Fan with labyrinth seal for prevention of water damage to a gearbox
The present invention includes a system, method and kit for preventing or reducing water penetration of a gearbox, the system including: a fan or impeller coupled to the gearbox; and a hub coupled to the fan and shaped to provide a labyrinth seal that prevents or reduces water penetration into the gearbox.
1. A system for preventing or reducing water penetration of a tail rotor gearbox, the system comprising:
a fan or impeller coupled to, and above, the tail rotor gearbox; and
a hub coupled to the fan and shaped to provide a labyrinth seal that prevents or reduces water penetration into the tail rotor gearbox, wherein the hub extends to a position below a top of an oil seal and the hub prevents water penetration of the tail rotor gearbox.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more cooling fins, wherein the one or more cooling fins are metal, composite, ceramic, polymer, or combinations thereof.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tail rotor gearbox is a pressurized tail rotor gearbox or a non-pressurized tail rotor gearbox.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the tail rotor gearbox is a pressurized tail rotor gearbox using a pressurized lubricant.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the pressurized lubricant is a petroleum lubricant, a mineral oil, a plant oil, a synthetic lubricant, a high temperature lubricant, or combinations thereof.
6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the tail rotor gearbox further comprises at least one of: a filter, a pump, a bearing, or one or more valves for the pressurized lubricant.
7. The system of claim 4 , further comprising an active cooling system for the pressurized lubricant.
8. The system of claim 4 , wherein the tail rotor gearbox is at least partially lubricated by the pressurized lubricant.
9. A system for preventing or reducing water penetration of a tail rotor gearbox of an aircraft, the system comprising:
a tail rotor gearbox; and
a fan assembly comprising a fan and a hub, the fan assembly positioned above the tail rotor gearbox, wherein the hub is coupled to the fan and creates a labyrinth seal that prevents or reduces water penetration into the tail rotor gearbox, wherein the hub extends to a position below a top of an oil seal and prevents water penetration of the tail rotor gearbox.
10. The system of claim 9 , further comprising one or more cooling fins, wherein the one or more cooling fins are metal, composite, ceramic, polymer, or combinations thereof.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein a length and a width of each the one or more cooling fins are modified to optimize an amount of heat convected by the cooling fins.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the tail rotor gearbox is a pressurized tail rotor gearbox using a pressurized lubricant.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the pressurized lubricant is a petroleum lubricant, a mineral oil, a plant oil, a synthetic lubricant, a high temperature lubricant, or combinations thereof.
14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the tail rotor gearbox further comprises at least one of: a filter, a pump, a bearing, or one or more valves for the pressurized lubricant.
15. The system of claim 12 , further comprising an active cooling system for the lubricant.
16. A method for preventing or reducing water penetration of a tail rotor gearbox, the method comprising:
disposing a fan assembly comprising a fan and a hub positioned above the tail rotor gearbox, wherein the hub creates a labyrinthine path that prevents or reduces water penetration into the tail rotor gearbox, wherein the hub extends to a position below a top of an oil seal to prevent water penetration of the tail rotor gearbox.
17. A kit for preventing or reducing water penetration of a tail rotor gearbox, the kit comprising:
a fan assembly comprising a fan and a hub positioned above the tail rotor gearbox, wherein the hub creates a labyrinthine path that prevents or reduces water penetration into the tail rotor gearbox; and
instructions for placing the fan assembly proximate to the tail rotor gearbox to prevent or reduce water penetration of the tail rotor gearbox, wherein the hub extends to a position below a top of an oil seal and prevents water penetration of the tail rotor gearbox.
18. The kit of claim 17 , further comprising one or more cooling fins, wherein the one or more cooling fins are metal, composite, ceramic, polymer, or combinations thereof.
19. The kit of claim 18 , wherein a length and a width of each the one or more cooling fins are modified to optimize an amount of heat convected by the cooling fins.
20. The kit of claim 17 , wherein the tail rotor gearbox is a pressurized tail rotor gearbox or a non-pressurized tail rotor gearbox.
21. The kit of claim 20 , wherein the tail rotor gearbox is a pressurized tail rotor gearbox using a pressurized lubricant.
22. The kit of claim 21 , wherein the pressurized lubricant is a petroleum lubricant, a mineral oil, a plant oil, a synthetic lubricant, a high temperature lubricant, or combinations thereof.
23. The kit of claim 21 , wherein the tail rotor gearbox further comprises at least one of: a filter, a pump, a bearing, or one or more valves for the pressurized lubricant.
24. The kit of claim 21 , further comprising an active cooling system for the pressurized lubricant.
25. The kit of claim 21 , wherein the tail rotor gearbox is at least partially lubricated by the pressurized lubricant.
26. The method of claim 16 , further comprising one or more cooling fins, wherein the one or more cooling fins are metal, composite, ceramic, polymer, or combinations thereof.
27. The method of claim 26 , wherein a length and a width of each the one or more cooling fins are modified to optimize an amount of heat convected by the cooling fins.
28. The method of claim 16 , wherein the tail rotor gearbox is a pressurized tail rotor gearbox or a non-pressurized tail rotor gearbox.
29. The method of claim 28 , wherein the tail rotor gearbox is a pressurized tail rotor gearbox using a pressurized lubricant.
30. The method of claim 29 , wherein the pressurized lubricant is a petroleum lubricant, a mineral oil, a plant oil, a synthetic lubricant, a high temperature lubricant, or combinations thereof.
31. The method of claim 29 , wherein the tail rotor gearbox further comprises at least one of: a filter, a pump, a bearing, or one or more valves for the pressurized lubricant.
32. The method of claim 29 , further comprising an active cooling system for the pressurized lubricant.
33. The method of claim 29 , wherein the tail rotor gearbox is at least partially lubricated by the pressurized lubricant.
34. The system of claim 2 , wherein a length and a width of each the one or more cooling fins are modified to optimize an amount of heat convected by the cooling fins.
35. The system of claim 9 , wherein the tail rotor gearbox is a pressurized tail rotor gearbox or a non-pressurized tail rotor gearbox.
36. The system of claim 12 , wherein the tail rotor gearbox is at least partially lubricated by the pressurized lubricant.