Seal Runner Catcher Layout for Deflection and Oil Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine bearings require effective lubrication and sealing to maintain compartment pressures, but existing designs face challenges with oil auto-ignition and seal runner deflection, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The design integrates a catcher with a stack spacer and a seal runner, where the catcher is L-shaped with passageways to direct fluid flow into the bearing compartment, preventing seal runner deflection and enhancing cooling by impingement cooling effects, thereby maintaining oil pressure and reducing heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seals are used to maintain compartment pressures and contain lubricating oil, then bearing compartment pressure maintenance is improved, but seal runner deflection occurs leading to potential oil auto-ignition
Solution Approach 1:
A deflector is introduced as an intermediary component between the seal runner and the oil. The deflector redirects the oil flow away from the seal runner surface, preventing direct contact that would cause deflection and auto-ignition. This mediator approach allows the seal to maintain pressure while eliminating the harmful deflection effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful effect of oil contact with the seal runner is extracted by removing the oil from the potential ignition path. The deflector extracts and redirects the oil flow, separating it from the seal runner surface where it could cause deflection and auto-ignition, while maintaining the sealing function.
2Temperature
If cooling fluid is introduced to cool the seal runner, then temperature control is improved, but fluid flow management becomes complex requiring precise direction control
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged with the existing deflector structure. The deflector serves dual purposes: redirecting oil away from the seal runner and directing cooling fluid flow. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate cooling flow management components, reducing system complexity while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously handles oil redirection and cooling fluid direction. This universal approach allows a single structure to perform multiple functions, simplifying the overall fluid management system while achieving both oil deflection and cooling objectives.
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
This configuration effectively maintains oil pressure within the bearing compartment, reduces seal runner deflection, and enhances cooling, leading to improved operational efficiency and reduced risk of auto-ignition in gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
the catcher includes a first leg extending radially from the stack spacer and a second leg extending axially from a free end of the first leg such that the catcher is substantially L-shaped in cross-section
Implementation Method 2
enhancing cooling by impingement cooling effects
Implementation Method 3
the seals maintain compartment pressures and keep lubricating oil inside the various compartments
Implementation Method 4
The design integrates a catcher with a stack spacer and a seal runner, where the catcher is L-shaped with passageways to direct fluid flow into the bearing compartment, preventing seal runner deflection
Data Source
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AI summary
A gas turbine engine (20) includes, among other things, a bearing compartment (60), a seal runner (70), a seal (68) configured to cooperate with the seal runner (70) to seal the bearing compartment (60), and a catcher (80) in contact with the seal runner (70) to minimize deflection of the seal runner (70). A method is also disclosed.