Integrated Sump Heat Exchanger for Gas Turbine Lubrication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas turbine engines face challenges with lubrication oil circulation systems that disrupt airflow through the core air flowpath due to the presence of supply and scavenge lines, leading to increased weight, complexity, and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A self-contained lubrication fluid circulation system within the sump of a gas turbine engine, featuring a heat source and heat sink coupled in fluid communication, with a lubrication fluid conduit positioned entirely within the sump to channel lubrication fluid without crossing the core air flowpath, enabling in-sump lubrication pumping, filtration, and conditioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If supply lines and scavenge lines extend through the core air flowpath to reach bearings and sumps, then lubrication oil can be delivered to bearings and scavenged from sumps, but the airflow through the core air flowpath is disrupted and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication deliveryVSAvoidfluid lines through core air flowpath

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the heat exchanger directly into the sump structure, merging two previously separate components (heat exchanger and sump) into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate fluid lines extending from the sump to an external heat exchanger, thereby reducing the complexity of fluid lines through the core air flowpath while maintaining reliable lubrication delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If external heat exchanger is used with separate fluid lines, then lubrication oil cooling is achieved, but weight increases and space constraints are imposed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication oil coolingVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is merged with the sump structure, creating an integrated unit that eliminates redundant components and connecting fluid lines. This integration reduces the overall system weight while maintaining the lubrication oil cooling function, as the heat exchanger now utilizes the sump's structural mass and eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and piping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Speed

If heat exchanger is positioned outside the core air flowpath, then airflow is maintained, but heat exchanger size is constrained by under-cowl space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow through coreVSAvoidheat exchanger size

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the heat exchanger into the sump, the design eliminates the constraint of under-cowl space for heat exchanger placement. The heat exchanger now occupies space within the sump structure itself, allowing for a larger heat exchange area without compromising airflow through the core, as the heat exchanger is positioned within the engine's internal structure rather than in the limited under-cowl space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If multiple separate components are used for lubrication circulation, then functional requirements are met, but system complexity and number of parts increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication circulation functionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heat exchanger and sump into a single integrated component, reducing the total number of parts in the lubrication circulation system. This integration maintains all necessary functions (oil collection, cooling, and circulation) while simplifying the system architecture, thereby reducing complexity and potentially improving ease of operation through fewer connection points and maintenance interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 the need for scavenge lines and pumps, decreases weight and complexity, minimizes fluid lines through the core air flowpath, and enhances engine efficiency by eliminating under-cowl heat exchanger size constraints, allowing for more space and improved airflow.

Implementation Method 1

a heat source coupled in fluid communication with the sump and configured to transfer heat to the lubrication fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a heat sink positioned within the sump and coupled in fluid communication with the heat source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10539076B2Self-contained lubrication cooling system with heat exchanger integrated with sump

Publication Date: 2020.01.21 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A self-contained lubrication fluid circulation system for use with a gas turbine engine defining a core air flowpath includes a sump configured to collect lubrication fluid and a heat source coupled in fluid communication with the sump and configured to transfer heat to the lubrication fluid. The system also includes a heat sink positioned within the sump and coupled in fluid communication with the heat source. A lubrication fluid conduit of the system is configured to channel the lubrication fluid between the heat source and the heat sink, wherein the lubrication fluid conduit is positioned entirely within the sump.