Turbine Geartrain Support Plenum for Consistent Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing geartrains for aircraft propulsion systems face challenges in efficiently supporting rotational components and ensuring adequate lubrication, particularly in varying operational modes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed engine assembly incorporates a geartrain with a sun gear, ring gear, intermediate gears, and a carrier, along with a rotating structure and support structure that includes a plenum for fluid coupling, facilitating lubricant delivery and rotational support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a geartrain is used in an aircraft propulsion system, then power transmission is achieved, but lubrication and rotational support become challenging particularly in varying operational modes
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides rotational support for the carrier and delivers lubrication to the geartrain components. The fluid passage system is integrated into the support structure, allowing it to function both as a mechanical support and as a lubrication delivery system, eliminating the need for separate lubrication components.
Solution Approach 2:
A fluid (lubricant) is used as an intermediary to transfer both support and lubrication functions. The fluid passage system uses the fluid to simultaneously provide hydraulic support for rotation and lubrication to the gear teeth and bearings, resolving the contradiction by using a single medium for dual purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rotational components are supported in varying operational modes, then adaptability is improved, but ensuring adequate lubrication across all modes becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed to dynamically adapt to varying operational modes while maintaining continuous lubrication delivery. The fluid passage system is configured to provide lubrication regardless of the rotational state or operational mode, ensuring that lubrication adequacy is maintained across all dynamic conditions through pressure-driven fluid delivery.
3Ease of manufacture
If a plenum is used for fluid coupling, then lubricant delivery is simplified, but the structure requires circumscribing the rotating component
Solution Approach 1:
The plenum is nested within the support structure, with the fluid passage system integrated into the annular space between the support structure and the rotating carrier. This nesting approach simplifies manufacturing by combining multiple functions into a single integrated component while minimizing the volume occupied by the support structure.
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 configuration enhances the efficiency and reliability of the geartrain by ensuring consistent lubrication and rotational support across different operational modes, thereby improving the overall performance and durability of the aircraft propulsion system.
Implementation Method 1
The plenum fluidly couples the support structure passage to the rotating structure passage
Implementation Method 2
The support structure circumscribes the shaft with a plenum formed by and radially between the support structure and the shaft
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An engine assembly includes a geartrain (72), a rotating structure (146) and a support structure (148). The geartrain (72) includes a sun gear (98), a ring gear (100), a plurality of intermediate gears (102) and a carrier (104). The intermediate gears are arranged circumferentially about the axis (28; 40; 106) in an array. Each of the intermediate gears is radially between and meshed with the sun gear and the ring gear and rotatably mounted to the carrier. The rotating structure forms the carrier and includes a shaft (152) and a rotating structure passage (154). The support structure (148) circumscribes the shaft with a plenum (174) formed by and radially between the support structure (148) and the shaft (152). The support structure includes a support structure passage (170). The plenum fluidly couples the support structure passage to the rotating structure passage.