Aircraft Lubrication Pump Groove Layout for Low Pressure Pulsation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft turbomachine lubrication systems experience pressure pulsations due to positive displacement pumps, leading to premature component failure and the need for oversized components, which increases engine mass.
Innovation Solution
A fluid pump design with a rotor and ring configuration, featuring grooves that gradually pressurize cavities to the discharge space pressure during rotation, reducing or eliminating pressure pulsations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If positive displacement pumps are used to generate oil flow, then the lubrication system can deliver required flow rates, but pressure pulsations occur at the outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-pressurizing the cavities through grooves before the cavities discharge fluid. The grooves allow pressure to gradually build up in the cavities during rotation, preparing the fluid for smooth discharge and eliminating sudden pressure pulsations at the outlet while maintaining the required flow rate from the positive displacement pump
2Reliability
If components are oversized to prevent premature failure from pressure pulsations, then component reliability improves, but engine mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-pressurizing cavities through grooves before discharge, the system eliminates pressure pulsations that cause pulsation fatigue. This allows components to be sized appropriately for their actual operating conditions rather than being oversized to withstand excessive pulsations, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing engine mass
3Device complexity
If pressure pulsations are not controlled, then the pump structure remains simple, but component integrity deteriorates due to pulsation fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The groove structure provides a simple yet effective solution by pre-pressurizing cavities before discharge. This preliminary pressure buildup action eliminates harmful pressure pulsations and prevents pulsation fatigue, improving component integrity without adding complex control systems or multiple components
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 pump design extends the lifespan of lubrication system components, prevents premature failure, and avoids oversizing, maintaining a reduced engine mass.
Implementation Method 1
Since aircraft pumps are positive displacement pumps, they deliver a flow rate
Implementation Method 2
a groove being formed to bring the cavities to the pressure of the discharge space during the rotation of the rotor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid pump (1) for an aircraft turbomachine, the pump comprising an immobile crown (10) having a wall (13) and having a pipe (12) pass therethrough along a central axis (101), a rotor (20) capable of rotating relative to the crown (10) on a main axis (100) which is offset relative to the central axis (101), cavities between the crown and the rotor, the volume of the cavities varying depending on the angular position of the rotor relative to the crown, a radial inlet space (16) passing through the wall (13) for intaking fluid into the cavities and a radial outlet space (11) for discharging fluid from the cavities, the pressure in the outlet space being higher than the pressure in the inlet space, and a groove (15) subjecting the cavities to the pressure of the outlet space when the rotor rotates, which groove passes through the wall and opens into the outlet space (11). The invention also relates to a lubrication circuit with such a pump, as well as to an aircraft turbomachine with such a circuit.