Air/Oil Separator Pinion With Inclined Guide Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The compactness of turbomachine accessory boxes reduces the axial distance between air/oil separators and pinions, limiting the air flow passage section and efficiency of separation processes.
Innovation Solution
A pinion with guide openings having inclined surfaces to guide and accelerate air flows, increasing passage section and flow rate without disturbing the air inlet or outlet, and enhancing the operational efficiency of air/oil separators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the axial distance between the air/oil separator and pinion is reduced to increase compactness, then the accessory box can accommodate more accessories, but the cross-sectional area of the air inlet is reduced, limiting air circulation and separator efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The pinion web includes guide openings that allow air to pass through the pinion structure itself, creating a new dimensional pathway for air circulation. This enables air to bypass the limited radial inlet area and access the separator through the pinion's internal structure, effectively adding a third dimension to the air flow path and resolving the contradiction between compactness and air circulation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The pinion serves dual functions: it drives the separator via gear engagement and simultaneously acts as an air guide structure with integrated guide openings. This multi-functionality allows the same component to maintain compact dimensions while facilitating adequate air circulation, eliminating the need for separate air guiding elements that would increase overall size
2Productivity
If guide openings with inclined surfaces are added to the pinion, then air flow rate and circulation are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide openings are integrated directly into the pinion web structure, merging the air guiding function with the existing pinion body. The inclined surfaces are formed as part of the pinion's manufacturing process rather than as separate components, thereby improving air flow rate while minimizing the increase in device 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 pinion's inclined guide surfaces allow for increased air flow circulation and straightening, optimizing the operation of air/oil separators by maintaining compactness while ensuring efficient air supply and evacuation, thus improving the overall performance of turbomachine accessory boxes.
Implementation Method 1
The guide surface accelerates the circulation of an airflow entering or exiting the separator by creating a suction effect
Implementation Method 2
the separator 1 is driven in rotation by a pinion 2 of the accessory housing so as to allow separation by centrifugation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A drive pinion (20) for an air/oil separator (10) in an accessory gearbox of a turbomachine, the air/oil separator (10) being configured to be supplied at the inlet by an airflow to be de-oiled (A) and to provide at the outlet, on the one hand, a de-oiled airflow (B) and, on the other hand, an oilflow (H) by centrifugal force, the pinion (20) being configured to drive the separator (10) in rotation about an axis of rotation X, the pinion (20) being mounted opposite a passage opening in the separator (10), the pinion (20) comprising at least one guide opening (24) passing through the web (23) defining at least one guide surface (25) inclined with respect to the axis of rotation X so as to guide along the axis X an airflow to be de-oiled (A) into the separator (10) or a de-oiled airflow (B) out of the separator (10) via the guide opening (24) of the pinion (20).