Starter Standpipe Assembly Parallel Oil Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current standpipe assemblies in gas turbine starters are not designed to facilitate rapid oil drainage, leading to overfilling issues and interference with internal oil flow during operation.
Innovation Solution
A retrofit and redesigned standpipe assembly that provides a separate, parallel path for oil return with a larger cross-sectional area to prevent overfilling and minimize interference with internal oil flow, featuring a dual drainage system that is secured within the starter housing to prevent rotation and ensure efficient oil flow during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional integral standpipe assembly is used, then the structure is simple, but the oil drainage rate is slow causing overfilling issues
Solution Approach 1:
The standpipe assembly is divided into multiple components: a standpipe body, a drain fitting with internal passage, and a housing with integrated drain path. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, resulting in improved oil drainage rate while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to the drainage path by implementing a drain fitting that extends downward from the standpipe body, creating a multi-level drainage structure. This dimensional change increases the drainage cross-sectional area and gravitational flow path, significantly improving the oil drainage rate.
2Reliability
If a standpipe assembly with larger cross-sectional area is implemented, then overfilling is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the standpipe function with the housing structure by integrating the drain path directly into the housing. This combination allows the standpipe assembly to achieve a larger effective cross-sectional area for overflow prevention while avoiding the complexity of separate external drainage components.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it contains the starter components, provides structural support, and acts as part of the drainage system through its integrated drain path. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve reliable overfill prevention without adding dedicated complex drainage structures.
3Productivity
If the standpipe is oriented perpendicular to oil flow, then it provides drainage path, but it interferes with internal oil flow during operation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of orienting the standpipe perpendicular to the oil flow path, the invention inverts the approach by aligning the drain fitting and housing drain path parallel to the internal oil flow direction. This inversion eliminates interference with operational oil flow while maintaining effective gravity drainage through the vertical component of the drain fitting.
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 improved standpipe assemblies enhance the rate of gravity drainage, reducing the risk of overfilling and ensuring uninterrupted oil flow during engine operation, even under conditions like sharp aircraft banking.
Implementation Method 1
Once lubricating fluid has reached a level even with a top of the standpipe assembly (i.e., just below an overfill level), the lubricating fluid starts to drain through the standpipe assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
A standpipe assembly configured to connect to a starter that includes a housing (12) is described herein. The standpipe assembly (70) includes: a standpipe having first (72) and second (80) openings at opposite ends of a hollow passageway, wherein the standpipe, upon being connected to the starter, is oriented within the housing so that the standpipe drains oil through the standpipe when oil in the housing reaches an overfill level, and is oriented in parallel to internal oil flow in the starter to inhibit interference with the internal oil flow during operation of the starter; and an attachment portion, wherein the attachment portion is structured to attach the standpipe assembly to the housing of the starter and prevent movement of the standpipe assembly with respect to the housing of the starter.