Emergency Subsystem for a Fluid System

• US 20120227820A1
• Filed: 11/16/2009
• Published: 09/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Textron Innovations Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Poster, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 9,599,212 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/20 Arrangements of several outlets along elongated bodies, e.g. perforated pipes or troughs, e.g. spray booms spray booms for agricultural uses A01M7/0071; spray bars for treating roads E01C19/176; Outlet elements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 14/00 Arrangements for collecting, re-using or eliminating excess spraying material arrangements integral with nozzles B05B1/28
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 9/002 incorporating means for heating or cooling, e.g. the material to be sprayed
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 9/0409 the pumps being driven by a hydraulic or a pneumatic fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 9/0423 for supplying liquid or other fluent material to several spraying apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 1/18 Indicating or safety devices concerning lubricant level F01M11/06, F01M11/12
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/10 Indicating devices; Other safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/001 Heating
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0416 Air cooling or ventilation
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0442 for supply in case of failure, i.e. auxiliary supply
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/045 Lubricant storage reservoirs, e.g. reservoirs in addition to a gear sump for collecting lubricant in the upper part of a gear case
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2260/00 Fail safe
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2260/50 After-lubrication
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 39/04 by heating heat-exchangers in general F28
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 7/40 in a closed circulation system
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8593 Systems

Abstract

A fluid system includes an emergency subsystem and a main subsystem in fluid communication with a working element. The main subsystem is in fluid communication with the emergency subsystem. The system operates in a standard mode and an emergency mode. During standard mode, both the main and emergency subsystems jointly provide fluid to the working element. During emergency mode, the emergency subsystem is configured for independently providing fluid to the working element.

Claims

1. A system for providing a fluid to a working element, the system comprising:

a main reservoir in fluid communication with the working element; and

an emergency reservoir in fluid communication with the working element;

wherein the system operates in a standard mode and in an emergency mode;

wherein the main reservoir is configured for supplying the fluid to the emergency reservoir during standard mode;

wherein the main and emergency reservoirs are configured for jointly supplying the fluid to the working element during standard mode; and

wherein the emergency reservoir is configured for independently providing the fluid to the working element during emergency mode.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is a lubricant.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the working element is an aircraft component.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the working element is a gearbox.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a valve in fluid communication with the emergency reservoir;

wherein the valve is configured for allowing the fluid to travel from the main reservoir to the emergency reservoir during standard mode while preventing the fluid from traveling from emergency reservoir to the main reservoir during emergency mode.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the valve is a passive valve.

7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a drive subsystem operably associated with the emergency reservoir;

wherein the drive subsystem is configured for directing the fluid from the emergency reservoir to the working element.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the drive subsystem comprises:

an actuator; and

a piston coupled to the actuator;

wherein the piston is disposed within the emergency reservoir; and

wherein the actuator traverses the piston.

9. The system according to claim 8, further comprising:

a control station operably associated with the drive subsystem;

wherein the control station is configured for regulating the traverse speed of the piston.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the traverse speed is increased as more fluid is needed by the working element and decreased when less fluid is needed by the working element.

11. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an injection jet in fluid communication with the emergency reservoir;

wherein the injection jet is configured for injecting the fluid at selected areas within the working element.

12. An emergency subsystem configured for providing a fluid to a working element, the emergency subsystem comprising:

an emergency reservoir in fluid communication with the working element; and

a drive subsystem;

wherein the emergency subsystem receives the fluid from a main reservoir;

wherein the emergency subsystem operates in a standard mode and in an emergency mode;

wherein the emergency subsystem is configured for directing the fluid received from the main reservoir to the working element during standard mode; and

wherein the drive subsystem is configured for directing the fluid from the emergency reservoir to the working element during emergency mode.

13. The emergency subsystem according to claim 12, wherein the fluid is a lubricant.

14. The emergency subsystem according to claim 12, wherein the drive subsystem comprises:

an actuator; and

a piston coupled to the actuator;

wherein the piston is disposed within the emergency reservoir; and

wherein the actuator traverses the piston.

15. The system according to claim 14, further comprising:

a control station configured for regulating the traverse movement of the piston.

16. The emergency subsystem according to claim 12, further comprising:

a valve in fluid communication with the emergency reservoir;

wherein the valve is configured for allowing the fluid to travel from the main reservoir to the emergency reservoir during standard mode while preventing the fluid from traveling from emergency reservoir to the main reservoir during emergency mode.

17. The emergency subsystem according to claim 12, further comprising:

an injection jet in fluid communication with the emergency reservoir;

wherein the injection jet is configured for injecting the fluid at selected areas within the working element.

18. A method, comprising:

supplying a fluid to a working element from an emergency subsystem;

wherein the emergency subsystem receives the fluid from a main subsystem;

wherein the emergency subsystem operates in a standard mode and in an emergency mode;

wherein the emergency subsystem is configured for directing the fluid received from the main subsystem to the working element during standard mode; and

wherein the emergency subsystem is configured for independently providing the fluid to the working element during emergency mode.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the directing of the fluid from the emergency subsystem to the working element comprises:

providing pressure to the fluid with a drive subsystem.

20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

preventing the backflow of the fluid from the emergency subsystem to the main subsystem with a valve during emergency mode.