Accessory gearbox

• US 7,500,365 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2005
• Issued: 03/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Merry, Brian, Suciu, Gabriel
• Primary Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, WILLIAM H
• Application Number:
  US11/122,336
• Publication Number:
  US 20060248900A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,405 Days
• Field of Search: 608/02, 60/398.3, 74D/IG.5
• US Class Current: 60/802
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/32 Arrangement, mounting, or driving, of auxiliaries
• 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: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 74/05 Gas turbine with gearing

Abstract

Provided is an accessory gearbox for a gas turbine engine that contributes minimally to engine weight and complexity. An accessory gearbox comprises a stationary frame that is circumferentially disposed about a central longitudinal axis of the engine. The frame includes a forward-directed axial face and a rearward-directed axial face for fastening the frame to the engine. A central bore accepts a rotational driving means and an outermost rim circumscribes the outer diameter of the frame. A compartment is located between the bore and the rim. At least one primary accessory is mounted to a face and proximate the compartment, remotely engaging the driving means and able to be driven concurrently therewith.

Claims

1. An accessory gearbox for use in a gas turbine engine comprising:

a stationary frame, said frame circumferentially disposed about a central longitudinal axis of the engine and including

a forward-directed axial face, a rearward-directed axial face, a central bore, an outermost rim, an inner hub extending radially outward from the bore, an inner diameter annular duct extending radially outward from the hub, a compartment extending radially outward from the inner diameter annular duct, an outer diameter annular duct extending radially outward from the compartment to the outermost rim;

a rotational driving means disposed about the axis, said driving means extending into the central bore;

a rotational tower shaft, said tower shaft including a first end for engaging the driving means and a second end disposed in the compartment; and

at least one primary accessory mounted to a face and proximate the compartment, said at least one primary accessory extending into the compartment and engaging the tower shaft second end and able to be driven concurrently therewith.

2. The accessory gearbox of claim 1 wherein said at least one primary accessory is selected from the group consisting of a starter, an integrated drive generator, a fuel pump, a hydraulic pump, a lubrication scavenge pump, a de-oiler, and a permanent magnet alternator.

3. The accessory gearbox of claim 2 wherein at least one of the primary accessories is mounted to the rearward-directed face.

4. The accessory gearbox of claim 2 wherein said at least one primary accessory consists of the starter.

5. The accessory gearbox of claim 2 wherein the at least one primary accessory further engages at least one secondary accessory selected from the group consisting of a starter, an integrated drive generator, a fuel pump, a hydraulic pump, a lubrication scavenge pump, a de-oiler, and a permanent magnet alternator.

6. The accessory gearbox of claim 5 wherein at least one of the secondary accessories is mounted to a face and proximate the compartment.

7. The accessory gearbox of claim 6 wherein at least one of the secondary accessories is mounted to the rearward-directed face.

8. The accessory gearbox of claim 5 wherein at least one of the secondary accessories is mounted to the at least one primary accessory and able to be driven concurrently there with.

9. The accessory gearbox of claim 5 further comprising at least one tertiary accessory mounted to a face and proximate the compartment selected from the group consisting of an oil filter, a metal chip detector, and an oil pressure-regulating valve.

10. The accessory gearbox of claim 9 wherein at least one of the tertiary accessories is mounted to the rearward-directed face.

11. The accessory gearbox of claim 1 wherein said driving means is a rotor spool.

12. The accessory gearbox of claim 1 wherein said driving means is a rotor shaft.

13. The accessory gearbox of claim 1 wherein said driving means operates at a first speed and said tower shaft operates at a second speed that is different than the first speed.

14. The accessory gearbox of claim 1 wherein said frame is a mid compressor frame.

15. In a gas turbine engine with a rotational driving means, an accessory gearbox comprising:

a stationary frame, said frame including a forward-directed axial face, a rearward-directed axial face, a radially innermost bore, a radially outermost rim and a compartment located between the bore and the rim;

at least one primary accessory mounted to a face and proximate the compartment, said primary accessory remotely engaging the driving means and able to be driven concurrently therewith and said at least one primary accessory is selected from the group consisting of a starter, an integrated drive generator, a fuel pump, a hydraulic pump, a lubrication scavenge pump, a de-oiler, and a permanent magnet alternator; and

wherein the at least one primary accessory further engages at least one secondary accessory selected from the group consisting of a starter, an integrated drive generator, a fuel pump, a hydraulic pump, a lubrication scavenge pump, a de-oiler, and a permanent magnet alternator.

16. The frame of claim 15 wherein at least one of the secondary accessories is mounted to a face and proximate the compartment.

17. The frame of claim 16 wherein at least one of the secondary accessories is mounted to the rearward-directed face.

18. The frame of claim 15 wherein at least one of the secondary accessories is mounted to the at least one primary accessory and able to be driven concurrently there with.

19. The frame of claim 15 further comprising at least one tertiary accessory mounted to a face and proximate the compartment selected from the group consisting of an oil filter, a metal chip detector, and an oil pressure-regulating valve.

20. The frame of claim 19 wherein at least one of the tertiary accessories is mounted to the rearward-directed face.

21. An accessory gearbox for use in a gas turbine engine comprising:

a stationary frame, said frame circumferentially disposed about a central longitudinal axis of the engine and including a forward-directed axial face, a rearward-directed axial face, an innermost diameter bore, an outermost diameter rim and a compartment located between the bore and rim;

a rotational driving means;

a rotational tower shaft, said tower shaft including a first end for engaging the driving means and a second end disposed in the compartment; and

at least one primary accessory mounted to a face and proximate the compartment, said at least one primary accessory extending into the compartment and engaging the tower shaft second end and able to be driven concurrently therewith.

22. The accessory gearbox of claim 21 wherein said at least one primary accessory is selected from the group consisting of a starter, an integrated drive generator, a fuel pump, a hydraulic pump, a lubrication scavenge pump, a de-oiler, and a permanent magnet alternator.

23. The accessory gearbox of claim 22 wherein at least one of the primary accessories is mounted to the rearward-directed face.

24. The accessory gearbox of claim 22 wherein said at least one primary accessory consists of the starter.

25. The accessory gearbox of claim 22 wherein the at least one primary accessory further engages at least one secondary accessory selected from the group consisting of a starter, an integrated drive generator, a fuel pump, a hydraulic pump, a lubrication scavenge pump, a de-oiler, and a permanent magnet alternator.

26. The accessory gearbox of claim 25 wherein at least one of the secondary accessories is mounted to a face and proximate the compartment.

27. The accessory gearbox of claim 26 wherein at least one of the secondary accessories is mounted to the rearward-directed face.

28. The accessory gearbox of claim 25 wherein at least one of the secondary accessories is mounted to the at least one primary accessory and able to be driven concurrently there with.

29. The accessory gearbox of claim 25 further comprising at least one tertiary accessory mounted to a face and proximate the compartment selected from the group consisting of an oil filter, a metal chip detector, and an oil pressure-regulating valve.

30. The accessory gearbox of claim 29 wherein at least one of the tertiary accessories is mounted to the rearward-directed face.

31. The accessory gearbox of claim 21 wherein said driving means is a rotor spool.

32. The accessory gearbox of claim 21 wherein said driving means is a rotor shaft.

33. The accessory gearbox of claim 21 wherein said driving means operates at a first speed and said tower shaft operates at a second speed that is different than the first speed.

34. The frame of claim 21 wherein said frame is a mid compressor frame.