Generator Sump Cover Assembly for Low-Pressure Oil Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft generator scavenger pumps become less effective at suctioning lubricant from the sump basin at pressures below 6 psia, leading to reduced performance and potential hardware damage due to air suction instead of oil at high altitudes.
Innovation Solution
A sump cover with a multi-point mounting configuration and a perimeter flow recess that extends beyond the sump cover shell, creating a fluid flow path to facilitate oil suction by the scavenger pump even at low pressures, ensuring effective lubricant recirculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional sump cover design is used, then the structure is simple, but the scavenger pump becomes less effective at suctioning lubricant at pressures below 6 psia
Solution Approach 1:
The sump cover is segmented into multiple functional features: a sump cover support extending outwardly to fit through the sump port, multiple fastener features for secure mounting, and a perimeter flow recess creating fluid flow paths. This segmentation allows each feature to address specific aspects of the suction problem, improving overall pump effectiveness at low pressures
Solution Approach 2:
The perimeter flow recess creates a three-dimensional fluid flow path between the sump cover and sump basin, adding a vertical dimension to the fluid dynamics. This dimensional change facilitates oil suction by creating pressure differentials and flow channels that enhance scavenger pump performance even at pressures as low as 6 psia
2Reliability
If the sump cover support extends past the perimeter edge, then oil suction is facilitated, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sump cover support is merged with the sump cover shell as an integrated component rather than a separate part. This consolidation simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of components and assembly steps, while still providing the necessary function of extending past the perimeter edge to facilitate oil suction and maintain reliable lubricant recirculation
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 sump cover design enhances the scavenger pump's ability to suction oil from the sump basin at pressures as low as 6 psia, preventing air suction and maintaining generator performance and reducing the risk of hardware damage at high altitudes.
Implementation Method 1
The sump cover support and the first plurality of fastener features define a multi-point mounting configuration between the sump cover and the sump basin... facilitating oil suction by the scavenger pump even at low pressures
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a sump cover for a sump basin of a generator of an aircraft, the sump cover having: a sump cover shell shaped as an inverted bowl, a front portion of the sump cover shell including a first plurality of fastener features, each configured to fasten to one of a second plurality of fastener features in the sump basin; and a sump cover support extending outwardly from the sump cover shell, past a perimeter edge of the sump cover shell, configured to fit through a sump port and against a sump tube of the sump basin, wherein the sump cover support and the first plurality of fastener features define a multi-point mounting configuration between the sump cover and the sump basin.