18337519. AIRCRAFT HEAT MANAGEMENT simplified abstract (ROLLS-ROYCE plc)
Contents
AIRCRAFT HEAT MANAGEMENT
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Craig W. Bemment of Derby (GB)
Benjamin J. Keeler of Chesterfield (GB)
Christopher P. Madden of Derby (GB)
AIRCRAFT HEAT MANAGEMENT - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18337519 titled 'AIRCRAFT HEAT MANAGEMENT
The abstract describes a method of operating a gas turbine engine with a recirculating lubrication system that controls oil temperature by transferring heat to the fuel.
- The method involves transferring heat to the fuel from the oil to control oil temperature during cruise conditions.
- The engine includes an engine core, turbine, compressor, combustor, core shaft, fan, fan shaft, and main gearbox.
- The main gearbox receives input from the core shaft and drives the fan via the fan shaft.
- The recirculating lubrication system supplies oil to lubricate gears and journal bearings, with separate oil tanks for the gears and journal bearings.
Potential Applications: - This technology can be applied in gas turbine engines used in aircraft, power generation, and other industrial applications. - It can improve engine efficiency and performance by controlling oil temperature effectively.
Problems Solved: - Helps prevent overheating of oil in gas turbine engines. - Ensures proper lubrication of gears and journal bearings for smooth operation.
Benefits: - Enhanced engine reliability and longevity. - Improved fuel efficiency and overall performance. - Reduced maintenance costs and downtime.
Commercial Applications: - This technology can be utilized by aircraft manufacturers, power generation companies, and industrial machinery manufacturers to enhance the performance and reliability of gas turbine engines.
Questions about the technology: 1. How does controlling oil temperature impact the overall efficiency of a gas turbine engine?
- Controlling oil temperature helps optimize engine performance and prevent overheating, leading to improved efficiency.
2. What are the potential cost savings associated with using this method of oil temperature control in gas turbine engines?
- By preventing overheating and ensuring proper lubrication, this method can reduce maintenance costs and downtime, resulting in significant cost savings for operators.
Original Abstract Submitted
A method of operating a gas turbine engine including an engine core and turbine, a compressor, a combustor arranged to combust a fuel, and a core shaft connecting the turbine to the compressor; a fan located upstream of the engine core; a fan shaft; a main gearbox that receives an input from the core shaft and outputs drive to the fan via the fan shaft, the main gearbox including gears and journal bearings; a recirculating lubrication system arranged to supply oil to lubricate the gears and journal bearings, the lubrication system including a first oil tank arranged to supply oil to the gears and journal bearings and a second oil tank arranged to supply oil to the journal bearings only. The method includes, at cruise conditions: transferring 200-600 KJ/mof heat to the fuel from the oil through the heat exchange system so as to control the oil temperature.
