IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,127,567
Granted Patent B2
US 9,127,567 · App. 13/538,024 · Granted Sep 8, 2015

Non-interrupted turbomachine fluid supply

Inventor: David L. Motto (Ellington, CT)
Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
F01D25/18F01M11/067
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,127,567
App. No.
13/538,024
Granted
Sep 8, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An exemplary fluid supply system for use on a turbomachine includes a turbomachine fluid container having a moveable barrier. A pressurized fluid is delivered to one side of the moveable barrier, and an opposing side of the flexible barrier communicates with a source of lubricant. Pressurized fluid is selectively delivered to the one side to move the moveable barrier between a flow-permitting position that permits flow from the source of lubricant to the turbomachine fluid container and a flow-restricting position that restricts flow from the source of lubricant to the turbomachine fluid container.

Claims (26)

1. A fluid supply system for use on a turbomachine, comprising:

a turbomachine fluid container having a moveable barrier, with a pressurized fluid delivered to one side of the moveable barrier, and an opposing side of the moveable barrier communicating with a source of lubricant,

wherein pressurized fluid is selectively delivered to the one side to move the moveable barrier between a flow-permitting position that permits flow from the source of lubricant to the turbomachine fluid container and a flow-restricting position that restricts flow from the source of lubricant to the turbomachine fluid container.

2. The fluid supply system of claim 1 , wherein the moveable barrier comprises a flexible barrier.

3. The fluid supply system of claim 1 , wherein the moveable barrier comprises a piston.

4. The fluid supply system of claim 1 , including a spring configured to move the moveable barrier from the flow-restricting position to the flow-permitting position.

5. The fluid supply system of claim 1 , wherein the moveable barrier is a bag-like member.

6. The fluid supply system of claim 1 , including a solenoid valve configured to selectively deliver the pressurized fluid to the one side in response to a transition of a turbomachine from a positive g-force environment to a negative g-force environment.

7. The fluid supply system of claim 1 , wherein the pressurized fluid is selectively delivered to the one side to move a vent of the turbomachine fluid container between a vent-permitted position that permits venting from the turbomachine fluid container and a vent-restricted position that restricts venting from the turbomachine fluid container.

8. The fluid supply system of claim 1 , wherein the pressurized fluid is selectively delivered to a valve to move a vent of the turbomachine fluid container between a vent-permitted position that permits venting from the turbomachine fluid container and a vent-restricted position that restricts venting from the turbomachine fluid container.

9. A geared architecture and oil supply system for a turbomachine comprising:

a geared architecture;

a holding container having a flexible barrier, with a connection to a source of pressurized fluid to be delivered to one side of the flexible barrier, and an opposing side of the flexible barrier communicating with a source of oil, for delivering oil downstream to a pump; and

wherein pressurized fluid is selectively delivered to the one side to move the moveable barrier between a flow-permitting position that permits flow from the source of oil to the holding container and a flow-restricting position that restricts flow from the source of oil to the holding container.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the source of oil is the geared architecture.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the pressurized fluid is communicated from a compressor system of a turbomachine.

12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the pump delivers the oil to the geared architecture.

13. The system of claim 9 , including a solenoid valve configured to selectively deliver the pressurized fluid to the one side in response to a change of a turbomachine from a positive g-force environment to a negative g-force environment.

14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the pressurized fluid is selectively delivered to the one side to move the moveable barrier between a vent-permitted position that permits venting from the turbomachine fluid container and a vent-restricted position that restricts venting from the turbomachine fluid container.

15. The system of claim 9 , wherein the pressurized fluid is selectively delivered to a valve to move a vent between a vent-permitting position that permits venting from the turbomachine fluid container and a vent-restricting position that restricts venting form the turbomachine fluid container.

16. A method of maintaining positive suction head on a turbomachine fluid in positive g-force environments and negative g-force environments, comprising:

selectively introducing a compressed fluid to a holding container to move a flexible barrier against an oil within the holding container, and to cover an inlet that introduces oil to the holding container; and

pumping oil from the holding container.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the compressed fluid is compressed by a compression section of a turbomachine.

18. The method of claim 16 , including delivering the oil to a geared architecture of a turbomachine.

19. The method of claim 18 , including introducing oil to the holding container from a geared architecture of a turbomachine.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 27, 2023
From: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RTX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 064714/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE AND REMOVE PATENT APPLICATION NUMBER 11886281 AND ADD PATENT APPLICATION NUMBER 14846874. TO CORRECT THE RECEIVING PARTY ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 054062 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF ADDRESS. Recorded Mar 4, 2021
From: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 055659/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 4, 2020
From: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 054062/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 29, 2012
From: MOTTO, DAVID L.
To: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028471/0046 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140003906A1 · Jan 2, 2014