With Lubricators Patents (Class 60/39.08)
  • Patent number: 8904753
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a gas turbine engine includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger in communication with a bypass flow through an inlet. A valve is operable to selectively communicate the bypass flow to either the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger through the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20140345246
    Abstract: A sump pressurization system for a gas turbine engine comprises a first hollow shaft and a second hollow shaft disposed within the first hollow shaft and defining a cavity therebetween. Each of the first and second hollow shafts has a common axis of rotation. Also included is a source of pressurized air to pressurize the cavity and a plurality of hollow tubes disposed in the cavity. The tubes are oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation and are connected to and rotatable with the first hollow shaft. A plurality of apertures in the second hollow shaft are in fluid communication with the tubes, such that pressurized air flowing through the tubes passes through the apertures into the interior of the second hollow shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Bala Corattiyil, Richard William Albrecht, JR., Bradley W Fintel, Rebecca J. Schmidt, Scott Wolfer
  • Publication number: 20140345247
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a tank (1) comprising a main body (4) with several compartments (7), a base (6) closing the lower part of the main body (4), and a cover (5) closing the upper part of the main body (4), said method comprising the following steps: shaping sheets to produce the parts making up the tank (1); assembling each of the component parts by butt welding in order to produce the tank (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Techspace Aero S.A.
    Inventors: Albert Cornet, Stéphane Bougelet
  • Patent number: 8893469
    Abstract: An assembly includes a gas turbine engine, a compartment wall, and a gutter system. The gas turbine engine has a spool connected to a fan shaft via a gear system. The compartment wall is positioned radially outward from the gear system. The gutter system is positioned radially outward from the gear system for capturing lubricating liquid slung from the gear system and positioned radially inward of the compartment wall. The gutter system includes a gutter and a flow passage fluidically connected to the gutter. The flow passage has a plurality of holes that allow the lubricating liquid to pass through the flow passage into a space between the flow passage and the compartment wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Enzo DiBenedetto, Francis Parnin, Denman H. James, Robert E. Peters
  • Patent number: 8893856
    Abstract: A generator having an integral oil tank for an auxiliary power unit (APU) is provided. A gas turbine engine has a turbine shaft extending from an aft portion to a forward portion where it is in communication with a gear box mounted thereto. The gearbox advantageously has at least one oil gravity drain passage in flow communication with a lower portion thereof and is suitable for reducing the speed of the turbine shaft by gear reduction to power an oil cooled generator attached thereto. The oil cooled generator has at least one oil gravity drain passage therein. An engine oil tank is integral with and advantageously removable from the generator and is in flow communication with each oil gravity drain passage making is suitable for gravity scavenging oil from the generator and advantageously the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Cristopher Frost
  • Patent number: 8887509
    Abstract: An assembly includes a reservoir, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The first and second sensors are positioned in the reservoir. The controller is connected to both the first and second sensors. The controller sends a full signal when the first sensor indicates that liquid level in the reservoir is at or above a first level. The controller sends a fill signal when the second sensor indicates that liquid level in the sump is at or below a second level. The controller sends an approximate oil level signal with a value estimated based upon elapsed operating time since the reservoir was at or above the first level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Brett Colin Bonner
  • Publication number: 20140331639
    Abstract: The present application relates an oil feed system for a turbomachine having a tank designed to contain a volume of oil, a pump designed to suck the oil from the tank and discharge it to at least one device on the turbomachine, and an anti-siphon valve designed to prevent the flow of oil to the device or devices. The anti-siphon valve is located upstream of the pump and is designed to allow the flow of oil when the speed of the pump becomes higher than a speed R1. The present application also relates to a turbojet fitted with a fan and two anti-siphon valves designed to open at different rotational speeds of the first pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Techspace Aero S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Raimarckers, Albert Cornet
  • Patent number: 8869501
    Abstract: A clamping assembly (2) adapted to clamp a component (4), the assembly comprising: first and second clamping members (10, 20), the first and second clamping members being movable with respect to one another in a first direction to selectively clamp the component therebetween; and a bearing element (30) positionable between the component and one of the first and second clamping members, the bearing element being configured to permit relative movement between the component and one of the first and second clamping members in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Philip T. Howells
  • Patent number: 8870699
    Abstract: A reduction gear box is part of a gas turbine engine and includes a casing and reduction epicyclic gear stages within the casing. The reduction gear stages comprising at least an epicyclic array of gears meshing together with at least one planetary gear mounted for rotation on a gear carrier and a bearing associated therewith. A lubricating oil delivery system is provided within the casing, surrounding a portion of the gear carrier. The oil delivery system includes a conduit; a closed oil reservoir; a first metered opening communicating the conduit with the reservoir and a plurality of metered outlet openings communicating the reservoir with the gear carrier and the bearing such that the reservoir is filled with oil in normal flight operating conditions and the oil trapped in the reservoir is released to the carrier and bearing when a temporary drop in the oil system pressure occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Alain Lewis, Roberto Brito, Michel Desjardins
  • Publication number: 20140311155
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed having a working fluid system capable of moving a working fluid. The working fluid system includes a flow splitter capable of splitting the working fluid into different streams. In one form the flow splitter member is a T-shape, but other embodiments can take on other shapes. The flow splitter can include an internal scoop used to split the flow. In one form internal scoop is annular in shape and includes a turn to direct a split flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Jennifer Ann Lewis, Duane Allen Morris
  • Publication number: 20140311154
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed having a working fluid system capable of moving a working fluid. The working fluid system includes a flow union member capable of combining different streams of working fluid. In one form the flow union member is a T-shape, but other embodiments can take on other shapes. The flow union member is configured to receive separate streams of working fluid. One of the separate streams is routed around another of the separate streams and the streams are combined. In one form the outlet of the flow union member includes an annular flow stream of one of the separate streams that surrounds a core flow of the other of the separate flow streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Jennifer Ann Lewis, Duane Allen Morris
  • Patent number: 8857149
    Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a fan rotatable about an axis, a compressor section, a combustor in fluid communication with the compressor section, a turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor, and a fan drive gear system including a carrier for supporting a plurality of gears. A torque frame is attached to the carrier. A plurality of connectors extends between the carrier and torque frame for securing the torque frame to the carrier. A scupper captures lubricant during gear operation and directing lubricant into a space between at least one of the plurality of connectors and at least one of the torque frame and the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Marc J. Muldoon
  • Patent number: 8844257
    Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for supplying lubricant to a gear assembly in a gas turbine engine includes a valve having a valve inlet configured to be coupled to a source of lubricant. A valve outlet is configured to direct lubricant to the gear assembly. The valve is selectively controllable into a plurality of settings for varying an amount of lubricant flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet. A bypass is associated with the valve. The bypass has an inlet configured to receive lubricant from the source and an outlet configured to direct lubricant to the gear assembly. The bypass permits at least a selected amount of lubricant to flow to the gear assembly independent of a setting of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Erick Ramos, Anthony Spagnoletti
  • Publication number: 20140260176
    Abstract: A bearing lubrication tube for an APU is mounted on a bearing to permit expansion and contraction of the tube along its length while preventing rotational movement of the tube. The bearing lubrication tube is held by a bracket attached to a flange outside the engine. The bracket includes a double hex ring with the outer hex ring engaging the bracket and an inner hex ring engaging the tube to prevent rotation of the tube. A cover on the bracket maintains the double hex ring in position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gordon F. Jewess
  • Patent number: 8833086
    Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for supplying lubricant to a gear assembly in a gas turbine engine includes a valve having a valve inlet configured to be coupled to a source of lubricant. A valve outlet is configured to direct lubricant to the gear assembly. The valve is selectively controllable into a plurality of settings for varying an amount of lubricant flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet. A bypass is associated with the valve. The bypass has an inlet configured to receive lubricant from the source and an outlet configured to direct lubricant to the gear assembly. The bypass permits at least a selected amount of lubricant to flow to the gear assembly independent of a setting of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Erick Ramos, Anthony Spagnoletti
  • Patent number: 8826637
    Abstract: In an arrangement for discharging oil-venting air (oil air) separated by a lubricating oil de-aeration system, kinetic energy of the oil-venting air (O) is increased to a static pressure which exceeds the exhaust-gas flow (A) pressure by a diffuser and the oil-venting air is then mixed with the exhaust-gas flow and discharged with the latter. The venting line (10) coming from the lubricating oil de-aeration system issues into a diffuser (13) which is integrated into the exhaust cone (9) enveloped by the exhaust-gas flow of the engine and whose oil-air outlet opening (14) is connected to the exhaust-gas flow either directly or via an attenuation chamber (18) provided in the exhaust cone. Provision is such made for discharging oil air from the engine to the atmosphere without contaminating visible engine parts and for obtaining a weight reduction due to the reduced length of the venting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Robert Thies
  • Patent number: 8813469
    Abstract: A lubricating system for lubricating components across a rotation gap has an input that provides lubricant to a stationary first bearing. The first bearing has an inner first race in which lubricant flows. A second bearing rotates within the first bearing and has a first opening in registration with the inner first race such that lubricant may flow from the inner first race through the first opening into a first conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 8807282
    Abstract: A lubricant system is disclosed, in particular for the supply of lubricant to a user in a gas turbine aircraft engine. The system includes a lubricant reservoir, where in the lubricant reservoir a lubricant can be set in rotation by at least one rotatable drum that is integrated into the lubricant reservoir or by at least one rotatable blade that is integrated into the lubricant reservoir, such that the lubricant, as a result of centrifugal force, comes into contact against a rotationally symmetrical wall of the lubricant reservoir, and from there can be transported toward a user. A drive system is included for the or each rotatable drum or the or each rotatable blade of the lubricant reservoir. At least one rotating lubricant separator is provided for the venting of the lubricant. The or each lubricant separator can be driven by the drive system of the or of each rotatable drum and/or of the or of each rotatable blade of the lubricant reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Streifinger
  • Publication number: 20140216003
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan, a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section. A fan drive gear system is configured for driving the fan at a speed different than the turbine section. A lubricant system includes a lubricant pump delivering lubricant to an outlet line. The outlet line splits into at least a hot line and into a cool line. The hot line is directed primarily to locations in the gas turbine engine that are not intended to receive cooler lubricant. The cool line is directed through one or more heat exchangers at which the lubricant is cooled, and the cool line then is routed to the fan drive gear system. At least one of the one or more heat exchangers is a fuel/oil cooler at which lubricant will be cooled by fuel leading to the combustion section. The fuel/oil cooler is downstream of a point where the outlet line splits into the at least the hot line and the cool line, such that the hot line is not directed through the fuel/oil cooler. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kathleen R. Phillips, Thomas G. Phillips, Ethan K. Stearns, Federico Papa
  • Publication number: 20140208759
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a heavy duty gas turbine includes a bearing lubrication assembly coupled to the bearing and an oil and vapor extraction assembly disposed in a cavity defined by a bell mouth hood in an air inlet duct. A high volume vacuum blower is coupled to the oil and vapor extraction assembly to provide a relative negative pressure. An oil and vapor separator is disposed downstream from the high volume vacuum blower. The lubrication system also includes a control subsystem that maintains a cavity pressure lower than an air inlet pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio
  • Patent number: 8776952
    Abstract: A heat exchange system for use in operating equipment in which a working fluid is utilized needing a heat exchange system to provide air and working fluid heat exchanges to cool the working fluid at selectively variable rates in airstreams. The system comprises a plurality of heat exchangers including a first heat exchanger in the plurality of heat exchangers that is mounted with respect to the equipment so as to permit corresponding portions of the airstreams to pass through the core thereof during at least some such uses of the equipment. Also, a second heat exchanger is mounted with respect to the equipment so as to selectively permit corresponding portions of the airstreams to pass through the core thereof during such uses of the equipment. A core actuator is mounted with respect to the second heat exchanger to selectively increase or reduce the passing of those corresponding portions of the airstreams through the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Mikhail B. Gorbounov
  • Patent number: 8769962
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a buffer system that includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit can communicate a first buffer supply air to a first portion of the gas turbine engine and the second circuit can communicate a second buffer supply air to a second portion of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, William K. Ackermann, Clifton J. Crawley, Philip S. Stripinis
  • Publication number: 20140174093
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine lube oil system (740) includes a first passage (750) and a second passage (760). The first passage (750) includes a first elongated compartment (751) with a closed end (752) and a first open end (753) distal to the closed end (752). The first passage (750) also includes a plurality of bearing return line connection points. The second passage (760) includes a second elongated compartment (761) with a suction end (762) and a second open end (763) distal to the suction end (762). The first open end (753) is in flow communication with the second open end (763).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: SOLAR TURBINES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Alin Cezar Postescu, Behnam Heydari
  • Patent number: 8756908
    Abstract: A fan drive gear system for a gas turbine engine includes a gear system that provides a speed reduction between a fan drive turbine and a fan and a mount flexibly supporting portions of the gear system. A lubrication system supporting the fan drive gear system provides lubricant to the gear system and removes thermal energy produced by the gear system. The lubrication system includes a capacity for removing energy equal to less than about 2% of energy input into the gear system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune, Frederick M. Schwarz, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann, Jason Husband
  • Publication number: 20140165530
    Abstract: A bi-directional auxiliary lubrication system which allows lubricant to be supplied to moving engine components after a loss of lubricant pressure from a main lubricant tank is disclosed. In a gas turbine engine, the lubrication system may siphon compressed air from a compressor to draw lubricant from a reserve lubricant tank and deliver that lubricant to the engine components. The same conduits used by the lubrication during normal operations are utilized in an opposite direction to provide the flow of lubricant from the reserve lubricant tank during such auxiliary or low-lubricant-pressure operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: United Technologies Corporation
  • Publication number: 20140157750
    Abstract: A turbo-compressor train and a method for assembling a turbo-compressor train. The train includes a gas turbine engine configured to transform thermal energy into mechanical energy; a centrifugal compressor having a shaft connected to a shaft of the gas turbine engine; and a single lube pump configured to provide synthetic oil to the gas turbine engine and the centrifugal compressor. The gas turbine engine, the centrifugal compressor and the single lube pump each has only rolling bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A
    Inventors: Giacomo Landi, Massimo Camatti, Guido Peano, Lorenzo Naldi
  • Patent number: 8746404
    Abstract: Gas turbine engines systems and methods involving oil flow management are provided. In this regard, a oil pressure analysis system for a gas turbine engine is operative to: receive information corresponding to measured oil pressure and rotational speed during a start up of the engine; correlate the information into data sets, each of the data sets containing a measured oil pressure and a corresponding rotational speed; and determine whether the oil flow valve is functioning properly based on the information contained in the data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Mahdy A. Allam
  • Publication number: 20140150400
    Abstract: A fluid system for use with a gas turbine engine includes a reservoir having a reservoir inlet and a reservoir outlet and includes a supply assembly positioned in the reservoir. The supply assembly includes a first passage, a second passage, and a valve disc. The first and second passages are fluidically connected to the reservoir outlet. The valve disc is positioned in the first passage. The valve disc is pivotable about an axis and is weighted to have a center of gravity offset from the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: JinQuan Xu
  • Publication number: 20140150439
    Abstract: A lubrication system is disclosed. The lubrication system may be used in conjunction with a gas turbine engine for generating power or lift. The lubrication system utilized a flow scheduling valve which reduces lubricant flow to at least one component based on an engine load. The lubrication system may further include a main pump which may be regulated by an engine speed. Thus, a lubrication system which provides a lubricant to engine components based on the load and speed of the engine is possible. The system may improve efficiency of the engine by reducing the power previously spent in churning excess lubricant by at least one engine component as well as reducing the energy used by a lubricant cooler in cooling the excess lubricant. The lubricant cooler size may also be minimized to reduce weight and air drag due to the reduced lubricant flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Paul H. Dolman, David M. Daley, Denman H. James, Richard W. Clark
  • Publication number: 20140144120
    Abstract: A mechanical system has a component to be lubricated that requires greater lubrication at lower speed conditions than would be required at higher speed conditions. A lubricant tower is biased to a position allowing a greater flow of lubrication to the component at lower speed conditions, then moved to a position at higher speed conditions where there is a lesser flow of lubrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Slayter, James Vandung Nguyen, Jeffrey A. Stadler, Timothy A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140144121
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having an annular gas path between a radially outer wall and a radially inner wall, leading successively across at least one compressor stage, a combustor section, and at least one turbine stage, a hollow shaft having an internal surface with an oil trap formed therein, and at least one oil recuperation orifice extending out across the hollow shaft from the oil trap; and a bearing cavity formed within the radially inner wall, having at least one bearing therein rotatably supporting the hollow shaft of the gas turbine engine, at least two bearing seals enclosing the at least one bearing in the bearing cavity and separating the bearing cavity from associated buffer air entry points, at least a first one of said buffer air entry points being exposed to the at least one oil recuperation orifice outside the hollow shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Légaré, Alessandro CIAMPA, Michel Labbé
  • Patent number: 8726674
    Abstract: A turboprop propulsion unit for an aircraft comprises a propeller 22 which is driven by a core engine by means of a propeller turbine 26 which drives the propeller 22 through a shaft 28 and a propeller gearbox 24. Restarting of the engine in flight is achieved by windmilling of the propeller 22, which drives a propeller gearbox lubricant pump 30. A diverter valve 40 causes lubricant delivered by the propeller gearbox lubricant pump 30 to be supplied to a turbomachinery lubricant pump 18 along a restart conduit 44, so as to drive the turbomachinery lubricant pump 18 as a motor. Torque generated by the turbomachinery lubricant pump 18 is transferred through an accessory gearbox 12 to a spool 4, 6, 8 of the core engine 2 and to a fuel pump 16. Control of the pitch of blades 36 of the propeller 22 enables the windmilling propeller 22 to achieve a desired speed of the spool 4, 6, 8 and output of the fuel pump 16 sufficient to restart the engine 2, even at low air speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ellans, John H. Martin
  • Publication number: 20140096533
    Abstract: A bearing chamber venting system for an aircraft engine includes at least one bearing chamber air-sealed by sealing air via bearing chamber seals, a vent line connected to the bearing chamber, via which an oil/air mixture present in the bearing chamber is vented out, and an oil separator connected to the vent line. An oil return line is connected to the oil separator via which oil separated from the mixture is discharged. An air outlet line is connected to the oil separator, via which cleaned air is passed to the environment. An air ejector is arranged in the air outlet line to eject gas supplied to the air ejector into the air outlet line at a speed which is greater than the speed of the air flowing in the air outlet line and passed to the environment out of the oil separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Christian HOMEYER, Thomas SCHILLINGER
  • Patent number: 8690098
    Abstract: An ejector nozzle tube, having along its length an essentially constant, essentially oval hollow cross-section, with a leading edge nozzle, having a rounded exterior cross-section, being arranged at a flow leading-edge area of the ejector nozzle tube. The leading edge nozzle includes a plurality of grooves issuing to the top and bottom sides of the ejector nozzle tube and connecting to an interior of the ejector nozzle tube formed by the hollow profile. An aircraft engine has an optimized oil heat exchanger with at least one oil cooler disposed in a trailing-edge area of an aerofoil-type structure, with at least one flow entrance area being provided to supply ambient air to the oil cooler disposed in a flow duct. The ejector nozzle tube can be arranged downstream of the oil cooler in the flow duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Predrag Todorovic
  • Publication number: 20140090355
    Abstract: A disclosed lubrication system for a gas turbine engine includes a primary passage defining a flow path for lubricant to a gas turbine engine and a bypass passage defining a flow path for lubricant around the gas turbine engine. The lubrication system further includes a primary lubrication pump including a reduced total flow capacity of lubricant with a reduced bypass lubricant flow relative to the total overall flow capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Denman H. James, Jorn A. Glahn
  • Publication number: 20140083076
    Abstract: A lubricant supply system for a gas turbine engine has a lubricant lube pump delivering lubricant to an outlet line. The outlet line is split into at least a hot line and into a cool line, with the hot line directed primarily to locations associated with an engine that are not intended to receive cooler lubricant, and the cool line directed through one or more heat exchangers at which lubricant is cooled. The cool line then is routed to a fan drive gear for an associated gas turbine engine. A method and apparatus are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: United Technologies Corporation
  • Patent number: 8677728
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine (10) comprises a diffuser (14) and a nozzle (16) affixed to an annular housing (12), a bearing assembly including first and second bearings (24,26) mounted on a support tube (28) affixed at one end (28a) in cantilever fashion to a radially inner portion (16c) of the nozzle, a compressor (18) and a turbine (20) affixed to axially spaced apart ends of a shaft (22) rotatably mounted in the bearings, and an annular combustor (32) disposed between the compressor and turbine and concentric to the shaft. The diffuser is adjustably attached to the housing external threads (14e) on an outer annular surface of the diffuser and received in internal threads (12e) in an internal annular surface of the housing. An electric generator (42) is disposed radially inward of the annular combustor axially between the diffuser and nozzle. A fuel slinger (30), affixed to the shaft, receives fuel from an air/fuel annulus (88) defined by a stator (44) and a rotor (46) of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Technical Directions, Inc
    Inventors: Joseph J. Kovasity, Vern E. Brooks
  • Publication number: 20140075916
    Abstract: A device and method feeding turbomachines with lubricant, the turbomachine including a first set of bearings and a second set of bearings. Both the first and the second sets of bearings are fed with lubricant, and the second set of bearings operate at a temperature higher than the first set. The second set of bearings is fed with lubricant at a temperature higher than the first set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Turbomeca
    Inventor: Philippe Alain François Augros
  • Patent number: 8640436
    Abstract: With an arrangement for the discharge of oil-contaminated exhaust air separated from the lubricating oil de-aeration system of a gas-turbine engine and led to the atmosphere via a venting line, the venting line (13) issues into an attenuation chamber (12) formed within the exhaust cone (9) of the gas-turbine engine and connected to a Venturi nozzle (14) via a discharge tube (17) for drawing off the oil-contaminated exhaust air and blowing it into the exhaust-gas flow, with the Venturi nozzle (14) being arranged in the exhaust gas-flow of the gas-turbine engine and oriented in a flow direction. The oil-contaminated exhaust air is completely discharged with the exhaust-gas flow without contacting visible engine parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Robert Thies
  • Publication number: 20140026583
    Abstract: A fluid management apparatus and method, the apparatus including: a fluid conduit for the passage of a dispersion containing particulate matter; a laser arranged to provide laser light inside the fluid conduit; wherein, in use, the laser light heats the particulate matter sufficiently to generate incandescence; one or more sensors for detecting the incandescence of the particulate matter so as to determine a characteristic of the dispersion; and an electromagnetic wave generator operable to provide electromagnetic waves inside the fluid conduit at a position downstream of the laser light so as to vaporise at least a portion of the dispersion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Ian C. D. CARE, John D. BLACK
  • Publication number: 20140026534
    Abstract: In an oil supply system for an aircraft engine, including at least one oil circuit, into which an oil tank having a closing valve associated with the outlet opening of the oil tank into a suction line, an oil pump and at least one consumer to be supplied with oil by means of a pressure line are integrated, a negative pressure relief line having a shut-off valve incorporated is connected to the suction line, said negative pressure relief line for ensuring pressure relief in the suction line being connectable after shutdown of the engine to the pressure line or to the ambient air. Via a volume flow limiter designed as a diaphragm and alternatively incorporated into said negative pressure relief line, the suction line can also be connected permanently to the pressure line. A negative pressure occurring in the suction line after shutdown of the engine when the closing valve is closed and the plastic deformation of the suction line as well as a reduction of the pump suction capacity are thus avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Christian Homeyer
  • Patent number: 8627667
    Abstract: A fluid tank structure is disclosed that is integrated within a bypass duct of a turbofan gas turbine engine. The fluid tank structure includes a hollow interior that is closed off when the fluid tank structure is coupled with an inner wall of the bypass duct. The inner wall forms one wall of a fluid tank volume enclosed by the fluid tank structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Roll-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas S. Lozier, Mark E. Bowman, Ronald P. Porter
  • Patent number: 8621839
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine oil system has an air-oil separator for removing air from an air/oil mixture. A breather tube is connected to an exhaust of the air-oil separator for receiving hot air removed from the air/oil mixture in the air-oil separator. The gas turbine engine oil separator exhaust is directed in a cooled oil collector to cause the oil mist remaining in the air at the exit from the engine air-oil separator to condensate. The oil condensate is returned back into the engine oil system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Alecu, Bryan William Olver
  • Patent number: 8601791
    Abstract: Setting in place of one or several coolers in the wall of a secondary flow of a bypass turbomachine. The wall extends from an intermediate casing toward a leading edge of a separator nose between a primary flow and the secondary flow. The wall includes a series of support arms attached to an intermediate casing, distributed over the perimeter of the wall and directed upstream. A series of surface air-oil heat exchangers forming wall segments are arranged end-to-end on the support arms, so as to form an annular wall. A shroud having a leading edge is arranged and fixed in the area of the upstream edges of the heat exchangers, so as to complete the wall. The support arms include hydraulic connectors connected to one another on each arm, adapted to cooperate with corresponding connectors in the area of the heat exchangers and in the area of the intermediate casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Techspace Aero S.A.
    Inventors: Denis Bajusz, David Depaepe, Alain Derclaye, Régis Dupuy
  • Patent number: 8601785
    Abstract: An oil supply system for a gas turbine engine with a centrifugal air/oil separator in fluid communication with the scavenge system to receive the used oil mixture and extract oil and air therefrom, a supply pump in serial connection with the main oil outlet of the separator and in fluid communication with the bearing cavities to deliver the oil thereto, an oil tank in fluid communication with the overflow oil outlet of the separator, and at least one make-up pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the tank and having an outlet in fluid communication with the scavenge system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Pierre-Yves Legare
  • Publication number: 20130318940
    Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for supplying lubricant to a gear assembly in a gas turbine engine includes a valve having a valve inlet configured to be coupled to a source of lubricant. A valve outlet is configured to direct lubricant to the gear assembly. The valve is selectively controllable into a plurality of settings for varying an amount of lubricant flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet. A bypass is associated with the valve. The bypass has an inlet configured to receive lubricant from the source and an outlet configured to direct lubricant to the gear assembly. The bypass permits at least a selected amount of lubricant to flow to the gear assembly independent of a setting of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Erick Ramos, Anthony Spagnoletti
  • Publication number: 20130318939
    Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for supplying lubricant to a gear assembly in a gas turbine engine includes a valve having a valve inlet configured to be coupled to a source of lubricant. A valve outlet is configured to direct lubricant to the gear assembly. The valve is selectively controllable into a plurality of settings for varying an amount of lubricant flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet. A bypass is associated with the valve. The bypass has an inlet configured to receive lubricant from the source and an outlet configured to direct lubricant to the gear assembly. The bypass permits at least a selected amount of lubricant to flow to the gear assembly independent of a setting of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Erick Ramos, Anthony Spagnoletti
  • Publication number: 20130305733
    Abstract: A method for distributing liquid in a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The method includes rotating a fan shaft coupled to a spool via a fan drive gear system. The spool drives rotation of the fan shaft through the fan drive gear system during operation of the gas turbine engine. A pump is driven via the fan shaft. Liquid is supplied from a sump to the pump under a first operating condition. Liquid is supplied from an auxiliary reservoir to the pump under a second operating condition. Liquid is pumped to a damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Enzo DiBenedetto, James B. Coffin, Todd A. Davis
  • Publication number: 20130291514
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an engine static structure housing that includes a compressor section and a turbine section. A core nacelle encloses the engine static structure to provide a core compartment. An oil tank is arranged in the core compartment and is axially aligned with the compressor section. Fan and core nacelles define an annular bypass flow path. The core nacelle provides a core compartment and includes an opening into the core compartment. The oil tank is arranged in the core compartment and includes a portion aligned with the opening that is exposed to the bypass flow path. The engine static structure is supported relative to a fan case by a radial structure. The oil tank is mounted to the engine static structure. An oil fill tube is mounted to the fan case and is fluidly connected to the oil tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Nathan Snape, Christopher M. Dye
  • Patent number: 8572974
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system in a gas turbine engine includes an electric motor, a first fluid pump system and a second fluid pump system. The electric motor operates at a variable speed. The first pump system includes a first pump driven by the motor to deliver a first fluid to the gas turbine engine. The second pump system includes a second pump driven by the motor to deliver a second fluid to the gas turbine engine, the second pump having a variable displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Leo J. Veilleux, Jr.