Planetary Multi-Shaft Power Transfer for Wide Engine Speed Ranges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical power-transfer systems in gas turbine engines are bulky and heavy, reducing efficiency due to the need for components that operate efficiently across a wide range of shaft speeds.
Innovation Solution
A planetary gear system with a sun gear, ring gear, and planetary gears, coupled with electrical machines, including a sensor and controller, to regulate power transfer between engine shafts, allowing efficient operation across varying speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electrical power-transfer systems use bulky components to operate efficiently across a wide range of shaft speeds, then efficiency across diverse operating conditions is improved, but weight increases and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power transfer function across three electrical machines operating at different shaft speeds, with each machine optimized for its specific speed range. This allows the system to maintain efficiency across a wide operational range without requiring each individual machine to be oversized for all conditions, thereby reducing total weight and volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different electrical machines based on the operating shaft speed. The controller selects which machine to operate based on real-time speed conditions, ensuring optimal efficiency at each speed point while avoiding the need for a single bulky machine designed for maximum speed coverage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical power-transfer systems use bulky components to operate efficiently across a wide range of shaft speeds, then efficiency across diverse operating conditions is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power transfer system is divided into three separate electrical machines, each sized appropriately for its specific operating speed range. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single large-volume machine that would be required to handle all speed conditions, thereby reducing total system volume while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each electrical machine is designed to perform the power transfer function within its specific speed range, creating a multi-functional system where different machines handle different operational conditions. This approach achieves universality of function across the full speed range without requiring each component to be universally sized for all conditions.
3Device complexity
If a single electrical machine is used for power transfer, then system complexity is reduced, but operational efficiency across varying shaft speeds deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power transfer function across three electrical machines, each optimized for a specific speed range. This segmentation improves adaptability and efficiency across varying shaft speeds by ensuring each machine operates in its optimal range, accepting the increased complexity as necessary for performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters (shaft speed ranges) for each electrical machine to match their optimal performance characteristics. By assigning specific speed ranges to each machine, the system maintains high efficiency across the full operational spectrum despite having multiple machines.
4Adaptability or versatility
If electrical machines are sized for maximum speed range coverage, then adaptability is improved, but weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the overall speed range into three segments, each handled by a dedicated electrical machine. Each machine is sized appropriately for its specific segment rather than being oversized to cover the entire range, thereby reducing total weight while maintaining full speed range coverage through coordinated operation.
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 achieves efficient power transfer with reduced weight and space requirements, maintaining constant power speed ranges and enhancing engine efficiency across diverse operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrical machine connected to be driven by the ring gear to generate electrical power
Implementation Method 2
a second electrical machine connected to drive the sun gear
Implementation Method 3
a third electrical machine configured to receive electrical power generated by the first electrical machine and operable as a motor to drive a second engine shaft
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical power-transfer system for an engine includes first and second engine shafts. The system also includes a planetary gear system having a sun gear, a ring gear, a plurality of planetary gears enmeshed with the sun gear and the ring gear, and a carrier supporting the plurality of planetary gears, where the carrier is configured for connection to be driven by the first engine shaft. The system further includes a first electrical machine connected to be driven by the ring gear to generate electrical power, a second electrical machine connected to drive the sun gear, and a third electrical machine configured to receive electrical power generated by the first electrical machine and operable as a motor to drive the second engine shaft.