Planetary Gear Lubricant Nozzle With Radial Boss Orifices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current planetary-gear gear reducers for turbomachinery face challenges in lubricating the teeth of satellites and sun gears due to centrifugal effects, which hinder effective oil distribution, and the assembly complexity of existing lubrication nozzles.
Innovation Solution
A lubricant nozzle with an elongated shape and radial orifices, featuring bosses with an angular extent of less than 180°, optimized to project oil closer to the teeth, enhancing lubrication efficiency and simplifying assembly by allowing material extension for balanced mass reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the nozzle is positioned closer to the solar array to overcome centrifugal force effects, then lubrication effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional axial nozzle configuration to a radial nozzle configuration, changing the dimension of oil delivery. The radial orifices in the boss structure deliver oil in the radial direction, allowing the nozzle to be positioned closer to the solar array teeth while maintaining a compact overall structure. This dimensional change resolves the contradiction by achieving close proximity for effective lubrication without increasing assembly complexity.
2Reliability
If radial orifices are formed in the boss to extend oil spray distance, then lubrication coverage is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the nozzle body and boss structure into a single integrated component. The radial orifices are formed directly in the boss, eliminating the need for separate nozzle assemblies and complex positioning mechanisms. This integration reduces manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining improved lubrication coverage, as the orifices are naturally positioned relative to the boss geometry rather than requiring precise assembly tolerances.
3Weight of moving object
If the boss has an angular extent of less than 180° to reduce material, then mass balance is improved, but the radial dimension for orifice positioning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing the boss structure only where needed - specifically in the radial direction where orifices are required for oil delivery. The boss extends radially to provide sufficient dimension for orifice positioning, while maintaining an angular extent of less than 180° to minimize overall material usage. This localized material distribution achieves mass balance while preserving the necessary radial dimension for effective lubrication.
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 nozzle design significantly optimizes lubrication by guiding oil closer to the teeth, improving gearbox performance and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining mass balance.
Implementation Method 1
At high speed, it is difficult for the oil to reach the solar array due to centrifugal force
Data Source
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AI summary
A lubricant nozzle (172) for a planetary gear set speed reducer of a turbomachine, said nozzle having a generally elongate shape and comprising a body with a longitudinal axis B, said body having a longitudinal inner cavity (174) in fluid communication with a lubricant inlet located at a longitudinal end (172a) of the body and with lubricant outlet apertures (176) that are provided in an annular wall of the body and that extend substantially radially relative to said axis B, characterised in that said apertures are formed in at least one boss (176a) of said body, which boss projects radially outwards on said wall and extends, about said axis, at an angle (β) that does not exceed 180°.