Variable Oil Flow Control for Multi-Consumer Turbine Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil flow control systems in gas turbine engines face challenges in providing reliable and variable oil flow rates to multiple oil consumers, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential damage due to inadequate lubrication or cooling.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a variable flow oil pump and an oil flow control valve, controlled by an oil flow controller, which adjusts the oil flow based on the variable consumption demand of oil consumers, utilizing flow rate data from sensors to ensure precise oil delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed flow oil pump is used, then the system structure is simple, but the oil flow rate cannot be adjusted to match variable consumption demand of oil consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a variable flow oil pump that can dynamically adjust its output flow rate based on the consumption demand of oil consumers. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to varying operational conditions while maintaining reliable lubrication and cooling, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and system complexity.
2Reliability
If oil flow rate is not precisely controlled, then the control system is simple, but inadequate lubrication or cooling can occur leading to potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates flow rate sensors that provide feedback to the oil flow controller, which then adjusts the variable flow oil pump output accordingly. This closed-loop feedback control ensures precise oil delivery to match consumption demand, thereby improving reliability while managing control system complexity through automated regulation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple oil consumers are served by a single oil system, then the system structure is simplified, but it becomes difficult to provide custom lubrication and cooling to each consumer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the oil distribution system into multiple controllable branches, each serving specific oil consumers. The variable flow oil pump can selectively supply oil to different branches based on their individual consumption demands, enabling custom lubrication and cooling for each consumer while maintaining a relatively simplified overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine oil flow control system can include a variable flow oil pump useful to provide oil at varying rates to a variety of oil consumers, such as, power gearboxes, engine shaft bearings, electrical generators, etc. Oil flow control valves that have an ability to provide a variable flow of oil can be used in conjunction with the variable flow oil pump. Flow sensors can be used along with an oil flow controller to measure a flow of oil at various points in the gas turbine engine oil flow control system. The oil flow controller can use information from the flow sensors along with a variable consumption demand association with one or more of the oil consumers (either provided to the oil controller or calculated based upon an operational need of the oil consumer) to change operation of the variable flow oil pump and/or oil flow control valve.