Planetary Gear Oil Pumping for Seal-Free Lubrication Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In high-speed planetary gear sets of jet engines, the existing oil supply methods using centrifugal force are unreliable, leading to inconsistent oil pressure and reduced sealing effectiveness due to wear and tear, which compromises the lubrication and cooling of bearings and tooth meshings.
Innovation Solution
A gear device with a built-in pumping appliance that uses the rotational speed difference between structural components to generate hydraulic fluid pressure, eliminating the need for wear-prone seals by introducing hydraulic fluid into a supply area and discharging it through outlet openings, ensuring sufficient lubrication and cooling without elaborate sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If contact seals are used to seal the planetary gear area against the static environment, then the oil supply pressure can be maintained, but the seals are subject to wear and tear which reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the contact seal from the system entirely. Instead of sealing the planetary gear area against the static environment, the invention uses centrifugal force generated by rotation to supply oil directly to consumption points, eliminating the wear-prone seal component while maintaining oil supply pressure through dynamic centrifugal action.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating planetary gear structure itself generates the centrifugal force needed to supply oil to consumption points. The system uses its own rotational motion to create the pressure differential that drives oil flow, eliminating the need for external sealing mechanisms and making the system self-sufficient for oil distribution.
2Duration of action of moving object
If seals are opened during operation to reduce wear and tear, then seal longevity is improved, but oil pressure cannot be maintained for sufficient lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the seal component entirely, so there is no seal to open or close during operation. The oil supply mechanism relies on centrifugal force generated during rotation, which naturally creates pressure without requiring sealed compartments that would need to be opened for maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic principles by utilizing centrifugal force to move oil from the supply area to consumption points. The rotating structure creates a centrifugal hydraulic field that automatically distributes oil under pressure to bearings and tooth meshings without mechanical seals.
3Device complexity
If oil is supplied based on centrifugal force, then the system construction is simplified, but oil supply reliability is insufficient under unfavorable operational conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies centrifugal oil supply selectively at specific consumption points (bearings and tooth meshings) rather than attempting to seal and pressurize the entire planetary gear area. This localized approach maintains simplicity while ensuring reliable oil delivery where it is most needed during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs centrifugal hydraulic action to supply oil directly to consumption points during rotation. By using the rotational motion itself to generate centrifugal force, the system achieves reliable oil supply under varying operational conditions without complex sealing mechanisms or additional pressurization devices.
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
This solution provides a reliable and efficient hydraulic fluid supply to gear devices, maintaining necessary pressure for lubrication and cooling, even under unfavorable operational conditions, with reduced wear and increased reliability compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
By means of the oil pump, oil is supplied to the planetary gear with a pressure as it is necessary for supplying the bearings and tooth meshings
Implementation Method 2
To be able to ensure a sufficient lubrication and cooling of bearings and tooth meshings
Implementation Method 3
to be able to ensure a sufficient lubrication and cooling of bearings and tooth meshings
Data Source
AI summary
A gear device with at least one rotating structural component, with a further structural component that delimits at least one supply area and with at least one consumption point that is to be supplied with hydraulic fluid via the supply area. Hydraulic fluid from at least one hydraulic fluid supply device can be introduced into the at least supply area via at least one supply opening, and can be discharged via at least one outlet opening from the at least one supply area for supplying the at least one consumption point. Inside the supply area, at least one pumping appliance driven by the structural component is provided for transporting hydraulic fluid from the at least one supply opening in the direction of the at least one outlet opening.