Turbomachine Oil Deflector Coating for Faster Oil Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In aircraft turbomachines, the recirculation of hot oil from mechanical reduction gears leads to increased ventilation losses, temperature rise, reduced lubrication efficiency, and higher oil consumption, due to the oil's high viscosity and spreading on metal surfaces, which are not effectively addressed by existing oil deflectors and collectors.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical part with hydrophobic and/or lipophobic coatings or surface texturing is applied to the oil deflectors or collectors, reducing the oil's spreading coefficient and facilitating its flow, thereby accelerating oil evacuation and recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If oil deflectors or collectors with metal surfaces are used to evacuate oil from planet gears, then oil evacuation is achieved, but the oil spreads on the metal surfaces increasing contact area and flow time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydrophobic and/or lipophobic coatings to the metal surfaces of oil deflectors or collectors, fundamentally changing the surface properties from oil-attracting to oil-repelling. This parameter change in surface chemistry reduces the spreading coefficient of oil, causing it to form droplets rather than spreading films, thereby accelerating oil flow and reducing evacuation time and oil consumption
2Reliability
If oil flows slowly over the surfaces of mechanical parts, then lubrication is maintained, but the oil is disturbed by ventilation air and recirculation problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
By modifying the surface energy characteristics through hydrophobic and/or lipophobic coatings, the patent changes the interaction between oil and surface. The reduced spreading coefficient causes oil to bead up and flow faster, ensuring that oil evacuation occurs quickly enough to avoid disturbance by ventilation air, thus eliminating recirculation problems while maintaining lubrication efficiency
3Reliability
If the spreading coefficient of oil on metal surfaces is high, then oil adheres to surfaces for lubrication, but oil flow and evacuation are slowed down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydrophobic and/or lipophobic coatings that fundamentally alter the surface energy parameters. These coatings reduce the spreading coefficient so that oil forms discrete droplets with high contact angle rather than spreading films, enabling rapid coalescence and flow while still providing adequate lubrication during the brief contact period
Solution Approach 2:
The reduced spreading coefficient caused by the hydrophobic and/or lipophobic coatings promotes spherical droplet formation rather than flat spreading. This spheroidality of oil droplets minimizes surface contact area and maximizes gravitational and centrifugal forces acting on the oil, thereby accelerating flow and evacuation speeds
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 solution enhances oil flow and reduces oil consumption by minimizing its contact with the surface, mitigating the adverse effects of ventilation air and improving the efficiency of oil recycling in turbomachines.
Implementation Method 1
comprises a coating that is more hydrophobic and/or lipophobic than said surface or a surface texturing rendering said surface more hydrophobic and/or lipophobic
Implementation Method 2
comprises a coating that is more hydrophobic and/or lipophobic than said surface or a surface texturing rendering said surface more hydrophobic and/or lipophobic
Implementation Method 3
the planet gears of the reduction gear centrifugally spray hot oil to the adjacent planet gears
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical part for an aircraft turbomachine is made of metal and includes at least one profiled surface configured to ensure an oil flow during operation. The surface has a hydrophobic and/or lipophobic coating or a surface texturing rendering the surface hydrophobic and/or lipophobic.