Method for the delivery of lubricant to a rotorcraft gearbox
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A rotorcraft, comprising:
- a body;
a rotor blade;
a power train coupled to the body and operable to rotate the rotor blade, the power train comprising;
an engine;
a gearbox in mechanical communication with the engine; and
a driveshaft in mechanical communication with the gearbox;
a sensor operable to detect a rotorcraft parameter;
a main lubrication system configured to deliver lubricant to the gearbox, the main lubrication system comprising a main lubrication reservoir and a main pressurizing device;
a secondary lubrication system configured to deliver lubricant to the gearbox, the secondary lubrication system comprising a secondary lubrication reservoir and a secondary pressurizing device; and
a lubrication flow calculation unit operable to;
receive the rotorcraft parameter;
generate a flow rate based on the rotorcraft parameter, wherein the flow rate increases the amount of time that the rotorcraft can operate when the gearbox experiences a reduction in lubricant pressure; and
transmit the flow rate to the secondary lubrication system;
wherein one of the primary and secondary lubrication systems delivers lubricant to the gearbox at the generated flow rate.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A rotorcraft includes a body, a rotor blade, and a power train coupled to the body and operable to rotate the rotor blade. The power train includes an engine, a gearbox in mechanical communication with the engine, and a driveshaft in mechanical communication with the gearbox. The rotorcraft also includes a sensor operable to detect a rotorcraft parameter, and a lubrication flow calculation unit operable to receive the rotorcraft parameter, generate the flow rate based on the rotorcraft parameter, and transmit the flow rate to a lubrication system configured to deliver lubricant to the gearbox at the transmitted flow rate.
26 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A rotorcraft, comprising:
-
a body; a rotor blade; a power train coupled to the body and operable to rotate the rotor blade, the power train comprising; an engine; a gearbox in mechanical communication with the engine; and a driveshaft in mechanical communication with the gearbox; a sensor operable to detect a rotorcraft parameter; a main lubrication system configured to deliver lubricant to the gearbox, the main lubrication system comprising a main lubrication reservoir and a main pressurizing device; a secondary lubrication system configured to deliver lubricant to the gearbox, the secondary lubrication system comprising a secondary lubrication reservoir and a secondary pressurizing device; and a lubrication flow calculation unit operable to; receive the rotorcraft parameter; generate a flow rate based on the rotorcraft parameter, wherein the flow rate increases the amount of time that the rotorcraft can operate when the gearbox experiences a reduction in lubricant pressure; and transmit the flow rate to the secondary lubrication system; wherein one of the primary and secondary lubrication systems delivers lubricant to the gearbox at the generated flow rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method comprising:
-
providing a body; providing a rotor blade; providing a power train coupled to the body and operable to rotate the rotor blade, the power train comprising; an engine; a gearbox in mechanical communication with the engine; and a driveshaft in mechanical communication with the gearbox; providing a sensor operable to detect a rotorcraft parameter; providing a main lubrication system configured to deliver lubricant to the gearbox, the main lubrication system comprising a main lubrication reservoir and a main pressurizing device; providing a secondary lubrication system configured to deliver lubricant to the gearbox, the secondary lubrication system comprising a secondary lubrication reservoir and a secondary pressurizing device; receiving the rotorcraft parameter from the sensor; generating a flow rate based on the rotorcraft parameter, wherein the flow rate increases the amount of time that the rotorcraft can operate when the gearbox experiences a reduction in lubricant pressure; and instructing one of the primary and secondary lubrication systems to deliver lubricant to the gearbox at the generated flow rate. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification