Oil Deaerator Stabilizing Wall for Compact Turbomachine Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil deaeration systems for turbomachines, such as those in aircraft, require large buffer volumes to ensure complete deaeration, leading to oversized tanks and inefficient use of space.
Innovation Solution
An oil tank with a stabilizing wall that limits oil passages to less than 60% of the total wall section, allowing for a compact design while effectively separating air from oil, utilizing a curved dome-shaped wall and strategically positioned oil inlet and outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large buffer volume is provided in the tank to ensure complete deaeration, then the deaeration reliability is improved, but the tank size becomes excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The tank internal volume is segmented into multiple functional zones by the stabilizing wall: a first volume for initial deaeration receiving oil from the cyclone deaerator, and a second volume serving as a compact buffer zone. The stabilizing wall with controlled passage sections (less than 60% of total wall section) creates distinct functional regions that improve deaeration efficiency without requiring a large overall tank volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing wall is positioned at a specific location within the tank (at an average distance less than 60% of the stabilizing wall's average diameter from the bottom) and has locally optimized passage characteristics. This localized structural feature with controlled passage distribution (greater than 1% of total section) creates a focused deaeration zone that enhances overall system performance without increasing total tank volume.
2Volume of stationary object
If the passage section in the stabilizing wall is reduced to less than 60% of total wall section, then the buffer volume is reduced and tank size is minimized, but the oil flow capacity may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The passage section parameters are precisely controlled within specific ranges (1% to 60% of total stabilizing wall section) to optimize the balance between buffer volume reduction and adequate oil flow capacity. This parameter optimization allows the tank to maintain compact dimensions while ensuring sufficient oil throughput for the lubrication system.
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
Reduces the oil buffer volume, minimizing tank size and enhancing air separation efficiency, thus optimizing the deaeration process.
Implementation Method 1
the mixture of oil and air follows a spiral path, the oil being projected against a generally cylindrical wall and flowing towards the tank by gravity, and the air exhausting centrally upwards
Implementation Method 2
More traditional oil deaerators are of the cyclone type, where the mixture of oil and air follows a spiral path, the oil being projected against a generally cylindrical wall
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an oil deaeration device (2) for a turbomachine lubrication system, comprising a tank (4) comprising an internal volume (10) with a bottom (10.1), an oil outlet 18) on the bottom (10.1), and an oil inlet opposite the bottom (10.1); an oil deaerator (6) provided at the oil inlet of the tank (4); and a stabilizing wall (14) arranged in the internal volume (10) facing the bottom (10.1) and provided with at least one passage for the oil (14.1), so as to delimit a volume d stabilized buffer oil (12).