outlet is in fluid communication with a SP inlet.