Impeller Fan Assembly Screw Pump Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft fan systems with grease-packed bearings face frequent maintenance due to rapid grease deterioration at high temperatures and speeds, requiring frequent removal of fan components for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An impeller fan assembly with a screw pump system that circulates oil to lubricate bearings, allowing for maintenance without removing the fan from the aircraft, using a sump and screw pump to ensure lubrication in both horizontal and vertical orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If grease-packed bearings are used in high temperature and high rotational speed environments, then the fan can operate in harsh conditions, but the grease deteriorates quickly requiring frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the lubricant parameter from grease to oil, which has superior high-temperature stability and resistance to deterioration. This parameter change allows the bearing lubrication system to maintain effectiveness in high-temperature, high-speed environments without rapid degradation, directly resolving the contradiction between operating temperature capability and lubrication durability.
2Device complexity
If grease-packed bearings are used, then the fan can be simplified in structure, but maintenance requires complete removal of the fan from the aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bearing assembly into a modular cartridge structure that can be independently removed from the fan housing. This segmentation allows the bearing cartridge to be accessed and replaced without completely disassembling the fan or removing it from the aircraft, thus maintaining structural simplicity while dramatically improving maintenance accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing cartridge is extracted as a separate, removable component from the fan assembly. This extraction enables the bearing to be serviced independently through accessible ports in the fan housing, eliminating the need for complete fan removal and simplifying the maintenance process while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
3Ease of repair
If the fan is designed for easy maintenance, then maintenance frequency can be reduced, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lubrication reservoir, pump, filtration system, and bearing cartridge into an integrated modular assembly. This consolidation provides easy maintenance through a single accessible service point while avoiding the complexity of separate, distributed lubrication components. The merged design reduces maintenance frequency by ensuring reliable lubrication delivery without adding significant structural complexity.
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 reduces maintenance frequency, prolongs fan service life, and provides cost savings by allowing oil changes without disassembly, enhancing reliability and efficiency while maintaining all-attitude operation with reduced weight and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a screw pump provided within the hollow portion of the shaft and having a screw pump inlet fluidly coupled to the sump and a screw pump outlet in fluid communication with the bearings, whereby rotation of the screw pump pumps fluid from the sump to the bearings
Data Source
AI summary
An impeller fan assembly that includes a housing, a stator, a rotor having a hub and an annular array of non-stationary blades extending from the hub, at least two spaced apart bearings mounted to the stator, and a pump in fluid communication with the bearings to provide fluid to the bearings.