Turbine Engine Electric Machine Integration via Rotating Coupler
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for structures and architectures that facilitate the arrangement of an electric machine within the core of a gas turbine engine to reduce the overall size of the engine, as existing solutions do not effectively integrate the electric machine within the engine core.
Innovation Solution
The turbine engine assembly includes a rotating structure, a turbine engine apparatus with an electric machine and a gearbox, a rotating coupler, and a seal assembly, which allows for the integration of the electric machine within the engine core by using a rotating coupler to connect the electric machine rotor and stator, and a seal assembly to seal the annular gap between the rotating and stationary structures, enabling lubricant circuits to provide lubrication to various components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electric machine is arranged within the engine core, then the overall size of the gas turbine engine is reduced, but the structural complexity increases due to the need for rotating couplers and seal assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The electric machine is nested within the engine core, with the rotor positioned inside the engine core and the stator arranged around it. The rotating coupler connects these components while passing through the seal assembly, creating a compact integrated structure that reduces overall engine volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating coupler acts as an intermediary component that connects the electric machine rotor and stator while allowing relative rotation. The seal assembly serves as another intermediary that maintains sealing between rotating and stationary parts, enabling the compact integration without compromising functional requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating coupler is used to connect the electric machine rotor and stator, then the electric machine can be integrated within the engine core, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to the complex rotating connections
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating coupler and seal assembly serve as intermediary components that enable the integration of the electric machine within the engine core. These intermediaries facilitate the connection between rotating and stationary parts while maintaining the necessary functional requirements for detection and measurement.
3Reliability
If the seal assembly is used to seal the annular gap between rotating and stationary structures, then the integration is effective, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly acts as an intermediary component that seals the annular gap between rotating and stationary structures. This sealing element is integrated into the rotating coupler assembly, providing reliable sealing while maintaining the compact design and functional requirements of the system.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes a first rotating structure, a turbine engine apparatus, a rotating coupler and a seal assembly. The first rotating structure is configured to rotate about a rotational axis. The turbine engine apparatus includes an electric machine and a second rotating structure. The electric machine includes an electric machine rotor and an electric machine stator. The second rotating structure is configured to rotate about the rotational axis and is coupled to the electric machine rotor. The rotating coupler is coupled to the first rotating structure by a first connection. The rotating coupler is coupled to the second rotating structure by a second connection. The seal assembly includes a rotating seal land and a stationary seal element. The rotating seal land is mounted onto the rotating coupler. The stationary seal element sealingly engages the rotating seal land.