Fluid Scoop Assembly for Rotating Equipment Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for communicating fluid between stationary and rotating structures in rotational equipment, such as gas turbine engines, lack efficiency and effectiveness in fluid distribution and sealing, leading to potential fluid loss and inefficiencies in lubrication and cooling processes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed assembly includes a fluid scoop with a tubular body and beveled edge, projecting into a slot in the hub, which divides the annular plenum into sub-plenums and directs fluid into conduits, coupled with a seal device like an O-ring to prevent fluid loss and ensure efficient fluid flow between the stationary and rotating structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluid communication system is implemented between stationary and rotating structures, then fluid distribution for lubrication and cooling is achieved, but fluid loss and sealing inefficiencies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The annular plenum is divided into multiple sub-plenums by fluid scoops, creating separate fluid distribution zones. This segmentation allows for controlled fluid flow into different radial regions, improving distribution efficiency while reducing unnecessary fluid loss through targeted delivery to specific lubrication and cooling points
Solution Approach 2:
Fluid scoops act as intermediary components between the annular plenum and the rotating structure, capturing fluid from the plenum and directing it into radial conduits. These scoops serve as the mediating mechanism that enables efficient fluid transfer from the stationary plenum to the rotating components, ensuring proper lubrication and cooling while minimizing fluid loss
2Reliability
If fluid is directed into radial conduits through fluid scoops, then lubrication and cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid scoops serve multiple functions simultaneously: they divide the annular plenum into sub-plenums, captures fluid from the plenum, direct fluid into radial conduits, and prevent fluid loss. This multi-functionality improves lubrication and cooling effectiveness without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single component performs several critical roles in the fluid distribution system
3Loss of substance
If seal devices are added to prevent fluid loss, then fluid retention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
O-ring seal devices are employed to seal the annular gap between the stationary structure and rotating structure. These flexible thin-film seals effectively prevent fluid loss while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing requirements, as O-rings are standard components that can be easily installed and replaced without complex manufacturing processes
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an assembly (10) for rotational equipment such as gas turbine engines, which includes a stationary structure (14) with at least one first fluid conduit (52) and a rotating structure (16) with at least one second fluid conduit (84) and at least one fluid scoop (96), which is a arranged within a corresponding recess. The fluid scoop (96) protrudes into an annlar plenum (130) between the rotating structure (16) and the stationary structure (14). Rotation motion of the rotating structure (16) will force fluide from the annular plenum (130) into the radially extending second fluid conduits (84) towards a central fluid flow passages (118) for conveying the fluid axially towards, e.g., a nozzle (66) for spraying the fluid into a cavity within a shaft (60). The fluid may be used to lubricate and/or cool a shaft spline (138).