On-demand lubrication system and method for improved flow management and containment
First Claim
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1. A method of oil flow management for a gas turbine engine, the method comprising:
- 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.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of oil flow management for a gas turbine engine, the method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An oil circulation system for a gas turbine engine, the system comprising:
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a tank; a compartment where oil is utilized; a variable displacement scavenge pump for pumping oil from the compartment to the tank; a first actuator for controlling displacement of the scavenge pump; a variable displacement pressure pump for pumping oil from the tank to the compartment; a second actuator for controlling displacement of the pressure pump; and a drive shaft for the gas turbine engine, wherein both the scavenge pump and the pressure pump are driven by the drive shaft. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An oil circulation system for a gas turbine engine, the system comprising:
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a compartment where oil is utilized; a pressure pump for pumping oil to the compartment; a scavenge pump for pumping oil out of the compartment, wherein a pumping rate of the scavenge pump is variable, wherein the pumping rate of the scavenge pump is selected as a function of engine operating speed, and wherein the pumping rate of the scavenge pump is selected to be greater than a pumping rate of the pressure pump. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification