Spiral Fluid Collection Gutter for Turbine Gear Oil Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid collection gutters in turbine engines have low oil capture efficiencies, leading to reduced power transfer efficiency and insufficient lubrication oil availability during negative g maneuvers, due to uncollected lubrication oil churning and re-contacting the gear train.
Innovation Solution
A fluid collection gutter with a channel area that is substantially equal to or less than two percent of the bore area and a channel outlet area between fifty-five and seventy-five percent of the channel area, featuring a conduit that spirals around the centerline, enhancing fluid capture efficiency by balancing gas to fluid ratios and reducing air choking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional gutter configuration is used, then the structure is simple, but the oil capture efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The gutter is divided into multiple functional zones: a collection region with larger cross-sectional area for capturing oil, a transition region for flow direction, and a discharge region with smaller cross-sectional area. This segmentation allows optimized oil capture in different zones without requiring complete structural redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The gutter cross-sectional area varies along its length, creating a three-dimensional graduated structure rather than a uniform two-dimensional channel. This dimensional variation enables the gutter to capture oil effectively while maintaining appropriate flow characteristics throughout its length.
2Quantity of substance
If the channel area is large, then more oil can be collected, but gas to fluid ratio increases causing air choking
Solution Approach 1:
The gutter cross-sectional area is varied along its length, being larger at the collection end and progressively smaller toward the discharge end. This parameter change optimizes the balance between capturing sufficient oil and maintaining appropriate gas-to-fluid ratios to prevent air choking.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the gutter have different cross-sectional areas tailored to their specific functions: the collection region has larger area for maximum oil capture, while the discharge region has smaller area to maintain proper gas-to-fluid ratios and prevent air choking.
3Power
If the gutter collects less oil, then power transfer efficiency is maintained, but lubrication oil availability during negative g maneuvers is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The gutter design creates dynamic flow characteristics through its varying cross-sectional area, allowing it to adapt to different operating conditions including negative g maneuvers. The graduated structure enables effective oil collection during normal operation while ensuring sufficient oil availability during maneuver conditions.
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 proposed gutter design significantly improves fluid capture efficiency, reducing gas to fluid ratios and air choking, thereby enhancing power transfer efficiency and ensuring adequate lubrication oil availability, even under challenging conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a channel that extends from the inner surface to a channel outlet... The channel area may be defined by at least a portion of the channel located adjacent and upstream of the channel outlet
Implementation Method 2
The gutter may include a conduit that extends through the gutter and/or spirals at least partially around the centerline between the channel outlet and a conduit outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
A turbine engine system includes a gutter (40) and a gear train (22) with an axial centerline (28). The gutter is disposed radially outside of the axial centerline. The gutter includes an inner surface (42) and a channel (44) that receives fluid directed out of the gear train. The channel extends radially into the gutter from the inner surface, and circumferentially to a channel outlet (58). The inner surface has a surface radius, and the channel has a radially extending channel height that is equal to or less than eight percent of the surface radius and/or the channel has an axially extending channel width that is equal to or less than fifteen percent of the surface radius.