Radial Oil Recovery Gutter for Compact Turbomachine Speed Reducers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current lubrication systems in turbomachines, such as dual flow turbine engines, face challenges in efficiently recovering and evacuating large oil flows, leading to premature wear and decreased efficiency due to insufficient lubrication, and existing oil recovery devices are complex and increase the radial size and manufacturing cost of the turbomachine.
Innovation Solution
A power transmission system with a simplified oil recovery device featuring an annular gutter secured to a fixed housing, including a recovery chamber and a first wall portion to direct oil ejected by centrifugal force towards the chamber, with a radially oriented inlet opening and an annular tab to reduce radial size and facilitate efficient oil recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a complex oil recovery device with multiple walls, fins and bowls is used to prevent oil accumulation and guide oil to the recovery chamber, then oil recovery efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The recovery device is segmented into distinct functional zones: a recovery chamber for collecting oil, a first wall portion for guiding oil, and a second wall portion for containing oil. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall design manageable and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the radial dimension effectively by positioning the recovery chamber and wall portions in a radial configuration around the rotor shaft. The inlet opening is radially oriented to receive oil ejected by centrifugal force, and the wall portions are arranged radially to guide and contain the oil flow, optimizing space utilization and recovery efficiency.
2Productivity
If a gutter with multiple walls, fins and bowls is used to guide oil to the recovery chamber, then oil recovery effectiveness is improved, but the radial size of the gutter increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a traditional gutter structure that extends radially outward to guide oil, the invention inverts the approach by using radially oriented wall portions that direct oil inward toward the recovery chamber. The first wall portion faces the oil ejection means and directs oil radially inward, while the second wall portion contains the oil flow, eliminating the need for a large radial gutter structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention exploits the radial dimension by orienting the inlet opening and wall portions radially to match the centrifugal ejection pattern of the oil. This radial configuration allows the recovery device to intercept oil efficiently without requiring excessive radial space, as the structure follows the natural radial flow path of the oil.
3Reliability
If a large oil flow of more than 5000 liters per hour is sent to lubricate the speed reducer, then lubrication efficiency is improved, but the difficulty of recovering and evacuating the oil increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recovery device leverages the centrifugal force generated by the rotating outer ring gear to automatically eject oil from the speed reducer toward the recovery chamber. The radially oriented inlet opening and wall portions passively guide the centrifugally ejected oil into the recovery chamber without requiring additional pumps or complex evacuation mechanisms, enabling the system to handle large oil flows efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the hydraulic principle of centrifugal force to move the oil flow. The rotating outer ring gear generates centrifugal force that ejects the lubricating oil radially outward, and the recovery device is configured to intercept and collect this centrifugally ejected oil, converting the kinetic energy of the rotating system into effective oil recovery.
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 solution enables quick and efficient recovery and evacuation of large oil flows, reducing the radial size of the recovery system and simplifying its design while maintaining manufacturing feasibility, thus enhancing the turbomachine's efficiency and reducing wear.
Implementation Method 1
a device for recovering oil ejected by centrifugal effect into the turbomachine
Implementation Method 2
The oil flows by gravity towards the lower part of the enclosure for its evacuation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a power transmission system of a turbomachine, comprising:a speed reducer (12) comprising a sun gear (15) rotationally secured to a power shaft (5) with a longitudinal axis, an outer ring gear (18) rotating a rotor shaft along the longitudinal axis, and a planet carrier (17), anda device (40) for recovering oil ejected by centrifugal effect and comprising an annular gutter (41) for recovering the ejected oil, the gutter being attached to a fixed annular housing (26) and having a recovery chamber (42) and a first wall portion (43) disposed at least partially facing oil ejection means (30) of the speed reducer for directing the oil to the recovery chamber.According to the invention, the recovery chamber is provided with an inlet opening (45) directed radially outwardly and defined in a plane radially lower than a plane where an outlet port (33) of the ejection means is defined.