Triangular Pump Cover for Aircraft Integrated Drive Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated drive generators for aircraft gas turbine engines are complex, requiring extensive disassembly for maintenance, which increases costs and time due to numerous parts and gears, leading to vibration and wear issues.
Innovation Solution
A simplified pump assembly with a cover and tubular body housing a charge pump, scavenge pump, and inversion pump, reducing the number of gears and attachment components, and aligning these pumps within a single unit to minimize internal vibration and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple pumps and gears are used to perform oil circulation functions, then the oil circulation capability is improved, but the device complexity increases and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pumps (scavenge pump, charge pump, inversion pump) into a single integrated pump assembly with a common drive shaft. This merging approach maintains the oil circulation capabilities of individual pumps while reducing the overall number of separate components, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously - scavenge pumping, charge pumping, and inversion pumping - all within a single integrated unit. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain comprehensive oil circulation capabilities while reducing the number of separate devices needed.
2Reliability
If multiple pumps and gears are used to perform oil circulation functions, then the oil circulation capability is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple pumps into a single assembly with a common drive shaft and housing, the patent reduces the number of separate components that need to be accessed and maintained. This integration simplifies maintenance procedures while preserving the comprehensive oil circulation functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump assembly is designed as a modular unit that can be removed and serviced as a single entity. This segmentation approach allows maintenance personnel to service the entire pump system without disassembling the entire integrated drive generator, thereby improving ease of repair.
3Reliability
If multiple gears and attachment components are used to connect pumps, then the oil circulation function is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pumps and their drive mechanisms into a single integrated assembly, reducing the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This approach maintains the comprehensive oil circulation function while lowering manufacturing costs through reduced part counts and simplified assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated pump assembly performs multiple oil circulation functions (scavenge, charge, inversion) within a single manufactured unit, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of multiple independent pump systems, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost.
4Reliability
If multiple gears are used to mechanically connect pumps, then the oil circulation capability is improved, but the vibration and wear issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple pumps onto a single drive shaft, the patent eliminates the need for multiple gear sets to connect separate pumps. This reduction in gear interfaces directly reduces vibration sources and wear points while maintaining the comprehensive oil circulation capability through the integrated pump design.
Data Source
AI summary
A cover with a center axis for a pump assembly includes a plate. A center hole is formed in the plate and positioned on the center axis of the cover. A first edge of the plate extends between a first lobe and a second lobe, a second edge of the plate extends between the first lobe and a third lobe, and a third edge of the plate extends between the second lobe and the third lobe. The first, second, and third lobes each comprise a mounting boss with a thru-hole.