Gas Turbine Patents (Class 184/6.11)
  • Patent number: 8356694
    Abstract: A recirculating lubrication system for a gas turbine engine comprises: a storage reservoir for storing a quantity of lubrication oil for the engine; an operating reservoir for supplying lubrication oil for the engine; a transfer valve with an inlet coupled to an outlet of the storage reservoir and an outlet coupled to an inlet of the operating reservoir to transfer the quantity of lubrication oil from the storage reservoir to the operating reservoir before starting the engine; and a pump for circulating the transferred lubrication oil through at least one engine bearing and back to the operating reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney
    Inventor: Anthony C Jones
  • Publication number: 20130015018
    Abstract: A sealing device for a chamber including at least one rotary member and at least one static member of a jet engine and can contain a lubricating oil droplet suspension. The sealing device includes at least one brush seal that includes juxtaposed strands and is set to ensure sealing between at least one rotary member and at least one stationary member, a mechanism to recover part of the oil suspended within the inner space of the chamber, and a mechanism to deliver the recovered oil. The delivery mechanism is set up to generate a flow of oil along the strands of the brush seal, the oil flow being oriented in the direction of the rotary member. The brush seal thus provides better resistance to coking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Gerard Philippe Gauthier, Serge Rene Morreale
  • Publication number: 20130008745
    Abstract: A lubrication system is provided for delivering a lubricant to a plurality of nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Rich Barrett, Larry Ball, Douglas Spencer, Victor Reyes, Don Rossi, Alan Tiltman, Daniel Troller, James Ebken, Mike O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8348017
    Abstract: An assembly includes a reservoir for holding a fluid, and a scavenge passage connected to the reservoir at a reservoir inlet. The scavenge passage returns the fluid from a delivery location to the reservoir. A bleed passage is connected in fluid communication between the reservoir and the scavenge passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Dickie, Larry W. Spires
  • Patent number: 8312702
    Abstract: An oil recovery device is disclosed. The oil recovery device includes two bearing supports mounted on an inter-turbine casing, a first bearing and a second bearing mounted on the bearing supports, a low-pressure turbine journal mounted rotating with respect to the inter-turbine casing, a fixed ferrule, and an oil passage provided in the low-pressure turbine journal making it possible to discharge the oil inside the fixed ferrule. The ferrule is preferentially widened from the end at which the oil is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Jacques René Bart, Serge René Morreale, Jean-Luc Soupizon
  • Patent number: 8312969
    Abstract: A lubrication system for an aircraft engine includes a lubrication fluid tank and a fluid passage communicating with the tank to define an entry of the passage inside the tank. The entry is positioned in a location submerged in the lubrication fluid for delivery of the lubrication fluid under a pressure differential, from the tank to the lubrication system regardless of the tank or aircraft attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Tuyen Trong Hoang
  • Patent number: 8292034
    Abstract: The present invention provides an air-oil separator comprising a first region having a mixture of air and oil, a second region wherein separation of at least some of the oil from the air-oil mixture occurs and at least one multi-directional injector plug located on a rotating component in flow communication with the first region and the second region, the multi-directional injector plug having a discharge head that is oriented such that at least a part of the air-oil mixture discharged therefrom has a component of velocity that is tangential to the direction of rotation of the rotating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Kevin Mount, Richard Walker Nicholson, Duane Howard Anstead, Robert Proctor, Pradeep Hemant Sangli, Prasad Laxman Kane, Mark Leonard Hopper
  • Patent number: 8292510
    Abstract: A system for removing oil from a bearing compartment has a port connected to an end wall of the compartment through which the oil exits the compartment, a scavenge scoop connected to the port for collecting the oil, and a separation device connected to the scavenge scoop for creating an oil collection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, Denman H. James, William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 8281563
    Abstract: A gas-turbine bearing oil system with an oil supply arrangement includes at least one oil pump 5 supplying oil from an oil tank 1 to the bearing chambers 2, 3, 4 and at least one scavenge pump unit 6 returning oil from the bearing chambers 2, 3, 4 to the oil tank 1 At least one additional electric scavenge pump 7 is used to return oil from at least one bearing chamber 2, 3, 4 to the oil tank 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Arnaud Pisseloup
  • Patent number: 8256575
    Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing a flow of ambient air into a bearing lubricating oil system are provided. The system includes a lubricating oil bearing cover that is stationary with respect to the bearing wherein the bearing is configured to support a portion of a rotatable machine shaft. The cover includes a first end cap extending radially inwardly towards the shaft such that a cavity surrounding the bearing is formed by the cover and the first end cap and a set of seal rings positioned substantially concentric with the shaft and forming a seal against lubricating oil flow. The seal rings include a plurality of wire bristles extending radially inwardly from the end cap wherein the wire bristles are configured to extend to a surface of the shaft when assembled and the bristles are configured to present a tortuous flow path to gas infiltrating the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Nathan Robert Berberich
  • Patent number: 8256576
    Abstract: An oil circulation system for a gas turbine engine includes a variable displacement scavenge pump for pumping oil, a first actuator for controlling displacement of the scavenge pump, a variable displacement pressure pump for pumping oil, a second actuator for controlling displacement of the pressure pump, and a drive shaft. Both the scavenge pump and the pressure pump are driven by the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, Denman H. James
  • Patent number: 8245818
    Abstract: A method for scavenging oil in a gas turbine engine comprises using a driving fluid flow to drive a flow of a fluid collected in an oil system of the engine to pass through an ejector and then the driven flow of the fluid is directed to be discharged into an oil tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Daniel T. Alecu
  • Patent number: 8235647
    Abstract: A gas turbine has a rear bearing chamber 2 including a bearing arrangement 1. A vent valve 14 vents the bearing chamber 2 as a function of relative pressure of the bearing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Arnaud Pisseloup, Brian Giessel
  • Patent number: 8230974
    Abstract: A pump system for lubricating a bearing in a gear system of a gas turbine engine includes a main pump, an auxiliary pump, an auxiliary reservoir, a sump, and a valve system. The main pump is fluidically connected to the bearing through a main supply passage. The auxiliary pump is fluidically connected to the bearing through an auxiliary supply passage. The valve system transfers lubricating liquid from the main pump to the bearing under a first set of engine operating conditions. The valve system transfers lubricating liquid from the auxiliary reservoir to the sump and from the sump through the auxiliary pump to the bearing under a second set of engine operating conditions. The valve system transfers lubricating liquid from the auxiliary reservoir through the auxiliary pump, bypassing the sump, to the bearing under a third set of engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Francis Parnin
  • Publication number: 20120181113
    Abstract: An oil scavenge system of a gas turbine engine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a housing defined about an axis of rotation, the housing confining an air/oil mixture in motion within the housing and defining an oil scavenge area below the axis of rotation. The housing further includes an outlet at a low location of the housing. A churning damper is supported within the housing and is located in the oil scavenge area. The churning damper includes at least one plate, allowing the air/oil mixture in motion to pass over or through the plate only in a peripheral area of the at least one plate to cause flow energy dissipation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Daniel T. ALECU, Kenneth PARKMAN
  • Publication number: 20120181112
    Abstract: An assembly for holding a fluid includes an auxiliary reservoir inside a main reservoir. The auxiliary reservoir includes an auxiliary reservoir shell with a fill passage at or near its bottom. The auxiliary reservoir shell also has a vent passage at or near its top. The fill passage and the vent passage fluidically connect the auxiliary reservoir to the main reservoir. A fluid inlet is located inside the main reservoir and outside of the auxiliary reservoir. A fluid outlet located inside the auxiliary reservoir between the fill passage and the vent passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert D. Szolomayer, David L. Motto
  • Patent number: 8215454
    Abstract: A lubrication system includes an auxiliary lubricant tank 48, a supply conduit 58 extending from a source of lubricant 26 to the auxiliary lubricant tank. A reduced-G bypass line 108 branches from the conduit and enters the auxiliary tank at a first elevation E1. The system also includes an auxiliary tank discharge conduit 116, a portion of which resides within the tank. The resident portion has an opening 122 at least partially at a second elevation E2 higher than the first elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Portlock, Michael E. McCune, Louis J. Dobek
  • Patent number: 8210316
    Abstract: An oil scavenge system includes a scavenge pipe which extends forward into a relatively long and narrow compartment area of a rear bearing compartment of a gas turbine engine with aggressive core size constraints. The scavenger pipe communicates collected oil to a scavenger pump to return oil to the oil sump and evacuate the oil before flooding of the seals may occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Enzo DiBenedetto, Todd A. Davis
  • Patent number: 8205427
    Abstract: A heat exchange system for use in operating equipment having a plurality of subsystems in each of which one of a plurality of working fluids is utilized to provide selected operations with there being an air and working fluid heat exchanger providing controlled cooling to cool at least one of the plurality of working fluids in its corresponding subsystem. In addition, a coupling heat exchanger is also provided connected to two of the subsystems to pass there working fluids therethrough, including the subsystem with the air and working fluid heat exchanger, to allow one of the connected subsystems to aid in cooling the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick W. Schwarz, Jorn A. Glahn
  • Patent number: 8201663
    Abstract: A lubrication scavenge system is disclosed herein. The lubrication scavenge system includes a sump housing substantially encircling a structure disposed for rotation about an axis. The sump housing has an inwardly-facing surface extending at least partially about the axis in a spiral path. The spiral path increases in radial distance from the axis in the direction of rotation of the structure, in a plane perpendicular to the axis. The spiral path extends 360°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: John Munson
  • Patent number: 8201662
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to selectively control lubricant supply flow to a rotating machine that is installed in an aircraft having ram air turbine that is movable between at least a deployed position and a stowed position. A controller determines at least when the ram air turbine is in the deployed position, and determining when rotational speed of the rotating machine exceeds a predetermined value. The electric motor driven lubrication pump is at least selectively energized to control the measured lubricant pressure to a predetermined minimum pressure at least when the ram air turbine is deployed and the rotational speed exceeds the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Delaloye, Matthew Christopher
  • Patent number: 8191686
    Abstract: A method of providing a standby lubrication for an engine in the event of the failure of a main lubrication system of this engine, in which the failure is detected and, in response to the detection of this failure, at least one portion of a fuel fluid of the engine is tapped off to lubricate at least one element of the engine. A standby lubrication device includes a device for detecting a failure of a main lubrication system, a device for tapping off at least a portion of a fuel fluid of the engine in order to direct it to at least one element of the engine intended to be lubricated, and a controller connected to the tapping and detection devices, in order to carry out the standby lubrication method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Jean Pierre Galivel
  • Patent number: 8181746
    Abstract: An assembly for holding a fluid includes an auxiliary reservoir inside a main reservoir. The auxiliary reservoir includes an auxiliary reservoir shell with a fill passage at or near its bottom. The auxiliary reservoir shell also has a vent passage at or near its top. The fill passage and the vent passage fluidically connect the auxiliary reservoir to the main reservoir. A fluid inlet is located inside the main reservoir and outside of the auxiliary reservoir. A fluid outlet located inside the auxiliary reservoir between the fill passage and the vent passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Szolomayer, David L. Motto
  • Patent number: 8167091
    Abstract: An oil scavenge system of a gas turbine engine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a housing defined about an axis of rotation, the housing confining an air/oil mixture in motion within the housing and defining an oil scavenge area below the axis of rotation. The housing further includes an outlet at a low location of the housing. A churning damper is supported within the housing and is located in the oil scavenge area. The churning damper includes at least one plate, allowing the air/oil mixture in motion to pass over or through the plate only in a peripheral area of the at least one plate to cause flow energy dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Alecu, Kenneth Parkman
  • Publication number: 20120080272
    Abstract: An assembly includes a reservoir for holding a fluid, and a scavenge passage connected to the reservoir at a reservoir inlet. The scavenge passage returns the fluid from a delivery location to the reservoir. A bleed passage is connected in fluid communication between the reservoir and the scavenge passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul A. Dickie, Larry W. Spires
  • Patent number: 8146711
    Abstract: An assembly includes a reservoir for holding a fluid, and a scavenge passage connected to the reservoir at a reservoir inlet. The scavenge passage returns the fluid from a delivery location to the reservoir. A bleed passage is connected in fluid communication between the reservoir and the scavenge passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Dickie, Larry W. Spires
  • Patent number: 8127828
    Abstract: A heat exchange system for use in fluid operated equipment to provide air and working fluid heat exchanges to cool the working fluid in airstreams on a stream side of a wall. An actuator is mounted to be substantially located on a side of the wall opposite the stream side thereof having a positionable motion effector. A heat exchanger core having a plurality of passageway structures therein to enable providing the working fluid to, and removal therefrom. The heat exchanger core is mounted on the motion effector so as to be extendable and retractable thereby through the opening for selected distances into that region to be occupied by the airstreams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Frederick L. Elsaesser
  • Patent number: 8113317
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to selectively control lubricant supply flow to one or more rotating machines in an aircraft when the rotating machines are windmilling. A controller determines if the rotating machines are windmilling. When the rotating machines are windmilling, the controller at least selectively energizes an electric motor driven lubrication pump, to thereby supply lubricant to the windmilling turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Jim E. Delaloye
  • Patent number: 8109365
    Abstract: An engine supercharger lubricating apparatus is provided with an oil passage, a pump and an air introducing passage. The oil passage is configured and arranged to supply a lubricating oil to a supercharger of an engine and to return the lubricating oil from the supercharger to an oil pan. The pump is arranged in the oil passage at a location downstream of the supercharger for pumping the lubricating oil from the supercharger to the oil pan. The air introducing passage is arranged to introduce air into the oil passage at a location downstream of the supercharger and upstream of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Arata Taguchi, Hidetsugu Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20110315484
    Abstract: A lubrication system for an aircraft engine includes a lubrication fluid tank and a fluid passage communicating with the tank to define an entry of the passage inside the tank. The entry is positioned in a location submerged in the lubrication fluid for delivery of the lubrication fluid under a pressure differential, from the tank to the lubrication system regardless of the tank or aircraft attitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Tuyen Trong HOANG
  • Patent number: 8083030
    Abstract: An oil system (118) for a tip turbine engine (10) includes an annular lubricating fluid plenum (136) which sprays lubricating fluid through a multitude of lubricating fluid passages (144, 146, 148) and into the multitude of passages (152, 154, 156) located within a gearbox assembly (90) as they revolve thereby. Lubricating fluid is thereby communicated directly into the gearbox assembly (90) and returned to a sump tank (140) through a multitude of drain passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Portlock
  • Patent number: 8083469
    Abstract: A bearing lubrication system for a high temperature bearing, such as in a small gas turbine engine for a UAV, in which the bearing and lubricant requires a long shelf life, where the bearing includes a solid lubricant movable within a chamber formed within a housing and located adjacent to the bearing. The solid lubricant is biased by a spring toward the bearing and abuts against a runner that rotates along with the rotor shaft during engine operation. A cooling air passage opens into a space formed between the bearing and the solid lubricant to supply cooling air through the bearing. When the engine operates, heat is transferred through the runner to the solid lubricant to melt the lubricant. Rubbing of the runner against the biased solid lubricant will also melt the lubricant. The melting lubricant is carried by the cooling air through the bearing to provide both cooling and lubrication for the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Pinera
  • Publication number: 20110302903
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a gas turbine engine includes a variable output lubricant pump operable to supply lubricant to an actuator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Leo J. Veilleux, JR.
  • Patent number: 8066472
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a bearing assembly includes a fan shaft with a plurality of conduits, a first bearing rotatably supporting the fan shaft, and a second bearing rotatably supporting the fan shaft where the second bearing is axially spaced from the first bearing. The plurality of conduits includes at least a first conduit aligned with the first bearing and a second conduit aligned with the second bearing. A spray bar includes a plurality of supply orifices that direct lubricating fluid to the first and second bearings via at least the first and second conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James B. Coffin, David M. Daley, Brady Walker
  • Publication number: 20110284328
    Abstract: An assembly that includes an accessory gearbox (AGB) and a tank for a liquid lubricant for a turbojet engine. The AGB includes a gear connected to parallel shafts for mechanically driving accessories. The assembly includes a housing with two compartments and a partition perpendicular to the shafts for separating the compartments, a compartment defining the accessory gearbox and a compartment defining the liquid tank. The assembly can be compact and easily manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: HISPANO SUIZA
    Inventors: Bernard Brandt, Frederic Cotin, Andre Raymond Christian Deperrois
  • Patent number: 8051952
    Abstract: The invention relates to a deoiling device. It comprises a tube (46), a first bearing (16) and a second bearing (18), the first and second bearings being placed in an oil chamber (20) in which an oil fog is maintained by rotation of the bearings. A deoiler (30) is provided in one wall of the oil chamber. The deoiler centrifuges oil in suspension in air and allows a deoiled air flow to pass inside the tube. The tube (46) comprises a closing cap (48) fitted with one or several outlet orifices (50) in its upper part designed to evacuate air, and an oil drain orifice (52) in its lower part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Jacques Rene Bart, Jacky Raphael Michel Derenes, Stephane Rousselin
  • Patent number: 8047332
    Abstract: A drive gear includes a plurality of internal radial channels extending between the axial bore and the periphery of the gear, and an axial bore includes a lubricant distribution structure therein to provide lubrication where the teeth of the drive gear mesh with the teeth of a gear driven by the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Gordon O. Salmela, Joseph A. Creonte
  • Patent number: 8020664
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbomachine comprising an air compressor (3) and a lubrication circuit with an oil tank (1), said oil tank (1) being possibly isolated from the rest of the lubrication circuit (4,4A; 6,6A) by means of an isolation valve (7), wherein the isolation valve (7) is configured so as to: operate, i.e. to close and open respectively as the engine (2) stops and starts; remain open when the engine (2) is running; remain closed when the engine (2) is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Techspace Aero S.A.
    Inventors: Albert Cornet, Marc Mon Fort
  • Patent number: 8015810
    Abstract: A lubrication control system includes an accumulator to store oil. The accumulator can be filled with oil during operation of an engine. A control valve can be selectively operated to allow oil stored in the accumulator to flow to a turbocharger. At least one control module can control operation of a hybrid electric vehicle and determine an operating condition of the engine and command the control valve to open and close based on the operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Mark A. Theobald
  • Patent number: 7971423
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine incorporating a starter mounted on the gear box is disclosed. The gas turbine engine includes an AGB gear housing mechanically connected with an engine shaft for driving auxiliary machines and an air starter mounted on the housing, the starter and housing enclosures being in communication such that the lubricating oil of the starter should be distributed from the AGB housing. The oil enclosure of the starter is pressurized by a source of air, being independent from the AGB housing. Advantageously, the pressurization air is taken from a pressurization enclosure of an engine bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hispano Suiza
    Inventors: Chloe Avila, Jean-Louis Charbonnel, Marie-Lise Dardenne, Corinne Follonier, Pierre Charles Mouton
  • Publication number: 20110155508
    Abstract: An oil circulation system for a gas turbine engine includes a variable displacement scavenge pump for pumping oil, a first actuator for controlling displacement of the scavenge pump, a variable displacement pressure pump for pumping oil, a second actuator for controlling displacement of the pressure pump, and a drive shaft. Both the scavenge pump and the pressure pump are driven by the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, Denman H. James
  • Patent number: 7963371
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a uniform application of an appropriate quantity of lubricant to the internal threads of a pipe. In general, the apparatus includes a high pressure supply of lubricant and a high speed, rotating centrifugal applicator for evenly applying the lubricant to internal threads. The system also includes a dosing system to regulate the distribution of lubricant by dispensing a consistent volume of lubricant at each application. Potential advantages of the embodiments include the repeatability and consistency of amount of lubricant on pipe threads (e.g. thickness).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: Jaroslav Belik
  • Patent number: 7954599
    Abstract: A gear mechanism comprising at least two toothed parts accommodated in a casing, a storage tank that stores oil to be injected into each meshing zone of the at least two tooth parts, a first receptacle built into the casing for receiving oil, a second receptacle that communicates with the first receptacle into which the oil can flow from the first receptacle, the second receptacle in turn communicating with the storage tank. Oil is conveyed from the storage tank to each meshing zone at a pressure greater than the pressure prevailing in the casing, internal pressure in the casing is reduced, and oil is drained to the storage tank. The first and second receptacles have a substantially identical pressure, while the storage tank is generally maintained at atmospheric pressure. The gear mechanism operates at atmospheric pressure if the gear mechanism fails to reduce internal pressure in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Flender Graffenstaden
    Inventors: Alain Antonetti, Etienne Lauffenburger, Peter Leoni, Patrick Loos
  • Publication number: 20110108360
    Abstract: An assembly for capturing lubricating liquid from a fan drive gear system of a gas turbine engine includes a gutter and an auxiliary reservoir. The gutter is positioned radially outward from a centerline axis of the gear system for capturing lubricating liquid slung from the gear system. The auxiliary reservoir is fluidically connected to the gutter for receiving and storing the lubricating liquid from the gutter. A portion of the auxiliary reservoir and a portion of the gutter have a same radial distance from the centerline axis of the gear system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Enzo DiBenedetto
  • Patent number: 7938230
    Abstract: A device for lubricating a component in an assembly of parts comprises a lubricant distribution chamber arranged in the vicinity of the component and formed by an annular setback in a ring mounted on a part of the assembly, said setback being closed automatically when the ring is mounted by means of a corresponding surface of the part into which there open out channels or ducts formed in the part and feeding the setback with lubricant and/or connecting the setback to means for taking lubricant to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Régis Servant, Gaël Bouchy, Guy Lapergue
  • Patent number: 7931124
    Abstract: A method of oil flow management for a gas turbine engine includes moving oil from a tank to a compartment using a pressure pump, moving oil from the compartment to the tank using a scavenge pump, and at least temporarily increasing a rate at which oil is moved with the scavenge pump by a greater amount than a rate at which oil is moved with the pressure pump to create at least a partial vacuum to negatively pressurize the compartment to reduce oil leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, Denman H. James
  • Patent number: 7913815
    Abstract: Disclosed is a solution to automate a seal oil float trap by-pass for a hydrogen cooled generator. An automated by-pass system is coupled to an existing manual by-pass system for a float trap for a hydrogen cooled generator. The automated by-pass system includes at least one solenoid valve and a controller that controls opening and closing of the solenoid valve. The automated by-pass system can also include manual valves, orifices and limit switches. The controller activates the solenoid valve to allow the seal oil to drain. The controller can also provide a notification alarm that the hydrogen cooled generator is being purged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ravindra Annigeri, Patrick William Anglin, Marlowe Cameron Bjorklund, Leigh-Ann Darden Heuser, Reginald Wayne Kemp, David Lee Rogers
  • Patent number: 7908840
    Abstract: A heat exchange system for use in operating equipment having a plurality of subsystems in each of which a common working fluid is utilized to provide selected operations in that subsystem with a reservoir containing at least some of the common working fluid and has both a supply system and a return system connected between the reservoir and each of the plurality of subsystems through which any common working fluid in the reservoir can be conveyed. An airstream heat exchanger is provided connected in one of the supply and return systems so as to have the common working fluid conveyed therethrough cooled at selectively variable rates in the airstreams passing thereby during at least some such uses of the operating equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Jorn A. Glahn
  • Patent number: 7905325
    Abstract: A pumped oil delivery system for delivering oil to moving parts of an aircraft jet engine includes a scoop delivery pump and an accumulator oil reservoir to maintain oil feed to the pump at all times. The system includes a first line to feed oil from the scoop pump to the oil reservoir, a second line to return oil from the oil reservoir to the scoop pump, and pressurized air for pressurizing the oil within the oil reservoir so as to maintain a continuous feed of oil to the pump. The system includes further lines for delivering oil from the scoop pump to the moving parts and for returning oil from the moving parts to the scoop pump. Moving parts include a self scavenging gear box utilizing the centrifugal pumping action of its gears to return oil to the scoop pump, and self scavenging bearing chambers using centrifugal effects of their rotating parts also to return oil to the scoop pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Norman J Wedlake, Christopher Wright, Robin M Coleman, John A Rumbelow
  • Publication number: 20110048856
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a gas turbine engine including at least one porous element located in a cavity containing at least one rotating component receiving a flow of the lubricant, the porous element being located across a path taken by a portion of the lubricant expelled from the at least one respective rotating component such that the portion of the lubricant circulates therethrough, the at least one porous element being made of a material resistant to a temperature of the lubricant, the at least one porous element reducing a velocity of the portion of the lubricant circulating therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Patrick Thivierge, Mélanie Papilton, Pierre Gauvin, Patrick Arkinson, Robert Scandella, Tom Haslam-Jones, Ritchie Domingo