Partial Arc Gutter for Bearing Compartment Oil Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine engine designs face inefficiencies due to oil slung from seal plates not being effectively captured and managed, leading to potential heat generation and reduced engine efficiency from uncontrolled oil flow within bearing compartments.
Innovation Solution
A partial arc gutter system is implemented, with a radially-open inlet section and radially-closed main passageway, designed to collect and direct oil slung from the seal plate to an outlet, preventing churn and promoting efficient oil recirculation, thereby reducing weight and cost while maintaining high efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a full circumferential gutter is used to capture oil slung from the seal plate, then oil capture effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing a gutter that extends only through a portion of the bearing compartment circumference rather than fully around it. This partial gutter configuration is sufficient to capture the oil slung from the seal plate while reducing the amount of material and structural complexity compared to a complete circumferential gutter.
2Reliability
If a full circumferential gutter is used to capture oil slung from the seal plate, then oil capture effectiveness is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gutter is implemented as a partial arc structure extending only through the necessary portion of the bearing compartment circumference. This reduces the volume and mass of material required while maintaining sufficient oil capture capability for the intended application.
3Device complexity
If oil is not effectively captured from the seal plate, then device complexity is reduced, but heat generation increases and engine efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of slung oil (which could cause heat generation and efficiency losses) into a beneficial outcome by using the centrifugal force and flow path of the slung oil to direct it into the gutter. The gutter then channels this oil to the scavenge pump, transforming what would be a harmful uncontrolled flow into a controlled recirculation 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
The gutter system effectively captures and drains oil slung from the seal plate, preventing heat generation and improving engine efficiency by reducing oil-related inefficiencies and enhancing lubricant management within the bearing compartments.
Implementation Method 1
oil slung from the seal plate
Implementation Method 2
preventing heat generation and improving engine efficiency by reducing oil-related inefficiencies
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A gas turbine engine (20) according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes, among other things, a bearing compartment (60), a seal assembly (64) configured to establish a seal (66) of the bearing compartment (60). The seal assembly (64) includes a seal plate (68). The gas turbine engine (20) further includes a gutter (78) configured to collect oil (F) slung from the seal plate (68). The gutter (78) extends only partially around the seal plate (68). A method is also disclosed.