Damper system for an engine shaft

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11982201-B2
Application number	US-202117644411-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 15, 2021
Priority date	Jul 16, 2021
Publication date	May 14, 2024
Grant date	May 14, 2024

Abstract

An engine assembly defining an axial direction (A) and including a gearbox, an engine core including at least one rotor, and a flexible coupling shaft having a first end and a second end along the axial direction (A). The first end of the flexible coupling shaft is connected to the engine core and the second end of the flexible coupling shaft is connected to the gearbox. A damper system is positioned at the second end of the flexible coupling shaft. The damper system is configured to reduce vibrations to the flexible coupling shaft during operation of the engine assembly.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An engine assembly defining an axial direction (A), the engine assembly comprising:
a gearbox;
an engine core comprising at least one rotor;
a flexible coupling shaft having a first end and a second end along the axial direction (A), wherein the first end of the flexible coupling shaft is connected to the engine core and the second end of the flexible coupling shaft is connected to the gearbox;
a damper system positioned at the second end of the flexible coupling shaft, wherein the damper system is configured to reduce vibrations to the flexible coupling shaft during operation of the engine assembly; and
(i) a channel and an oil space configured to distribute pressurized oil (P) to the damper system, and (ii) a circumferential oil-filled oil pressure room connected to the channel and configured to receive the pressurized oil (P).

2. The engine assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an external oil jet configured to provide oil to an area around the second end of the flexible coupling shaft.

3. The engine assembly of claim 1 , wherein the damper system comprises a ball bearing configured to provide the pressurized oil (P) to the flexible coupling shaft.

4. The engine assembly of claim 3 , wherein the ball bearing comprises a ball positioned between an outer ring and an inner ring, such that the circumferential oil-filled oil pressure room is created around the outer ring of the ball bearing.

5. The engine assembly of claim 1 , wherein the damper system comprises a journal bearing that defines an oil distributor configured to provide the pressurized oil (P) to the flexible coupling shaft.

6. The engine assembly of claim 5 , wherein the oil distributor comprises an outer housing and an inner bush configured to receive the flexible coupling shaft.

7. The engine assembly of claim 6 , wherein the oil distributor further comprises an inner oil distribution portion having radial holes configured to supply the pressurized oil (P) to the inner bush.

8. The engine assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an epicyclical gear train disposed within the gearbox, the epicyclical gear train being configured to connect the flexible coupling shaft to the gearbox.

9. The engine assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a propeller assembly having a propeller shaft that is configured to engage with the epicyclical gear train, wherein the engine core generates energy that is transferred to the propeller shaft.

10. The engine assembly of claim 8 , wherein the epicyclical gear train comprises a sun gear and one or more planet gears configured to engage with the sun gear.

11. The engine assembly of claim 10 , wherein each planet gear of the one or more planet gears includes a spur gear, and wherein the epicyclical gear train further comprises a ring gear that is configured to engage with each spur gear of each planet gear of the one or more planet gears.

12. The engine assembly of claim 10 , wherein the flexible coupling shaft is configured to engage with the sun gear of the epicyclical gear train.

13. The engine assembly of claim 10 , wherein the flexible coupling shaft is coupled to the sun gear of the epicyclical gear train via a flexible connection.

14. The engine assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flexible coupling shaft is connected to the engine core via a fixed connection.

Assignees

• Ge Avio Srl

Inventors

• Garabello Marco
• Iurlaro Simone
• Garofalo Salvatore
• Gargioli Alessio
• Argentieri Giuseppe

Classifications

• F01D5/026 Primary

  Shaft to shaft connections · CPC title

• F02C7/36

  Power transmission arrangements between the different shafts of the gas turbine plant, or between the gas-turbine plant and the power user ({F02C3/107 - F02C3/13 and} F02C7/32 take precedence; couplings for transmitting rotation F16D; gearing in general F16H) · CPC title

• F02C9/00

  Controlling gas-turbine plants; Controlling fuel supply in air- breathing jet-propulsion plants (controlling air intakes F02C7/057; controlling turbines F01D; controlling compressors F04D27/00; controlling in general G05) · CPC title

• F16C1/02

  for conveying rotary movements · CPC title

• F16D3/06

  specially adapted to allow axial displacement · CPC title