Planetary Gear System Vibration Damping Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional turbomachine gearing systems lack efficiency and require improvements to enhance the performance and fuel economy of turbomachines.
Innovation Solution
A planetary gear system with a forward and aft planetary gear assembly, connected through a gear housing with a stationary carrier and a radially extending mount that can act as a vibration damper, allowing for different gear ratios and connections to fan and compressor shafts to optimize natural frequency and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional gearing systems are used in turbomachines, then the system structure is simple, but the efficiency and fuel economy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The planetary gear system is divided into multiple independent planetary gear sets (first, second, third planetary gear sets) with different gear ratios, allowing each set to optimize specific operational phases of the turbomachine, thereby improving overall efficiency without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single planetary gear system performs multiple functions by providing different gear ratios through different planetary gear sets, enabling the system to adapt to varying operational requirements (different compressor speeds, different load conditions) while maintaining a compact structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple outputs are added to improve efficiency, then the gear ratio flexibility increases, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple planetary gear sets are merged into a single integrated gearbox housing with a common carrier, allowing multiple gear ratio outputs to be achieved within one compact unit rather than separate gearbox assemblies, thus maintaining structural simplicity while providing versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The planetary gear sets are nested within the same housing and carrier structure, with gears arranged concentrically around a common sun gear, enabling multiple gear ratios to be packed into a compact space without proportionally increasing external dimensions or complexity
3Reliability
If vibration dampers are added to reduce vibrations, then the rotor dynamics improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration damper function is merged with the existing mount structure that connects the planetary gear system to the compressor, eliminating the need for separate vibration damper components and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The mount structure serves dual functions: mechanically supporting the planetary gear system and damping vibrations through integrated viscous dampers, thereby improving rotor dynamics without adding dedicated vibration control components
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 enhances turbomachine efficiency and fuel economy by allowing multiple outputs from a single gearbox without adding weight, improving rotor dynamics, and reducing the number of compression stages, while maintaining conventional performance levels.
Implementation Method 1
The mount can include a vibration damper. In certain embodiments, the mount can be shaped to act as a vibration damper.
Data Source
AI summary
A planetary gear system for a turbomachine includes a forward planetary gear assembly including a plurality of forward planet gears meshed to a forward sun gear disposed on a power shaft and a forward ring gear meshed to the forward planet gears and an aft planetary gear assembly aft of the forward planetary assembly including a plurality of aft planet gears meshed to an aft sun gear disposed on the power shaft and an aft ring gear meshed to the aft planet gears. The system also includes a gear housing disposed between the forward planetary gear assembly and the aft planetary gear assembly. The gear housing includes a stationary carrier, wherein the forward and aft planet gears are rotatably mounted to the stationary carrier, and a mount extending radially from the stationary carrier that is connectable to a stationary portion of the turbomachine.