Gas Turbine Oil Tank Isolation for Depressurization and Negative G
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lubrication systems for gas turbine engines are inadequate in maintaining oil supply to critical components during harsh operating conditions such as depressurization events or negative gravity, which can lead to severe part degradation and engine failure.
Innovation Solution
An oil supply system comprising a main oil tank, an auxiliary oil tank, and a tank sharing valve that isolates the main tank during depressurization events, with an auxiliary supply conduit and pump ensuring continuous oil flow to the engine's critical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single oil tank is used in the lubrication system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of oil supply deteriorates under harsh operating conditions such as depressurization events or negative gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The single oil tank is segmented into a main oil tank and an auxiliary oil tank. The main oil tank serves as the primary oil supply during normal operations, while the auxiliary oil tank provides backup oil supply during harsh operating conditions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability without significantly increasing overall complexity, as the tanks can share common piping and control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary oil tank is pre-positioned and pre-filled with oil in anticipation of potential depressurization events or negative gravity conditions. The tank sharing valve is pre-configured to automatically or manually switch between tanks, ensuring that oil supply continuity is maintained without requiring complex real-time decision-making systems.
2Reliability
If the main oil tank is isolated during depressurization events, then the reliability of oil supply is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional valves and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The tank sharing valve system extracts and isolates the main oil tank from the oil supply line during depressurization events, directing oil flow exclusively from the auxiliary oil tank. This extraction approach allows the main tank to be sealed off and potentially pressurized or repaired without affecting the continuous operation of the lubrication system, thereby maintaining reliability while using a relatively simple valve mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank sharing valve acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the main oil tank and the auxiliary oil tank, controlling which tank supplies oil to the engine. This intermediary valve simplifies the overall system by providing a single point of control for tank selection, avoiding the need for complex multi-valve arrangements or active control systems.
3Reliability
If an auxiliary oil pump is added to ensure continuous oil flow, then the reliability of lubrication is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary oil pump is designed to operate dynamically, activating only when the tank sharing valve switches to the auxiliary oil tank during harsh operating conditions. During normal operations, the auxiliary pump remains inactive, and oil is supplied solely by the main oil tank's natural pressure or a primary pump. This dynamic operation minimizes energy consumption while ensuring reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary oil pump is configured to draw oil directly from the auxiliary oil tank, which is positioned to utilize gravity and pressure differentials to facilitate oil flow into the pump inlet. This self-service arrangement reduces the energy required by the auxiliary pump, as it does not need to overcome significant head pressures or lift oil from low positions, thereby minimizing energy consumption while maintaining lubrication reliability.
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 system effectively maintains oil supply to critical engine components even in extreme conditions, preventing degradation and failure by isolating the main tank and utilizing the auxiliary tank to ensure continuous lubrication.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary oil pump is fluidly coupled to the auxiliary supply conduit for providing a flow of auxiliary oil to the gas turbine engine
Implementation Method 2
a tank sharing valve fluidly coupling the main oil tank and the auxiliary oil tank, the tank sharing valve being movable to a closed position to prevent the oil from flowing from the auxiliary oil tank to the main oil tank
Data Source
AI summary
An oil supply system and a method for operating the same to provide oil to a gas turbine engine in a variety of harsh operating conditions is provided. The oil supply system includes a main oil tank and an auxiliary oil tank which share oil through a tank sharing valve that may be closed if a depressurization event occurs in the main oil tank. The oil supply system further includes an auxiliary supply conduit and an auxiliary oil pump for providing oil to the gas turbine engine in the event of main oil tank depressurization or in negative gravity conditions where the oil within the auxiliary oil tank rises to the top of the tank and uncovers the oil pump supply.