Epicyclic system with bevel attachment for dual-power applications

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12460706-B2
Application number	US-202318533770-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 8, 2023
Priority date	Dec 8, 2023
Publication date	Nov 4, 2025
Grant date	Nov 4, 2025

Abstract

A reduction gearbox of an aircraft propulsion system includes an input shaft configured to input rotational energy into the reduction gearbox, an output shaft configured to output rotational energy from the reduction gearbox to a propulsor of the aircraft propulsion system, and an epicyclic gear arrangement mechanically coupling the output shaft to the input shaft. A transfer gear is positioned at a component of the epicyclic gear arrangement and is configured to mechanically couple an accessory component to the reduction gearbox.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A reduction gearbox of an aircraft propulsion system, comprising:
an input shaft configured to input rotational energy into the reduction gearbox; an output shaft configured to output rotational energy from the reduction gearbox to a propulsor of the aircraft propulsion system; an epicyclic gear arrangement mechanically coupling the output shaft to the input shaft; a transfer gear disposed at a component of the epicyclic gear arrangement and configured to mechanically couple an accessory component to the reduction gearbox; wherein the transfer gear is a bevel gear disposed at one of a planet carrier or a ring gear of the epicyclic gear arrangement, the transfer gear configured to be coupled directly to a corresponding component bevel gear of an accessory gear train of the accessory component.

2 . The reduction gearbox of claim 1 , wherein the epicyclic gear arrangement is configured as one of a planetary arrangement or a solar arrangement.

3 . The reduction gearbox of claim 1 , wherein the transfer gear is disposed at an outer circumference of one of the planet carrier or the ring gear of the epicyclic gear arrangement.

4 . A reduction gearbox and accessory component arrangement of an aircraft propulsion system, comprising:
a reduction gearbox including:
an input shaft configured to input rotational energy into the reduction gearbox;
an output shaft configured to output rotational energy from the reduction gearbox to a propulsor of the aircraft propulsion system;
an epicyclic gear arrangement mechanically coupling the output shaft to the input shaft; and
a transfer gear disposed at a component of the epicyclic gear arrangement; and
an accessory component mechanically coupled to the epicyclic gear arrangement via the transfer gear to transmit rotational energy between the reduction gearbox and the accessory component;
wherein the transfer gear is a bevel gear disposed at one of a planet carrier or a ring gear of the epicyclic gear arrangement, the transfer gear configured to be coupled directly to a corresponding component bevel gear of an accessory gear train of the accessory component.

5 . The reduction gearbox and accessory component arrangement of claim 4 , wherein the epicyclic gear arrangement is configured as one of a planetary arrangement or a solar arrangement.

6 . The reduction gearbox and accessory component arrangement of claim 4 , wherein the transfer gear is disposed at an outer circumference of one of the planet carrier or the ring gear of the epicyclic gear arrangement.

7 . The reduction gearbox and accessory component arrangement of claim 4 , wherein the accessory component is mechanically coupled to the transfer gear via the accessory gear train including at least one gear train shaft.

8 . The reduction gearbox and accessory component arrangement of claim 7 , wherein the at least on gear train shaft is two gear train shafts, including:
a first gear train shaft coupled to the transfer gear and extending in a first direction therefrom; and a second gear train shaft coupled to the first gear train shaft and extending from the first gear train shaft in a second direction different than the first direction.

9 . The reduction gearbox and accessory component arrangement of claim 4 , wherein the accessory component is one of a generator or a motor.

10 . A propulsion system of an aircraft, comprising:
an engine configured to provide rotational energy to a reduction gearbox, the reduction gearbox including:
an input shaft configured to input rotational energy into the reduction gearbox;
an output shaft configured to output rotational energy from the reduction gearbox;
an epicyclic gear arrangement mechanically coupling the output shaft to the input shaft; and
a transfer gear disposed at a component of the epicyclic gear arrangement;
an accessory component mechanically coupled to the epicyclic gear arrangement via the transfer gear to transmit rotational energy between the reduction gearbox and the accessory component; and
a propulsor operably connected to the output shaft and driven by rotation of the output shaft;
wherein the transfer gear is a bevel gear disposed at one of a planet carrier or a ring gear of the epicyclic gear arrangement, the transfer gear configured to be coupled directly to a corresponding component bevel gear of an accessory gear train of the accessory component.

11 . The propulsion system of claim 10 , wherein the epicyclic gear arrangement is configured as one of a planetary arrangement or a solar arrangement.

12 . The propulsion system of claim 10 , wherein the transfer gear is disposed at an outer circumference of one of the planet carrier or the ring gear of the epicyclic gear arrangement.

Assignees

• Pratt & Whitney Canada

Inventors

• Brito Roberto

Classifications

• F16H2057/02082

  for application in vehicles other than propelling, e.g. adjustment of parts · CPC title

• F16H2057/02043

  for vehicle transmissions · CPC title

• F16H2057/0203

  the gearbox is associated or combined with a crank case of an engine · CPC title

• F05D2260/40311

  of the epicyclical, planetary or differential type · CPC title

• F01D15/12

  Combinations with mechanical gearing (driven by multiple engines F01D13/00) · CPC title