Interchangeable Smart Gearbox Adapters for Compact Accessory Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine accessory drive gearboxes require a compact configuration to fit within limited space and need to reduce inventory of spare parts and dissimilar components, while efficiently coupling various accessories with different mounting patterns and spline configurations.
Innovation Solution
A gearbox adaptor system with interchangeable adapter plates and gear configurations, allowing for diverse mounting patterns and spline shapes to accommodate multiple accessories, such as variable frequency generators and pumps, by inverting adapter plates to expose different mounting configurations and marking sides for correct assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a compact gearbox configuration is used to fit within limited space, then space utilization is improved, but the ability to accommodate diverse accessories with different mounting patterns is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single gearbox housing with multiple adapter plate configurations that can accommodate various accessories. The adapter plates feature different mounting patterns (e.g., 4-hole, 6-hole, 8-hole patterns) and spline configurations that can be interchanged on the same gearbox, allowing one gearbox to serve multiple accessory mounting functions without requiring multiple dedicated gearboxes for different configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dissimilar components are used to accommodate different accessories, then accessory compatibility is improved, but inventory complexity and spare parts requirements are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces inventory complexity by making the gearbox housing universal. Instead of maintaining separate gearboxes for different accessory types, the same gearbox housing can accommodate various accessories through interchangeable adapter plates with different mounting patterns and spline configurations. This significantly reduces the number of dissimilar components and spare parts inventory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the accessory mounting function into separate interchangeable adapter plates that can be independently selected and installed. Rather than having integrated, dedicated mounting structures for each accessory type within the gearbox housing, the mounting capability is segmented into removable adapter plates that can be swapped based on the specific accessory being installed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adapter plates are made interchangeable with multiple mounting patterns, then accessory versatility is improved, but the likelihood of incorrect assembly is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing adapter plates with specific asymmetric features such as keyed splines, asymmetric mounting hole patterns, and orientation-specific attachment mechanisms. These asymmetric features ensure that adapter plates can only be correctly installed in one orientation and match the corresponding accessory shaft keyways and mounting patterns, preventing incorrect assembly while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
Adapter plates for mounting accessories to a gearbox of a turbine engine are described herein. The adapter plates may be inverted to mount with various equipment, such as a variable frequency generator, oil pump, a fuel pump, a hydraulic pump, an alternator, an electrical generator, and a starter. Gear shafts may comprise splines in a particular form/shape for mating with the gears. The gears may be inverted to expose a desired spline configuration.