Waisted Oil Tank Structure for Stable Level Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large capacity oil tank systems in gas turbine engines face issues with oil agitation and re-aeration due to the extended vertical extent, leading to unrepresentative oil level indications and splash, which can affect the reliability of oil recirculation systems.
Innovation Solution
The oil tank system is designed with multiple waisted sections that guide and adhere oil droplets and films, reducing re-aeration through sloped surfaces and restriction apertures, and includes air communication lines and baffles to minimize swirling and air pocket formation, along with sensors for level and temperature monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the oil tank capacity is increased to store more oil for recirculation, then the oil storage capacity is improved, but the vertical extent of the tank increases causing oil to fall a substantial distance from the de-aerator, resulting in oil agitation, splash, partial reaeration, and unrepresentative oil level indication
Solution Approach 1:
The oil tank is segmented into multiple sections by waisted sections that create intermediate collection points for oil. These waisted sections divide the vertical drop into smaller segments, preventing a single substantial fall of oil from the de-aerator outlet to the tank bottom, thereby reducing agitation and maintaining accurate level indication.
Solution Approach 2:
The waisted sections act as intermediary structures between the de-aerator outlet and the main oil tank body. They provide intermediate surfaces that catch and guide oil, mediating the transition from the de-aerator outlet to the tank interior and preventing direct substantial falls that would cause agitation.
2Quantity of substance
If the oil tank capacity is increased to store more oil for recirculation, then the oil storage capacity is improved, but oil splash and partial reaeration occur during deposition, worsening oil quality
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the tank interior with waisted sections, the oil deposition process is divided into multiple smaller stages rather than a single large drop. This segmentation reduces the kinetic energy of falling oil and minimizes splash and reaeration at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The waisted sections convert the potentially harmful effect of falling oil into a beneficial guided flow. The upper face of each waisted section catches falling oil and redirects it along a controlled path, transforming random splashing into directed flow that reduces agitation and reaeration.
3Quantity of substance
If the oil tank capacity is increased resulting in extended vertical extent, then the oil storage capacity is improved, but oil agitation occurs during deposition, worsening oil stability
Solution Approach 1:
The waisted sections segment the oil deposition process, creating multiple intermediate collection points that reduce the overall vertical drop. This segmentation maintains oil stability by preventing large-scale agitation that would occur with a single substantial fall into a deep tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The waisted sections serve as intermediary structures that mediate between the de-aerator outlet and the main oil body. They provide controlled guidance for oil flow, reducing turbulent agitation and maintaining oil composition stability during the deposition process.
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
This design enhances oil adhesion and reduces re-aeration, providing a stable and accurate oil level indication, ensuring efficient oil recirculation and minimizing agitation in large capacity oil tank systems.
Implementation Method 1
This process may be achieved by inducing a vortex within the oil flow, the air that separates during the vortex then being released from the oil tank system 42 by a venting pipe 46.
Implementation Method 2
inducing a vortex within the oil flow, the air that separates during the vortex
Implementation Method 3
the upper face configured to catch oil from above the waisted section and to guide oil to a lower face of the waisted section
Implementation Method 4
oil leaving the de-aerator and being deposited in the oil tank may fall a substantial distance from the de-aerator, depending on the oil level within the oil tank, resulting in agitation of the oil surface
Data Source
AI summary
An oil tank system (100) for a gas turbine engine is provided. The oil tank system (100) includes an oil tank (102) having an upper tank portion (112) and a lower tank portion (114), a waisted section (118) being provided between the upper tank portion (112) and the lower tank portion (114). Oil is received by a de-aerator (104) of the system (100) which supplies de-aerated oil to the upper tank portion (112). The waisted section (118) includes an upper face (119) configured to catch oil drips from above the waisted section (118) and to guide oil to a lower face (121) of the waisted section (118).