Remote Oil Tank Filling Layout for Core-Mounted Turbine Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil tank filling systems for gas turbine engines are inadequate for engines where the oil tank is located within the core engine, as they are inaccessible and pose safety hazards for maintenance engineers, especially in large turbofan engines with restricted access due to the large fan case and outlet guide vanes.
Innovation Solution
An oil tank filling system comprising an oil filling reservoir located within a bifurcation extending from the engine core, an oil tank filling pipe, and an oil pump that pumps oil from the reservoir to a tank filling port on the oil tank, allowing remote filling and avoiding the need for direct access to the oil tank, with optional temperature and pressure sensors for safety alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the oil tank is located within the core engine to meet packaging constraints, then the engine design is improved, but the accessibility for maintenance engineers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary filling system consisting of a filling port, filling pipe, and pump that mediates between the externally accessible filling point and the internally located oil tank. This allows maintenance engineers to fill the oil tank from outside the engine core without direct access to the tank itself, resolving the contradiction between compact internal placement and external accessibility.
2Volume of moving object
If the oil tank is placed in restricted areas below outlet guide vanes, then space utilization is improved, but safety and accessibility for maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The filling port and pipe system acts as an intermediary that allows oil to be delivered to the restricted area without requiring maintenance personnel to physically access the hazardous zone below the outlet guide vanes. The pump delivers oil through the restricted space, keeping personnel safely outside while still achieving the desired space utilization.
3Device complexity
If a filling pipe through the outlet guide vane is used, then piping complexity is reduced, but the structural integrity and safety may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated filling port and pipe system as an intermediary pathway that bypasses the need to route pipes through the outlet guide vane structure. This maintains the structural integrity and safety of the guide vane while still achieving efficient oil delivery to the tank through a separate, purpose-designed filling pathway.
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
Enables efficient and safe filling of oil tanks located within inaccessible areas of the engine core, reducing maintenance risks and improving operational efficiency by allowing ground-level or low-step access, thus ensuring timely maintenance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an oil pump; the system being configured so that the oil pump pumps oil from the oil filling reservoir through the oil tank filling pipe
Data Source
AI summary
An oil tank filling system for filling the oil tank of a gas turbine engine. The system includes an oil tank located within a core of the engine, an oil filling reservoir located within a bifurcation that extends from the core of the engine, an oil tank filling pipe that leads from the oil filling reservoir to a tank filling port on the oil tank, and an oil pump. The system is configured so that the oil pump pumps oil from the oil filling reservoir through the oil tank filling pipe and the tank filling port to fill the oil tank. A method of filling the oil tank of a gas turbine engine and a gas turbine engine that includes the oil tank filling system are also disclosed.