Passive Rotor Rotation During Gas Turbine Engine Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines and their internal components, such as bearings, are susceptible to damage from shock loads during transportation, leading to degradation and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A powerplant system that includes a gas turbine engine with a rotating structure and stationary structure, where an actuation system passively rotates the rotating structure about a rotational axis during transportation using an eccentric mass, spring, and damper to mitigate shock loads, thereby reducing the risk of brinelling and false brinelling in bearings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gas turbine engine is transported in a stationary position, then the structure is stable and easy to transport, but the bearings are susceptible to shock loads and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the stationary rotating structure into a dynamically rotating one during transportation. The actuation system uses an unbalanced mass to generate centrifugal forces that continuously rotate the rotating structure about its axis, converting a static configuration into a dynamic one that actively protects against shock loads while being transported.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs mechanical vibration by using an unbalanced mass on the actuation system to induce continuous rotational oscillations in the rotating structure. This vibration mechanism generates centrifugal forces that keep the bearing surfaces in constant motion, preventing brinelling and false brinelling caused by stationary shock loads during transportation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an actuation system is added to rotate the rotating structure during transportation, then shock load impact is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation system is designed to be self-powered, utilizing the kinetic energy from the movement of the gas turbine engine during transportation to drive the rotation of the rotating structure. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external power sources or complex control systems, reducing overall device complexity while effectively mitigating shock load impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The unbalanced mass acts as an intermediary element that converts the linear movement energy of the transported engine into rotational motion of the rotating structure. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the actuation system by using a single mechanical element to achieve the protective rotation without requiring motors, sensors, or complex control electronics.
3Ease of manufacture
If the rotating structure is kept stationary during transportation, then the transportation is simpler, but the bearings may suffer from brinelling and false brinelling
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation system performs preliminary action by initiating the rotation of the rotating structure before shock loads can cause damage during transportation. The unbalanced mass is positioned to create centrifugal forces that start the rotation automatically, ensuring bearing surfaces are in motion before any harmful shock loads occur, thus preventing brinelling and false brinelling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the rotating structure from stationary to rotating during transportation. By introducing rotational motion through the actuation system with unbalanced mass, the bearing contact conditions change from static (prone to brinelling) to dynamic (protected against brinelling), maintaining manufacturing precision without complicating transportation.
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 actuation system effectively reduces the impact of shock loads on the gas turbine engine components during transportation, minimizing damage and maintenance needs, and ensuring the components remain functional before assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The eccentric mass is attached to the rotating structure. The eccentric mass rotationally unbalances the rotating structure about a rotational axis such that the rotational structure rotationally oscillates about a rotational axis during non-operational movement of the gas turbine engine system.
Implementation Method 2
The powerplant system may also include a spring configured bias a rotating structure system away from a rotational equilibrium position about the rotational axis.
Implementation Method 3
The powerplant system may also include a damper configured to damp the rotational oscillations of the rotating structure about the rotational axis.
Data Source
AI summary
A powerplant system is provided that includes a gas turbine engine system and an actuation system. The gas turbine engine system includes a rotating structure, a stationary structure and one or more bearings rotatably mounting the rotating structure to the stationary structure. The actuation system is configured to passively rotate the rotating structure about a rotational axis during transportation of the gas turbine engine system.