Jet Engine Transmission Oil Distribution Centrifugal Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing oil distribution system in jet engine transmissions fails to adequately accelerate oil to the planet wheel bearings, leading to a risk of undersupply due to insufficient wall friction, resulting in inadequate lubrication and potential operational issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an acceleration device within the oil distribution system that utilizes centrifugal force to create a radial oil flow, either through wall-like elements or porous materials, ensuring efficient oil supply to the desired areas without relying on pressure or wall friction, thereby ensuring consistent lubrication to the planet wheel bearings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If oil is introduced into the collecting channel without pressure, then the structure is simple, but the oil is not accelerated sufficiently to reach the planet wheel bearings
Solution Approach 1:
The collecting channel is designed with a specific geometry that preliminarily accelerates the oil flow before it reaches the distribution points. The channel's shape creates a velocity gradient that prepares the oil for effective distribution to the planet wheel bearings, addressing the speed deficiency without adding complex active acceleration components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic principles where the oil's own kinetic energy and pressure gradients, generated by the rotating planet carrier, are harnessed to accelerate and distribute the oil. The design exploits fluid dynamics to achieve sufficient oil velocity to the bearings without external pressurization systems.
2Device complexity
If wall friction is relied upon to accelerate oil, then no additional components are needed, but the acceleration is insufficient for adequate lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The collecting channel geometry is designed to preliminarily accelerate the oil flow through its shape, creating a velocity profile that ensures reliable oil delivery. This preliminary acceleration action compensates for insufficient wall friction while maintaining system simplicity without additional active components.
3Device complexity
If oil is supplied only during normal operation, then the system is simple, but undersupply occurs during startup or low-speed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system stores oil in the collecting channel during normal operation, creating a reservoir effect. During startup or low-speed operation when centrifugal forces are insufficient, this stored oil is gradually released to the bearings, ensuring continuous lubrication. The channel acts as a buffer that decouples oil supply from immediate operational demands.
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 effectively supplies hydraulic fluid to the transmission, preventing undersupply states and maintaining operational efficiency by leveraging centrifugal force to generate the necessary radial flow, reducing dependence on back pressure and pressure loss, and allowing for self-adjustment based on liquid levels.
Implementation Method 1
the acceleration device arranged in the catchment area accelerates the oil in the circumferential direction of the catchment area during operation of the oil distribution system. This acceleration ultimately results in the radial oil flow required for the oil supply in the collecting area, starting from the radially inner area in the direction of the radially outer area, for which the centrifugal force acting on the oil and acting outwards in the radial direction is used.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A gearbox (5) with an oil distribution system (17) is described. A first region (18) is at least approximately rotationally symmetrical and, in its radially inner region (20), is formed at least partially with at least one opening (21). During operation, oil from a second region (19) can be introduced into the first region (18) through the opening (21) without contact. The first region (18) comprises, downstream of the opening (21) and in the radial direction (R) and circumferential direction (U) of the first region (18), a collection region (22) extending in the radial direction (R) and circumferential direction (U) of the first region (18). At least one acceleration device (28) for the oil, fixedly connected to the first region (18), is provided in the collection region (22). This device allows the oil present in the collection region (22) to be subjected to a substantially radial flow in the direction of a radially outer region (29) of the collection region (22) when the first region (18) is rotating.A section (48) of the gearbox (5) provided downstream of the outlet opening (43) can additionally be brought into operative communication with or is in operative communication with a main oil supply circuit (49) of a jet engine (1).