Splash-Lubricated Accessory Gearbox Without Pressurized Oil Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rotorcraft drive systems are prone to failures due to single component failures, loss of lubrication, and maintenance requirements, which can lead to reduced flight performance and safety issues, particularly with pressurized oil leak paths and external grease packed bearings.
Innovation Solution
A non-pressurized accessory gearbox utilizing splash lubrication within a housing, with features like dual engine reduction gearboxes, independent lubrication systems, and redundant components to minimize maintenance and potential loss of lubrication events, and eliminate external oil coolers and pressurized oil paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressurized oil leak paths and external grease packed bearings are used in traditional gearboxes, then lubrication can be maintained, but failure points increase and maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the pressurized oil leak paths and external grease packed bearings from the traditional gearbox design. By removing these external lubrication components and replacing them with an internal splash lubrication system, the design reduces failure points and maintenance requirements while maintaining adequate lubrication of gear components.
Solution Approach 2:
The gearbox employs self-lubricating features through internal splash lubrication generated by the rotation of gears themselves. The gears create oil splashes that automatically lubricate contact surfaces without requiring external pumps, pressurized systems, or grease packed bearings, making the system self-sufficient for lubrication.
2Temperature
If external oil coolers are used in traditional gearboxes, then heat dissipation is improved, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function directly into the gearbox housing by incorporating cooling fins or heat dissipation structures as integral parts of the housing itself. This eliminates the need for separate external oil coolers, reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining effective heat dissipation from the lubrication system.
3Productivity
If single component failures occur in drive systems, then system operation continues, but torque transmission is lost and damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates redundant lubrication pathways and internal splash lubrication reserves that provide cushioning protection against lubrication failure. The internal oil reservoir and splash distribution system ensure that even if one lubrication path is compromised, adequate lubrication continues, preventing torque transmission loss and component damage.
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
Enhances the safety and reliability of rotorcraft drive systems by reducing maintenance needs, minimizing lubrication losses, and maintaining torque transmission even in loss of lubrication scenarios, thereby improving flight performance and reducing the risk of component damage.
Implementation Method 1
the non-pressurized accessory gearbox is configured to utilize splash lubrication for moving a lubrication fluid within the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A non-pressurized accessory gearbox for an aircraft includes: a housing, one or more gears disposed within the housing, an input rotating member to receive input from a main rotor gearbox via a shaft connected to the one or more gears, and one or more output rotating members in communication with the one or more gears. The gearbox is configured to utilize splash lubrication for moving a lubrication fluid within the housing.