OIL SLINGER WITH CONVECTIVE COOLING OF RADIAL SURFACE

• US 20160238135A1
• Filed: 03/21/2016
• Published: 08/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rtx Corporation
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Clark, Thomas E., Mundell, Eric Charles, Grogg, Gary L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,443,732 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/12 Cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/18 Lubricating arrangements of machines or engines in general F01M
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/183 Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/06 Arrangements of bearings bearings F16C; Lubricating of turbo machines F01D25/18; of machines or engines in general F01M
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2220/323 for aircraft propulsion, e.g. jet engines
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2230/60 Assembly methods
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2240/55 Seals
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/20 Heat transfer, e.g. cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/168 which permits material to be continuously conveyed
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

Oil slinger systems include a seal runner comprising an annular radial member having a radius (R) and an outer axially extending member having an axial length (L) such that a ratio (L/R) is between 0.8 and 1.4, the annular radial member disposed at a first angle with respect to the outer axially extending member, a heat shield in mechanical communication with the seal runner, and a volume bounded by an outer face of the annular radial member and an inner face of the heat shield. Methods of radial convective cooling include pumping a cooling liquid through the oil slinger system and convectively cooling the oil slinger.

Claims

1. An oil slinger system comprising:

a seal runner comprising an annular radial member having a radius (R) and an outer axially extending member having an axial length (L) such that a ratio (L/R) is between 0.8 and 1.4, the annular radial member disposed at a first angle with respect to the outer axially extending member;

a heat shield in mechanical communication with the seal runner; and

a volume bounded by an outer face of the annular radial member and an inner face of the heat shield.

2. The oil slinger system according to claim 1, wherein the seal runner further comprises an inner axially extending member, the inner axially extending member disposed at a second angle with respect to the annular radial member, wherein the inner axially extending member comprises

a lower oil passage configured to receive a lubricating oil;

and

a radial oil passage configured to permit the lubricating oil to pass from the lower oil passage and through the inner axially extending member to an inner face of the annular. radial member.

3. The oil slinger system according to claim 1, wherein the heat shield terminates at a distance less than R.

4. The oil slinger system according to claim 1, wherein the heat shield comprises a nickel alloy.

5. The oil slinger system according to claim 2, wherein the second angle is between about 75 degrees and about 90 degrees.

6. The oil slinger system according to claim 2, wherein the second angle is 90 degrees.

7. The oil slinger system according to claim 1, wherein the ratio (L/R) is 1.

8. The oil slinger system according to claim 2, wherein the length (L) of the outer axially extending member is greater than an axial length (I) of the inner axially extending member.

9. A cooling system comprising:

a cooling liquid; and

the oil slinger system according to claim 1.

10. The oil slinger system according to claim 1, wherein the seal runner comprises a smooth inner face of the annular radial member.

11. The oil slinger system according to claim 1, wherein the seal runner comprises an inner face of the annular radial member comprising at least one of a groove extending in a radial direction and a rib extending in a radial direction.

12. The oil slinger system according to claim 1, wherein the seal runner comprises at least one of steel, titanium, and alloys thereof.

13. The oil slinger system according to claim 1, wherein a distance (D) between the heat shield and the annular radial member of the seal runner is such that a ratio (D/R) is between about 0.02 and about 0.20.

14. The oil slinger system according to claim 13, wherein the ratio (D/R) is between about 0.05 and 0.08.

15. A method of assembling an oil slinger system comprising:

disposing a heat shield in mechanical communication with a seal runner, wherein the seal runner comprises an annular radial member having a radius (R) and an outer axially extending member having an axial length (L) such that a ratio (L/R) is between 0.8 and 1.4, the annular radial member disposed at a first angle with respect to the outer axially extending member;

pressing the seal runner axially onto a shaft; and

forming a volume bounded by an outer face of the annular radial member and an inner face of the heat shield.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the seal runner further comprises an inner axially extending member, the inner axially extending member disposed at a second angle with respect to the annular radial member, wherein the inner axially extending member comprises

a lower oil passage configured to receive a lubricating oil;

and

a radial oil passage configured to permit the lubricating oil to pass from the lower oil passage and through the inner axially extending member to an inner face of the annular radial member.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising disposing the shaft in mechanical communication with a turbine.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the second angle is between about 75 degrees and about 90 degrees.

19. A method of radial convective cooling comprising:

pumping a cooling liquid through an oil slinger system; and

convectively cooling the oil slinger, wherein the oil slinger comprises

a seal runner comprising an annular radial member having a radius (R) and an outer axially extending member having an axial length (L) such that a ratio (L/R) is between 0.8 and 1.4, the annular radial member disposed at a first angle with respect to the outer axially extending member;

a heat shield in mechanical communication with the seal runner; and

a volume bounded by an outer face of the annular radial member and an inner face of the heat shield.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the seal runner further comprises an inner axially extending member, the inner axially extending member disposed at a second angle with respect to the annular radial member, wherein the inner axially extending member comprises

a lower oil passage configured to receive a lubricating oil;

and

a radial oil passage configured to permit the lubricating oil to pass from the lower oil passage and through the inner axially extending member to an inner face of the annular radial member.