Stationary Sleeve Assembly for Rotating Gear Oil Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lubricant supply systems for integrated drive power gearboxes in gas turbine engines are heavy, inefficient, and fail to effectively cool the gears, leading to excess heat and reduced reliability.

Innovation Solution

A lubricant supply system that includes a sleeve assembly with bearing assemblies, seals, and an oil deflection shield, which delivers lubricant directly to the gears through angled channels and jets, enhancing lubrication and heat removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a conventional lubricant supply system is used, then the gearbox can operate, but the system is heavy and occupies valuable space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of lubricant supply systemVSAvoidreliability of gear lubrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the rotational motion of the power drive shaft itself to generate centrifugal force that throws oil from the supply source through channels to the gears. The rotating shaft acts as its own pump, eliminating the need for separate heavy pumping mechanisms while ensuring reliable lubrication delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes centrifugal force generated by rotation to move lubricant through the system. The rotational motion creates outward force that propels oil through channels in the power drive shaft and sleeve assembly to the gear surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Temperature

If constant lubrication is used to reduce friction and heat, then gear temperature is controlled, but the lubricant supply system adds weight and occupies space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegearbox operating temperatureVSAvoidcomplexity of lubricant supply system

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lubricant supply system is integrated directly into the power drive shaft and sleeve assembly structure. The supply channels are formed within the shaft itself, and the sleeve assembly incorporates bearing surfaces and oil distribution features, combining multiple functions into unified components rather than separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses fluid dynamics principles where lubricant is introduced into rotating channels and propelled by centrifugal force to the gear surfaces. The angled channels and jet openings create effective oil delivery without mechanical pumps, using hydraulic principles to achieve reliable lubrication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Productivity

If high rotational speeds are used to improve power transmission, then efficiency increases, but heat generation in planetary gears increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmission efficiencyVSAvoidplanetary gear temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Lubricant is delivered to the gears before the full load and heat generation occur. The system continuously supplies oil through the rotating channels to the gear surfaces in advance of when maximum heating occurs during operation, preventing temperature buildup rather than responding to it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lubricant acts as an intermediary substance that transfers heat away from the gear surfaces. The oil absorbs heat from the planetary gears during engagement and carries it away through the lubrication system, mediating the thermal management between the high-speed gears and the surrounding environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system efficiently lubricates and cools the gears, improving the reliability and reducing weight, thereby enhancing the performance and efficiency of the integrated drive power gearbox.

Implementation Method 1

The sleeve assembly configured to receive a plurality of externally modulated flows of oil through the power drive shaft and to distribute the flows of oil through respective channels of a plurality of radially outwardly directed channels. The channels angled with respect to a radial line extending from the sleeve assembly in a direction of rotation of power drive shaft.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS10288163B2Method and system for a planetary power gearbox static to rotating oil transfer supply

Publication Date: 2019.05.14 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A static lubricant supply system within a gearbox that delivers lubricant to rotating gears. The lubricant supply system includes a stationary sleeve assembly for delivering the lubricant to a rotating receiver member, shaft, or flange. The sleeve assembly includes bearings, seals, jets, and plenums. The jets are skewed to deliver lubricant in the tangential direction of rotational motion of the receiver member, shaft, or flange. In the radial gap transfer configuration, the sleeve assembly circumscribes the receiver member or shaft. A race in the receiver member or shaft receives the lubricant. Channels within the receiver member, shaft, and gears deliver lubricant to the gears. In the axial gap transfer configuration, the sleeve assembly transfers lubricant to a flange attached to a receiver member. The flange has a race that receives the lubricant from the jets. Channels within the flange, receiver member, and gears deliver lubricant to the gears.