Non-Circular Oil Nozzle Geometry for Bearing Oil Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing lubrication systems in gas turbine engines face inefficiencies due to geometrical constrictions, thermal/mechanical deflections, and 'brooming' of oil flow, which limit the oil capture efficiency on target areas, particularly in the bearing compartments.
Innovation Solution
A lubrication system featuring a nozzle with a non-circular exit, such as an elliptical or racetrack shape, oriented with a greater width than height, is used to provide a wider spray pattern, enhancing oil delivery to target areas within the bearing compartments, including those with rotating structures and spacers, and utilizing a reservoir and pump for lubricant distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If circular holes are used in the nozzle to deliver oil at high volumes, then the total oil flow is increased, but the oil capture efficiency is reduced due to brooming and geometrical constrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle exit is changed from a circular (symmetric) cross-section to a non-circular cross-section with different dimensions in orthogonal directions. This asymmetric geometry creates a directional spray pattern that adapts to the specific geometry of the target area, improving oil capture efficiency by reducing brooming effects and geometrical constrictions while maintaining high volume delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The spray characteristics are made non-uniform by using a non-circular exit geometry, creating different spray densities and patterns in different directions. This local variation in spray quality allows the oil to better conform to the target area geometry, particularly for non-circular target areas, thereby improving capture efficiency without sacrificing total flow
2Reliability
If axial and radial oil scoops are used to increase oil reaching the target area, then the oil capture efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and geometrical constrictions are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the oil redirection function from separate scoop components and integrates it directly into the nozzle exit geometry itself. The non-circular exit shape inherently directs the spray pattern to match the target area, eliminating the need for additional scoop components and their associated geometrical constrictions while maintaining improved oil capture efficiency
3Quantity of substance
If the nozzle is designed to deliver high volume oil flow, then the lubrication coverage is increased, but the spray pattern becomes non-uniform due to brooming
Solution Approach 1:
The non-circular exit geometry creates an asymmetric spray pattern that is intentionally non-uniform in distribution but uniformly effective in coverage. By matching the spray pattern asymmetry to the target area asymmetry, the design achieves uniform lubrication coverage across the target area while maintaining high total flow volume, eliminating the harmful brooming effect
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 non-circular nozzle design improves lubricant distribution efficiency, reducing wear and maintenance needs by ensuring a more uniform and effective lubrication of components, even in close-gapped areas, and enhancing oil collection within the engine.
Implementation Method 1
The exit is configured to spray a lubricant on a target area of a component
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine includes an engine static structure. A rotating structure is configured to rotate relative to the engine static structure. The rotating structure has a target area with first and second directions. The first direction is greater than the second direction. A lubrication system includes a nozzle having a non-circular exit aimed at the target area. The exit provides a width and a height. The width is greater than the height. The width is oriented in the first direction.