Split-Shell Planet Carrier for Flexible Torque Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing planet carrier designs for aircraft turbomachine speed reducers face challenges in mounting planet gears due to bulky and heavy attachment flanges and connection means, which are constrained during operation, and require complex flexible connections to manage torque and force distribution effectively.
Innovation Solution
The planet carrier design features a cage with two axially assembled shells, each with radially oriented broaches passing through radial orifices, distributing forces between the cage and cage carrier, allowing each shell to support a portion of the load and enabling flexible connections with ball joints and rings, compatible with various reducer architectures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cage is separated into multiple parts to enable planet gear mounting, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional attachment flanges and connection means
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is divided into two separate parts: a first part forming a first opening and a second part forming a second opening. Each part can be independently manufactured and assembled, allowing planet gears to be mounted between the parts without requiring complex attachment flanges or connection means. The segmentation enables simplified manufacturing while maintaining structural integrity through the interaction of complementary openings.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid connection between cage and cage carrier is used, then the structural integrity is improved, but the reliability decreases due to constraint of flexing during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the cage and cage carrier transitions from a rigid static connection to a dynamic flexible connection. The cage parts are connected to the cage carrier through flexible connections that allow controlled flexing during operation. This enables the structure to adapt to operational loads while maintaining overall structural integrity, improving reliability under varying torque conditions.
3Reliability
If flexible connections are used between cage and cage carrier, then the reliability is improved by allowing flexing, but the device complexity increases due to additional connection elements
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible connection functionality is merged into the cage structure itself through the interaction of complementary openings in the first and second parts. Rather than adding separate complex connection elements, the openings are designed to work together with the cage carrier, integrating the flexible connection feature directly into the cage architecture. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of flexible torque transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A planet carrier (213) for a speed reducer (210) of a turbomachine (1), this planet carrier (213) having a main axis X and comprising:a cage carrier (222) comprising an annular row of axial fingers (282) about the axis X, which comprises first connection elements, anda cage (220) comprising at its periphery housings (280) and second connection elements which are mounted in said housings and which cooperate with the first connection elements to form connections between the cage carrier (222) and the cage (220), which allow at least one degree of freedom,characterised in that the cage (220) comprises two shells (220a, 220b) which are axially assembled to each other, said first or second connection elements comprising broaches (288) oriented radially with respect to said axis X and passing through radial orifices (220a, 220a2, 220b1, 220b2) of said shells (220a, 220b).