Split Planet Carrier Cage for Gear Mounting and Bearing Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical reducers in double-flow turbomachines face challenges in mounting planet gears due to the need for the cage to be cut into multiple parts, which complicates load transmission and positioning of guide bearings, affecting the reducer's operation and mechanical integrity.
Innovation Solution
A planet carrier design featuring a cage carrier with axial cage support fingers and radial annular walls connected by bridges, allowing for flexible connections and precise alignment, enabling the cage parts to be attached by clamping and ensuring load transmission and correct positioning of bearings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cage is cut into several parts to mount planet gears, then the planet gears can be mounted into the cage, but the load transmission becomes complicated and the positioning of guide bearings becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is divided into two separable parts: a first part comprising one wall and bridges projecting from it, and a second part comprising the other wall. This segmentation allows planet gears to be mounted during assembly while maintaining structural integrity for load transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
Attachment means (screws or similar fasteners) serve as intermediaries to connect the first and second parts of the cage. These attachment means pass through the second part and engage with the bridges of the first part, providing a reliable connection that simplifies load transmission between cage parts.
2Strength
If the cage parts are assembled to transmit load, then the mechanical integrity is maintained, but the positioning precision of guide bearings must be perfect for correct operation
Solution Approach 1:
The bridges are designed with predetermined geometric features and attachment hole positions that pre-establish the correct positioning for guide bearings before final assembly. This preliminary design ensures that when the cage parts are assembled, the guide bearings are automatically positioned with the required precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The design replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a simplified attachment system where screws pass through aligned holes in the second part and engage with bridges. This substitution maintains positioning precision while simplifying the assembly process and reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible connections are used between cage and cage carrier, then at least one degree of freedom is allowed, but the connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Flexibility is introduced only at specific locations where fingers connect the cage to the cage carrier, while the rest of the cage structure maintains its rigidity for load transmission. The fingers act as localized flexible elements that provide the required degrees of freedom without complicating the overall cage structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A planet carrier for a speed reducer of an aircraft turbomachine, the planet carrier including a cage carrier and a cage. The cage can have two parts: a first part having a wall and bridges, these bridges projecting axially from a face of this wall and including first axial ends connected to this face and second free axial ends; and a second part having another of the walls, this other wall including a face to which the free ends of the bridges are applied. The two parts of the cage can be attached together by screws.