Oblique Scoop Assembly for Lubricant Collection Under Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radial scoops in rotational equipment, such as gas turbine engines, face inefficiencies in collecting lubricant due to splash-off and misalignment issues, leading to inconsistent fluid distribution and potential component starvation.
Innovation Solution
The proposed assembly includes a rotatable body with obliquely extending scoop apertures and a lubricant injector that directs fluid jets into the scoop apertures, with a secondary scoop arm to collect splashed fluid, ensuring consistent lubricant collection and distribution across the rotational axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a radial scoop is used to collect lubricant in rotational equipment, then lubricant collection is achieved, but splash-off causes inconsistent fluid distribution and potential component starvation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directs fluid jets onto the rotatable body surface to intentionally create controlled splash-off, converting the harmful random splash into a beneficial mechanism that directs lubricant along the body surface into the scoop aperture, thereby improving collection consistency while reducing uncontrolled loss
Solution Approach 2:
The injector directs fluid jets onto the rotatable body surface before the scoop aperture reaches the injection zone, pre-positioning the lubricant on the surface so that when the scoop aperture arrives, the fluid is already in optimal position for collection, ensuring consistent distribution
2Reliability
If the scoop aperture is positioned to collect fluid, then fluid collection is improved, but axial misalignment between injector and scoop reduces collection efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the scoop aperture obliquely through the rotatable body at an angle rather than radially, creating a three-dimensional aperture that spans multiple positions. This angular extension allows the aperture to maintain overlap with the fluid jet trajectory even when axial misalignment occurs, providing tolerance for position variations
Solution Approach 2:
The oblique scoop aperture is divided into multiple zones along its length, with different sections capable of intercepting fluid jets at different axial positions, allowing the system to maintain effective collection across a range of misalignment conditions
3Quantity of substance
If a single scoop aperture is used, then device complexity is reduced, but fluid distribution coverage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs scoop apertures with asymmetric angular orientations relative to the rotational axis, allowing each aperture to cover a specific sector of the rotation. This asymmetric configuration enables comprehensive fluid distribution coverage across different rotational positions while maintaining a relatively simple single-scoop structure
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 configuration enhances lubricant collection efficiency, maintains fluid delivery during axial misalignment, and ensures continuous lubrication and cooling of components, improving the operational reliability of rotational equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The injector is configured to direct a first fluid jet from the first nozzle orifice into an inlet of the first scoop aperture. The injector is also configured to direct a second fluid jet from the second nozzle orifice into the inlet of the first scoop aperture.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly is provided for rotational equipment. This assembly includes a first rotatable body and an injector. The first rotatable body extends axially along and circumferentially about a rotational axis. The first rotatable body includes a first scoop with a first scoop aperture that extends obliquely through the first rotatable body. The injector includes a first nozzle orifice and a second nozzle orifice. The injector is configured to direct a first fluid jet from the first nozzle orifice into an inlet of the first scoop aperture. The injector is further configured to direct a second fluid jet from the second nozzle orifice into the inlet of the first scoop aperture.