Reserve Tank Lubrication Layout for Gravity-Fed Residual Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubrication systems for mechanical systems, such as gearboxes in rotary-wing aircraft, fail to provide comprehensive residual lubrication following leaks or failures, limiting lubrication to essential components only for a short duration.
Innovation Solution
A lubrication system with a reserve tank positioned higher than the main suction point, allowing lubricating liquid to flow by gravity into the main lubrication circuit, ensuring continuous lubrication of all components using the existing main lubrication circuit and its spraying devices, even after a drop in the main tank's liquid level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a main lubrication circuit with a main tank is used to lubricate all components, then comprehensive lubrication coverage is achieved, but the system fails to provide residual lubrication when leaks or failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The reserve tank is integrated into the existing main lubrication circuit structure, sharing the same pump, piping, and spraying devices. This merging approach provides residual lubrication capability without creating a completely separate backup system, thus improving reliability while minimizing additional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The reserve tank is pre-filled with lubricating liquid and positioned to automatically supply the main suction pipe when the main tank level drops. This preliminary preparation ensures that lubrication continues without interruption or manual intervention when leaks or failures occur in the main tank
2Reliability
If a back-up lubrication circuit with dedicated spraying devices and piping is implemented, then residual lubrication is ensured, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The main lubrication circuit's pump, piping, and spraying devices serve dual purposes: they function during normal operation with the main tank and automatically serve as the residual lubrication system when the reserve tank supplies lubricating liquid. This eliminates the need for dedicated backup spraying devices and extensive backup piping
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet pipe connected to the main suction pipe acts as an intermediary channel, allowing the reserve tank to supply lubricating liquid to the existing main lubrication circuit without requiring separate dedicated piping. This simple connection enables the reserve tank to integrate seamlessly with the existing system infrastructure
3Ease of operation
If the reserve tank is positioned lower than the main suction point, then installation is easier, but gravity flow cannot be achieved and pump complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reserve tank is positioned at a higher elevation than the main suction point, creating a gravitational potential difference that enables automatic gravity flow of lubricating liquid into the main suction pipe. This eliminates the need for additional pumping capacity or complex pump control mechanisms, simplifying the overall pump structure while ensuring reliable residual 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
Ensures effective residual lubrication of all mechanical system components for a limited time, overcoming the limitations of prior art by maintaining lubrication until the reserve tank is depleted, without requiring additional dedicated spraying devices or extensive piping.
Implementation Method 1
the reserve tank (30) being able to supply, by gravity, the main suction pipe (15) with lubricating liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A lubrication system for a mechanical system, the lubrication system comprising a main tank, a reserve tank and a main lubrication circuit. The main lubrication circuit comprises, in particular, a pump drawing in the lubricating liquid from the main tank via a main suction point and a main suction pipe connecting the main suction point to the pump. The reserve tank is supplied with lubricating liquid either directly from the main tank or via the main lubrication circuit. The reserve tank is connected to the main suction pipe via an outlet pipe and the reserve tank is located above the main suction point so that the lubricating liquid flows through the outlet pipe to the main suction pipe by gravity.