Gas Turbine Oil Control Module Consolidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine jet aircraft lubricating systems have complex component distributions that lead to numerous oil tubes and connections, making them costly, heavy, and difficult to maintain, especially in limited engine design spaces.
Innovation Solution
An oil control module (OCM) is developed to consolidate various lubricating system components within a single housing, reducing the need for multiple oil tubes and connections by integrating components such as valves, sensors, and filters, and using plug-like devices to regulate oil flow, thereby simplifying maintenance and packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If various lubricating system components are distributed separately throughout the engine, then each component can be independently maintained and replaced, but numerous oil tubes and connections are required, increasing system complexity, weight, and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple lubricating system components (valves, filters, sensors, orifices) into a single integrated oil control module housing. This merging eliminates the need for numerous separate oil tubes and connections between distributed components, directly reducing system complexity while maintaining ease of repair through modular replacement of the entire OCM unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The oil control module housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains and integrates various lubricating components, provides structural support, manages oil flow distribution, and facilitates maintenance access. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of separate components and connections needed in the lubricating system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If numerous oil tubes and connections are used to connect distributed lubricating system components, then each component can be independently positioned, but the system becomes heavier and more costly
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple lubricating components into a single OCM housing, the patent eliminates the weight of numerous oil tubes and connections that would be required to connect distributed components. The integrated design maintains adaptability through the modular nature of the OCM, which can be positioned as a single unit within the engine's limited design space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If numerous oil tubes and connections are used to connect distributed lubricating system components, then each component can be independently positioned, but the cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of multiple lubricating components into a single OCM housing reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for numerous separate oil tubes, connections, and associated assembly operations. The modular OCM design maintains positioning flexibility while reducing overall system cost through simplified manufacturing and assembly.
4Ease of repair
If lubricating system components are distributed throughout the engine, then components can be accessed independently for maintenance, but the maintenance of the lubricating system becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple lubricating components into a single OCM housing that can be accessed and replaced as one modular unit. This approach simplifies maintenance operations by reducing the complexity of servicing multiple distributed components while maintaining accessibility through the OCM's strategic positioning within the engine.
5Adaptability or versatility
If various lubricating system components are distributed throughout the engine, then each component can be independently designed, but the hardware packaging becomes difficult in limited engine design space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple lubricating components into a single compact OCM housing, dramatically reducing the volume required for lubricating system components within the engine. This integration maintains design independence through modular component selection while solving the packaging problem in limited engine design space.
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 OCM reduces weight and cost, simplifies maintenance, and improves hardware packaging in limited spaces by consolidating components, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the lubricating system.
Implementation Method 1
plug-like devices defining orifices located within the housing and configured to passively regulate the flow of oil
Data Source
AI summary
An oil control module for a gas turbine engine is provided comprising a housing on which numerous components of a lubricating system are mounted. The components may include a variable oil reduction valve/shuttle valve, a main oil pressure sensor, a main oil temperature sensor, a main oil filter delta pressure sensor, an oil debris monitor, a lube filter, an active oil damper valve, a cool oil orifice, a knock down orifice and a lube trim orifice. By packing numerous lubricating system components onto or within a housing located adjacent to the gas turbine engine, the oil control module reduces cost and weight and simplifies the maintenance of the lubricating system.