Turbomachine Gearbox Mounting via Axial Frame Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines with reduction gearboxes often require a bolstered compressor forward frame to support rotating components, leading to a heavier engine due to the gearbox obstructing the compressor center frame, which hinders efficient fan operation.
Innovation Solution
A mounting configuration for the gearbox within the gas turbine engine that allows the compressor center frame to support rotating components forward of the gearbox, utilizing a frame member with slots for planet gears and a sun gear positioned inward, and a ring gear outward, enabling efficient support and rotation without the need for additional structural bolstering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the gearbox is positioned within the gas turbine engine to reduce fan rotational speed, then fan efficiency is improved, but the compressor center frame cannot support rotating components forward of the gearbox, requiring additional structural bolstering and increasing engine weight
Solution Approach 1:
The frame member is designed to extend through the gearbox assembly in the axial direction, moving from a conventional lateral support approach to a longitudinal support approach. This dimensional change allows the frame member to bypass the gearbox obstruction and provide support structure forward of the gearbox, eliminating the need for additional bolstering while maintaining fan efficiency improvements from the reduction gearbox
2Productivity
If the gearbox is positioned within the gas turbine engine to reduce fan rotational speed, then fan efficiency is improved, but additional structural bolstering is required, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The frame member is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the gearbox assembly, extends forward of the gearbox to support rotating components, and eliminates the need for separate bolstering structures. This multi-functionality reduces structural complexity while maintaining fan efficiency improvements
3Ease of operation
If the frame member extends through the gearbox with slots for planet gears, then support for rotating components forward of the gearbox is enabled, but the gearbox design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The planet gears are positioned within slots in the frame member, nesting the gear components within the structural framework. This arrangement allows the frame member to extend through the gearbox while providing support functionality, and the nested configuration minimizes the additional complexity by integrating support and gear functions into a unified structure
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine includes a frame member extending generally along an axial direction and defining a plurality of slots spaced along a circumferential direction; and a gearbox including a ring gear, a plurality of planet gears, and a sun gear, the plurality of planet gears each positioned at least partially in a respective slot of the plurality of slots defined by the frame member such that the frame member extends through the gearbox.