SHAFT ANTI-ROTATION DEVICE

• US 20170356452A1
• Filed: 06/13/2016
• Published: 12/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rtx Corporation
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Mastro, Jacob Peter
• Granted Patent: US 10,316,855 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 21/14 responsive to other specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/18 Lubricating arrangements of machines or engines in general F01M
• 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: F02C 7/36 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 Class Codes: F02K 3/06 with front fan
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 19/002 Axial flow fans
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/054 Arrangements for joining or assembling shafts
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/329 Details of the hub
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2220/32 in gas turbines
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/4023 through a friction clutch
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/40311 of the epicyclical, planetary or differential type
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2270/116 by preventing reverse rotation
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 41/07 between two cylindrical surfaces

Abstract

A gas turbine engine includes a fan and a first drive shaft connected to the fan. A fan drive gear box connects the first drive shaft to a second drive shaft and is configured to allow the first drive shaft to rotate at a different speed than the second drive shaft. The gas turbine engine also includes a sprag clutch disposed circumferentially around the first shaft and connected to the first drive shaft. The sprag clutch is configured to allow rotation of the first drive shaft and the fan in a first direction while prohibiting rotation of the fan and the first drive shaft in a second direction.

Claims

1. A gas turbine engine comprises:

a fan;

a first drive shaft connected to the fan;

a fan drive gear box connecting the first drive shaft to a second drive shaft and configured to allow the first drive shaft to rotate at a different speed than the second drive shaft;

a sprag clutch disposed circumferentially around the first shaft and connected to the first drive shaft, wherein the sprag clutch is configured to allow rotation of the first drive shaft and the fan in a first direction while prohibiting rotation of the fan and the first drive shaft in a second direction.

2. The gas turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the gas turbine engine further comprises:

a lubrication pump mechanically connected to the first drive shaft and configured to pump lubricating fluid to the fan drive gear box when the first drive shaft is rotated in a first direction.

3. The gas turbine engine of claim 2, wherein the lubrication pump is configured to pump the lubrication fluid to the fan drive gear box after shutdown of the gas turbine engine.

4. The gas turbine engine of claim 2, wherein the gas turbine engine further comprises:

a fan hub connecting the fan to the first drive shaft;

a bearing compartment positioned axially between the fan hub and the fan drive gear box, wherein the bearing compartment comprises a stationary case that extends circumferentially around the first drive shaft and around the sprag clutch.

5. The gas turbine engine of claim 4, wherein the sprag clutch comprises an outer race that is connected to the stationary case of the bearing compartment such that the outer race does not translate relative the stationary case.

6. The gas turbine engine of claim 5, wherein the gas turbine engine further comprises:

a first bearing assembly disposed in the bearing compartment between the stationary case and the first drive shaft; and

wherein the sprag clutch is positioned axially aft the first bearing assembly.

7. The gas turbine engine of claim 6, wherein the gas turbine engine further comprises:

a second bearing assembly disposed in the bearing compartment between the stationary case and the first drive shaft,

wherein the sprag clutch is positioned axially between the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly.

8. The gas turbine engine of claim 6, wherein the gas turbine engine further comprises:

a spacer disposed between the first drive shaft and the sprag clutch,

wherein the spacer is connected to the first drive shaft and rotates with the first drive shaft.

9. The gas turbine engine of claim 8, wherein the spacer comprises a first plurality of splines that mesh with a second plurality of splines formed on the first drive shaft.

10. The gas turbine engine of claim 9, wherein the spacer forms an inner race of the sprag clutch.

11. A gas turbine engine comprises:

a fan;

a first drive shaft connected to the fan;

a fan drive gear box connecting the first drive shaft to a second drive shaft and configured to allow the first drive shaft to rotate at a different speed than the second drive shaft;

a lubrication pump mechanically connected to the first drive shaft and configured to pump lubricating fluid to the fan drive gear box when the first drive shaft is rotated in a first direction; and

a sprag clutch connected to at least one of the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft and configured to allow rotation of the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft in the first direction while prohibiting rotation of the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft in a second direction.

12. The gas turbine engine of claim 11, wherein the sprag clutch is connected to the first drive shaft and disposed around the first drive shaft.

13. The gas turbine engine of claim 12, wherein the gas turbine engine further comprises:

a fan hub connecting the fan to the first drive shaft; and

a bearing compartment positioned axially between the fan hub and the fan drive gear box, and

wherein the sprag clutch is disposed within the bearing compartment.

14. The gas turbine engine of claim 13, wherein the sprag clutch further comprises:

a stationary outer race extending circumferentially around the first drive shaft;

an inner race disposed radially inward from the stationary outer race; and

a plurality of sprags disposed between the stationary outer race and the inner race.

15. The gas turbine engine of claim 14, wherein the inner race is connected to the first drive shaft and is configured to rotate with the first drive shaft.

16. The gas turbine engine of claim 15, wherein the gas turbine engine further comprises:

a first bearing assembly disposed in the bearing compartment; and

wherein the sprag clutch is positioned axially aft the first bearing assembly.

17. The gas turbine engine of claim 16, wherein the gas turbine engine further comprises:

a second bearing assembly disposed in the bearing compartment and disposed aft of the first bearing assembly,

wherein the sprag clutch is positioned axially between the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly.

18. The gas turbine engine of claim 16, wherein the gas turbine engine further comprises:

a preload spring extending axially between the stationary outer race of the sprag clutch and an outer race of the first bearing assembly.

19. The gas turbine engine of claim 11, wherein the lubrication pump is configured to pump the lubrication fluid to the fan drive gear box after shutdown of the gas turbine engine.