Sliding Gearbox Coupling Assembly for Turbomachine Misalignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face increased stress on gearbox gears due to misalignment between rotating components, leading to undesirable wear and potential mechanical issues during operation.
Innovation Solution
A gearbox coupling assembly with moveable connection members that allow for sliding movement in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, accommodating misalignment and reducing stress on gearbox components, includes a forward piece, aft piece, and middle piece forming slidable interfaces, which are integrated with a planet gear carrier to maintain torque transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a reduction gearbox is used to reduce rotational speed of the fan relative to the turbine, then the efficiency of the fan is improved, but misalignment between the turbine and fan causes increased stress on the gearbox gears
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the gearbox coupling assembly movable rather than fixed. The coupling members are configured to slide along the shaft axis, allowing the gearbox to dynamically adjust its position to accommodate misalignment between the turbine and fan. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by maintaining proper gear engagement while absorbing misalignment-induced stress, thereby protecting the gearbox gears from excessive stress while preserving fan efficiency improvements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the gearbox is rigidly mounted to the engine, then structural stability is maintained, but misalignment causes increased wear and potential mechanical issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the coupling assembly into multiple movable connection members that can independently slide along the shaft axis. This segmentation allows different parts of the coupling assembly to accommodate misalignment in a distributed manner, maintaining overall structural stability while protecting the gearbox from concentrated stress. The segmented design enables the system to absorb misalignment without compromising either structural integrity or operational reliability.
3Strength
If moveable connection members with sliding connections are used to accommodate misalignment, then stress on gearbox components is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the flexible elements principle by incorporating sliding connections within the coupling members that allow axial movement. These sliding mechanisms act as flexible elements that can accommodate misalignment while maintaining a relatively compact and simple overall structure. The flexible sliding interfaces enable the coupling assembly to adapt to misalignment without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms, thereby reducing stress on gearbox components with minimal increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine includes a static frame member; a spool configured to rotate relative to the static frame member during operation of the engine; a gearbox coupled to the spool; and a gearbox coupling assembly mounting the gearbox to the static frame member using a plurality of moveable connection members, each moveable connection member including a sliding connection allowing for movement of the gearbox relative to the static frame member in a plane perpendicular to an axial direction of the engine.