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.
24 Citations
19 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, 7)
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8. 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; a drive shaft for the gas turbine engine, wherein both the scavenge pump and the pressure pump are driven by the drive shaft; and an opening in the compartment, wherein displacement of the scavenge pump is selected to be at least temporarily greater than displacement of the pressure pump to draw air through the opening in the compartment to create an air curtain at the opening. - View Dependent Claims (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; and an opening in the compartment, wherein the pumping rate of the scavenge pump negatively pressurizes the compartment to draw air through the opening in the compartment to create an air curtain at the opening. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification