Aircraft Shaft Flow Metering for Multi-Point Lubrication and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft flow metering devices lack efficiency and flexibility in distributing fluid to multiple locations, limiting their effectiveness in providing metered flows.
Innovation Solution
A metering device with channels and ports arranged circumferentially and axially to distribute fluid from a first shaft to multiple locations, including a second shaft and an external volume, allowing independent or synchronized rotation with the shafts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional flow metering device is used, then the structure is simple, but the fluid distribution efficiency and flexibility to multiple locations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The metering device is segmented into multiple functional elements: a body with a bore, multiple channels extending radially from the bore, and multiple ports distributed at different locations. This segmentation allows fluid to be distributed to multiple destinations simultaneously through separate flow paths, improving distribution efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The metering device is designed with multi-functionality to distribute fluid to multiple locations (at least two different locations as specified in the claims). The single device performs what would traditionally require multiple separate metering devices, enhancing productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fluid is distributed to multiple locations simultaneously, then the flexibility and control are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different channels and ports are configured with specific local qualities - each channel has a defined radial extent from the bore, and each port is positioned at a specific location. This allows tailored fluid distribution to different locations with appropriate flow rates, achieving flexibility while keeping the device structure manageable through systematic local variations rather than complex global design.
3Speed
If the metering device rotates with the shaft, then the fluid distribution follows the rotation, but the measurement and control precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The metering device is pre-configured with specific channel and port arrangements before operation. The channels are formed with predetermined radial extents and the ports are positioned at specific locations, establishing the fluid distribution pattern in advance. This preliminary configuration ensures measurement precision is maintained even during rotation, as the geometric relationships are fixed and known.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for an aircraft includes a first shaft, a second shaft and a metering device. The metering device includes a device sidewall, a device first end, a device second end, a device bore, a plurality of channels and a plurality of ports. The device sidewall circumscribes the first shaft at the device first end. The device sidewall is disposed in a second shaft bore of the second shaft at the device second end. The device bore extends axially along the axis through the metering device between the device first end and the device second end. The channels are arranged circumferentially about the axis. Each of the channels projects radially into the device sidewall from the device bore and axially into the device sidewall from the device second end. The ports are arranged circumferentially about the axis. Each of the ports projects radially through the device sidewall.