Thrust Rod Lubricant Feed Path for Inter-Flow Tank Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accessibility of lubricant reservoirs in the inter-stream compartment of dual-flow turbomachines is hindered by the high density of equipment in a restricted space, making it difficult to fill the reservoirs.
Innovation Solution
A lubricant supply path is established through the hollow interior zone of the connecting rods that take up thrust forces, allowing for remote filling of the reservoir from a less congested area, with optional features including a flexible conduit and non-return means to prevent lubricant accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the lubricant reservoir is placed in the inter-vein compartment to optimize space utilization, then the equipment density is improved, but the accessibility for filling the reservoir deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the filling operation into two separate locations: the inter-vein compartment where the reservoir is located, and the rear end of the connecting rod which provides accessible filling points. The supply path segments the lubricant delivery route, allowing filling to occur at the accessible rear end while the reservoir remains in its space-optimized position within the inter-vein compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting rod acts as an intermediary element between the accessible rear filling point and the reservoir in the inter-vein compartment. The hollow interior zone of the connecting rod serves as a conduit, mediating the transfer of lubricant from the easily accessible rear end to the reservoir located in the congested inter-vein compartment.
2Ease of operation
If the connecting rod is used as a supply path to enable remote filling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting rod is given multiple functions: it continues to perform its primary role of taking up thrust forces while simultaneously serving as a lubricant supply path. The hollow interior zone, which may have been previously unused or used for other purposes, is now utilized for lubricant transport, allowing the same component to fulfill both mechanical support and fluid delivery functions without adding separate dedicated structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting rod's hollow interior zone is utilized to provide its own filling infrastructure. Rather than requiring external filling systems or additional components, the connecting rod itself serves as the supply path, with its hollow structure naturally accommodating the lubricant flow from the rear end to the reservoir.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~3a
Figure 4~5
AI summary
In order to facilitate the filling of a lubricant tank (54), the invention relates to an aircraft engine assembly comprising a dual-flow turbine engine (1) and a pylon (2) for mounting the turbine engine, the assembly comprising thrust-absorbing rods (24) connecting the turbine engine to the pylon, and the turbine engine having an inter-flow compartment (50) housing the tank (54). According to the invention, a lubricant supply path (86) is fluidly connected to the tank, this path passing through an inner hollow region (88) of at least one of the two thrust-absorbing rods (24).