US3722212A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas turbine engine lubrication system
Assignee: Avco Corp
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Filing: 1971-03-04
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1991-03-04
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure illustrates a gas turbine engine lubrication system comprising a pump that pressurizes oil and delivers it through a heat exchanger to the engine bearings located in a hot region of the engine. From there the lubricating fluid is deaerated and repressurized without passing it through a heat exchanger for delivery to the bearing assemblies located in the cooler region of the engine. This lowers the heat rejection of the engine and minimizes the heat exchanger requirements.
Inventors
- 👤 W Stein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:31
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02C; F02C7/00; F02C7/12; F02C7/14; F01; F01D; F01D25/00; F01D25/18; F02C7/22; F02C7/224
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
In a gas turbine engine comprising a compressor for pressurizing relatively cool inlet air, a combustor wherein a hot gas stream is generated and a turbine which rotates in response to passage of the has gas stream thereacross, said engine having an outer casing having a rotor journaled therein for rotation by at least two bearing assemblies, the first of which is in the cool region adjacent the compressor inlet and the second of which is located adjacent the hot gas region, a lubrication system comprising: meanS for supplying a source of cooled pressurized lubricating fluid to the bearing assembly adjacent said hot gas region; means for receiving the lubricant from said second bearing assembly and repressurizing it for delivery to the first bearing assembly located in said cool region; whereby the heat rejected by said engine is minimized.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
In a gas turbine engine comprising a compressor for pressurizing relatively cool inlet air, a combustor wherein a hot gas stream is generated and a turbine which rotates in response to passage of the has gas stream thereacross, said engine having an outer casing having a rotor journaled therein for rotation by at least two bearing assemblies, the first of which is in the cool region adjacent the compressor inlet and the second of which is located adjacent the hot gas region, a lubrication system comprising: meanS for supplying a source of cooled pressurized lubricating fluid to the bearing assembly adjacent said hot gas region; means for receiving the lubricant from said second bearing assembly and repressurizing it for delivery to the first bearing assembly located in said cool region; whereby the heat rejected by said engine is minimized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising means receiving the lubricant from said second bearing assembly for de-aeration and delivery to said repressurizing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said first bearing assembly is supported by a plurality of radial struts extending across the inlet air path of said engine to said casing and wherein said lubrication system further comprises conduit means extending from said repressurizing means through at least one of said struts whereby the lubricant is cooled by the inlet air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: said second bearing assembly pressurizing means comprises a first conduit extending from a lubricant supply to the second bearing assembly and a pump interposed in said first conduit; said repressurizing means comprises a second conduit extending from said second bearing assembly to said first bearing assembly and a second pump interposed in said second conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said second bearing assembly pressurizing means includes a heat exchanger interposed in said first conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said lubrication system further comprises means interposed in said conduit means between the repressurizing pump and said second bearing assembly for de-aerating the oil from said second bearing assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said lubrication system further comprises: a lubricant storage tank; a return conduit extending from said first bearing assembly to said storage tank; a scavenge pump interposed in said return conduit for positively feeding lubricant to said storage tank; and means interposed in said return conduit between said scavenge pump and said first bearing assembly for de-aerating the lubricating fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said first bearing assembly is supported by a plurality of radial struts extending across the air inlet path of said engine to said casing and said engine has a fuel control system supplying a source of fuel to said combustor and wherein: said heat exchanger comprises an element adapted to receive the lubricant fluid and the fuel from said fuel control system whereby the lubricant is cooled; the conduit extending from said second bearing assembly to said first bearing assembly extends through at least one of said forward struts, whereby the oil is cooled by the air entering said engine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |