Oil Pump Transfer Plate for Gas Turbine Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face inefficiencies due to the risk of non-uniform lubricant supply when a single pump draws from multiple sources, as it can lead to reduced performance if one source dries up, affecting the overall lubrication system's efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A pump assembly with separate stages dedicated to each lubricant source, where each stage is sealed to prevent dry-running and maintain lubricant supply continuity, ensuring that even if one source is dry, the other stage can continue to operate effectively, with a lubricant pool forming a dam to prevent leakage and maintain performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pump draws from multiple lubricant sources, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of non-uniform lubricant supply when one source dries up
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into multiple independent stages, with each stage dedicated to a specific lubricant source. This segmentation allows each stage to operate independently, preventing the entire system from failing when one source becomes dry, thus resolving the contradiction between simplified structure and reliable operation.
2Reliability
If separate pump stages are used for each lubricant source, then lubricant supply reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pump stages are merged into a single integrated pump assembly with a common casing and shared mechanical components. This merging approach maintains reliability through separate stages while controlling complexity by consolidating the overall structure, resolving the contradiction between reliable operation and structural simplicity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If stages are sealed to prevent dry-running, then lubricant supply stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Flexible sealing elements and thin film barriers are used to create effective seals between stages while maintaining manufacturability. These sealing solutions provide the necessary isolation to prevent dry-running and maintain stable lubricant supply without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pump assembly includes a first stage including a first inlet in communication with a first cavity, and a first pumping means disposed within the first cavity. A second stage includes a second inlet in communication with a second cavity, an outlet in communication with both the first and the second cavity, and a second pumping means disposed within the second cavity. A transfer plate is disposed between the first stage and the second stage. The transfer plate includes a transfer window. The entire transfer window is disposed horizontally above the first pumping means and the second pumping means.