Partial Arc Gutter Geometry for Seal Plate Oil Drainage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face inefficiencies due to oil slung from seal plates not being effectively collected and managed, leading to potential heat generation and reduced engine efficiency from oil entering gear meshes.
Innovation Solution
A partial arc gutter system is introduced around the seal plate, featuring an inlet section with a radially-open cross-section and a main passageway with a radially-closed cross-section to collect and direct oil slung from the seal plate, enhancing oil collection and drainage efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a full circumference gutter is used to collect oil slung from the seal plate, then oil collection efficiency is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gutter is designed as a partial arc structure rather than a complete circumference gutter, segmenting the oil collection function to only where needed. This reduces the gutter to essential sections that capture slung oil while eliminating redundant portions, thereby reducing device complexity and weight while maintaining effective oil collection.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of implementing a full circumference gutter (excessive action), the invention uses a partial arc gutter that provides sufficient oil collection capability (partial action) for the specific operating conditions. This partial implementation achieves the necessary oil management without the complexity and weight of a complete circular gutter.
2Weight of moving object
If a partial arc gutter is used instead of full circumference, then weight and cost are reduced, but oil collection effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The partial arc gutter is strategically positioned and dimensioned to provide oil collection at the specific locations where oil is slung from the seal plate. The gutter's arc length, radial position, and cross-sectional geometry are optimized for local oil capture effectiveness rather than uniform collection around the entire circumference, maintaining reliability where needed while reducing overall weight.
3Ease of operation
If the inlet section has a radially-open cross-section, then oil flow into the gutter is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a radially-closed cross-section that would contain oil more tightly, the inlet section employs a radially-open cross-section that allows oil to flow in more freely from the radially outward direction. This inverted approach to typical containment design facilitates easier oil entry into the gutter while the overall simple arc structure minimizes added complexity.
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 partial arc gutter system effectively captures and drains oil, reducing heat generation and improving engine efficiency by preventing oil from entering gear meshes, while also reducing weight and cost compared to full circumference designs.
Implementation Method 1
a seal plate rotating about an axis... slinging oil from the seal plate
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a bearing compartment, a seal assembly configured to establish a seal of the bearing compartment. The seal assembly includes a seal plate. The gas turbine engine further includes a gutter configured to collect oil slung from the seal plate. The gutter extends only partially around the seal plate. A method is also disclosed.