Flexible Turbine Coupling Shaft for Torque Variation Response
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engines face challenges in increasing efficiency, reducing fuel consumption, and minimizing noise while managing torque variations that can cause deformations and overspeed conditions, often resulting in increased packaging and reduced response times.
Innovation Solution
A shaft assembly with a flexible shaft connected to both the engine core and gearbox, featuring splines and a coupling that allows for axial and radial deformation, separates torque and speed sensing paths, and includes a star gear to improve torque distribution and reduce packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a reduction gearbox is introduced between engine core and fan/propeller to increase efficiency, then fuel consumption improves, but turbine engine packaging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible shaft is positioned within the hub of the rotor, nesting the shaft inside the existing rotor structure. This eliminates the need for additional external packaging space while maintaining the torque transmission function of the reduction gearbox system
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible shaft extends in the axial direction within the rotor hub, utilizing the axial dimension rather than requiring additional radial or longitudinal packaging space. This allows the torque transmission path to be established without increasing overall engine packaging
2Power
If a rigid shaft is used to connect engine core and gearbox, then torque transmission is efficient, but response to intermittent torque changes is poor causing deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is designed with flexible platforms that can dynamically adjust their position and orientation in response to intermittent torque changes. This flexibility allows the shaft to accommodate deformation without failure while maintaining efficient torque transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible platforms can change their structural parameters (position, orientation, flexibility) in response to varying torque conditions. This allows the shaft to adapt its mechanical properties to match operating conditions, preventing failure during torque transients
3Loss of time
If torque path is shortened to improve response time, then overspeed detection improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible shaft with platforms serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits torque from the engine core, provides overspeed detection capability, and accommodates torque variations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while improving response time
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 solution enhances the turbine engine's response to torque variations, improves overspeed detection, and reduces packaging by allowing for more efficient torque transmission and flexible movement, thereby improving performance and reducing the risk of failure.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible shaft defining a first end and a second end along the axial direction, wherein the first end is connected to the engine core and the second end is connected to the gearbox
Implementation Method 2
wherein a plurality of splines is defined at the second end and coupled to a spline interface at the gearbox
Implementation Method 3
a coupling extended at least partially in the radial direction and coupled to the engine core and the flexible shaft
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a shaft assembly (95) for a turbine engine (10), wherein the turbine engine includes a fan or propeller assembly (14) and an engine core (20), and further wherein the fan or propeller assembly includes a gearbox (45), and wherein the engine core includes one or more rotors (32). The shaft assembly (95) includes a flexible shaft (100) defining a first end (101) and a second end (102) along the axial direction, wherein the first end is connected to the engine core (20) and the second end is connected to the gearbox (45), and wherein a plurality of splines (110) is defined at the second end (102) and coupled to a spline interface (46) at the gearbox (45); and a coupling (120) extended at least partially in the radial direction and coupled to the engine core and the flexible shaft.