Slinger Disk Bearing Assembly for Forward Lubricant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face difficulties in maintaining lubricant flow due to high rotational speeds and windage effects, which can lead to inadequate lubrication at the forward side of the bearing assembly, resulting in reduced service life and increased repair needs.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a bearing assembly with a slinger disk and scavenge passages that direct lubricant flow from the lower pressure side to the higher pressure side, using flow guides to force lubricant flow through the bearing in a forward direction, thereby enhancing lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional bearing assembly is used with high rotational speed shaft, then power output is improved, but lubricant flow maintenance deteriorates due to windage effects pushing lubricant away from the bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly incorporates a pressure equalization mechanism that anticipates and counteracts the windage-induced pressure differential before it can completely deprive the bearing of lubrication. The mechanism includes a forward pressure equalization passage that introduces lubricant under pressure to the forward side of the bearing, preemptively compensating for the pressure imbalance caused by high rotational speed and windage effects.
2Productivity
If high rotational speed is used to increase productivity, then output per time is improved, but lubricant flow in forward direction deteriorates due to pressure differential
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary pressure equalization mechanism consisting of forward and aft pressure equalization passages that mediate the lubricant flow between different pressure zones. These passages act as conduits that balance the pressure differential created by high rotational speed, ensuring continuous forward lubricant flow to the bearing even at high productivity operating conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If windage effects are allowed to occur naturally, then energy conversion is improved, but lubricant is pushed toward lower pressure side away from bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful windage effect into a beneficial pressure differential utilization mechanism. The pressure equalization passages are designed to harness the pressure differential naturally created by windage and redirect it to enhance lubricant flow through the bearing. The system transforms the adverse lubricant migration caused by windage into a controlled pressure-driven lubrication system that improves bearing cooling and lubrication.
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 solution effectively maintains lubricant flow across the bearing assembly, enhancing the service life of gas turbine engines and reducing the frequency of repairs by ensuring consistent lubrication, even under high rotational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the high rotational speed of the shaft and the effects of windage from the air movement within the engine, higher pressure may form on the forward side of the bearing and lower pressure may form on the aft side of the bearing. This may push lubricant in a windage or aft direction, toward the lower pressure side and away from the bearing
Implementation Method 2
The slinger disk may be configured to direct lubricant flow toward the one or more scavenge passages, thereby forcing lubricant flow through the bearing in the forward direction
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing assembly may comprise a housing, a slinger disk, and a bearing. The housing may be configured to receive a shaft and having at least one scavenge passage between an outer housing portion and an inner housing portion. The slinger disk may have a plurality of flow guides configured to direct the lubricant flow toward the at least one scavenge channel. The scavenge passage may be configured to provide a lubricant flow through the bearing. Lubricant flow may be provided in a forward direction, through the bearing and opposite a windage direction.