Tapered Oil Collection Gutter for Turbine Gear Train Lubrication

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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, particularly during negative g maneuvers.

Innovation Solution

A turbine engine system with a gutter that has a radially disposed channel with a tapered cross-sectional geometry, featuring multiple regions with distinct geometries and widths, which enhances fluid capture efficiency by directing fluid radially outward and reducing gas-to-fluid ratio, thereby minimizing swirl and leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional gutter configuration is used, then the structure is simple, but the oil capture efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil capture efficiencyVSAvoidgutter structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gutter channel is divided into multiple sections along its length, with each section having a different cross-sectional geometry. The channel transitions from a first geometry near the gear train to a second geometry toward the outlet, allowing optimized oil capture in different regions while maintaining a continuous integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the gutter channel are given different geometric properties tailored to their specific functions. The upstream portion has geometry optimized for capturing oil from the gear train, while the downstream portion has geometry optimized for directing oil to the outlet, creating local optimization without requiring completely separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the gutter has uniform cross-sectional geometry, then the manufacturing is simple, but the fluid capture efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid capture efficiencyVSAvoidchannel geometry fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gutter channel geometry varies dynamically along its length rather than remaining static and uniform. This gradual transition in cross-sectional geometry allows the channel to adapt its properties along the flow path, optimizing performance while using a continuous monolithic structure that can be manufactured in one piece.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cross-sectional parameters of the channel (such as width, height, and shape) are changed progressively along the length of the gutter. This allows optimization of oil capture efficiency at different locations while maintaining manufacturability through controlled geometric transitions that can be achieved with standard manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the channel is short and direct, then the fluid path is short, but the gas-to-fluid ratio is high causing swirl and leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil collection effectivenessVSAvoidgas interference and air choking

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gutter channel incorporates curved and tapered geometries rather than straight angular paths. The curved transitions help guide the oil flow smoothly while reducing the impact of gas swirl, allowing the channel to better capture and direct oil despite the presence of rotating gas flows from the gear train.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The channel geometry is designed to work with the rotating oil-gas mixture rather than against it. By positioning the channel outlet strategically and using tapered geometries, the design converts the rotational motion and gas flow into beneficial effects that help direct oil toward the outlet while minimizing harmful swirl and leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 system significantly improves fluid capture efficiency, ensuring adequate lubrication and power transfer efficiency while reducing gas interference and air choking, thus optimizing the performance of the gear train.

Implementation Method 1

At least a portion of the channel has a cross-sectional channel geometry that tapers axially as the channel extends radially towards the channel end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGeometric flow control:

Data Source

PatentUS11060417B2Fluid collection gutter for a geared turbine engine

Publication Date: 2021.07.13 RTX CORP

AI summary

A turbine engine system includes a gutter and a gear train with an axial centerline. The gutter is disposed radially outside of the axial centerline. The gutter at least partially circumscribes the gear train, and includes an inner surface and a channel. The channel receives fluid directed out of the gear train. The channel extends radially into the gutter from the inner surface to a channel end, and circumferentially to a channel outlet. At least a portion of the channel has a cross-sectional channel geometry that tapers axially as the channel extends radially towards the channel end.