Floating Oil Manifold Mounting for Lighter Planetary Gear Carriers

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing oil manifold systems in gas turbine engines require complex machining processes and additional weight due to mounting bosses and hardware, which complicates assembly and increases weight.

Innovation Solution

A floating oil manifold system is introduced, where both the aft and forward oil manifolds can be easily mounted to the carrier without the need for mounting bosses, allowing them to float axially and radially within the carrier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If traditional mounting bosses and hardware are used to secure oil manifolds to the carrier, then the oil manifolds are firmly fixed in position, but the device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of oil manifold systemVSAvoidcomplexity of mounting structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the mounting bosses and hardware from the carrier, extracting the securing function to the oil manifold itself through the floating engagement mechanism. This eliminates the need for additional mounting components while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting function is merged with the oil manifold body by designing the flange portion to directly engage with the carrier opening. The floating engagement mechanism combines positioning and securing functions into the manifold structure itself, eliminating separate mounting hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If mounting bosses and hardware are added to secure the oil manifolds, then the manifolds are firmly mounted, but the machining processes become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of mounting oil manifoldsVSAvoidmachining complexity of carrier

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the mounting functionality from the carrier by removing the need for mounting bosses and associated machining operations. The carrier opening serves dual purposes as both the mounting interface and the functional opening for oil passage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier opening serves multiple functions: it acts as the mounting interface for the oil manifold, provides the functional opening for oil passage, and eliminates the need for separate mounting bosses. This multi-functionality reduces machining complexity while maintaining mounting security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If rigid mounting is used to secure oil manifolds, then the manifolds are firmly fixed, but thermal expansion is restricted causing stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of manifold attachmentVSAvoidthermal expansion accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a static rigid mounting to a dynamic floating engagement mechanism. The oil manifold can move axially and radially within the carrier opening, allowing the system to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The floating engagement mechanism allows changes in positional parameters (axial and radial position) of the oil manifold relative to the carrier. This accommodates thermal expansion by allowing the manifold to shift position rather than being constrained to a fixed position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution simplifies machining processes, reduces overall weight by minimizing mounting hardware, and allows for better thermal expansion accommodation between components, enabling the use of lighter materials.

Implementation Method 1

allows for better thermal expansion accommodation between components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS12234907B2Floating oil manifold for planetary gear systems

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 GE AVIO SRL

AI summary

A planetary gear system includes a carrier including a first side having a first oil manifold opening therethrough, and a second side having a second oil manifold opening therethrough, a first oil manifold and a second oil manifold. The first oil manifold has a first flange portion floatingly engaging with the first oil manifold opening, and a second flange portion engaging with the second oil manifold opening of the carrier, the second flange portion including a first oil manifold mounting flange. The second oil manifold has a second oil manifold flange portion engaging with the second oil manifold opening of the carrier, and including a second oil manifold mounting flange. At least one connecting member connects the first oil manifold mounting flange and the second oil manifold mounting flange so as to mount the first oil manifold and the second oil manifold to the carrier.