Electric motor driven auxiliary oil system for geared gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine includes a fan drive turbine, a fan rotor, and a gear reduction driven by the fan drive turbine and, in turn, to drive the fan rotor. A main oil supply system supplies oil to components within the gear reduction, and an auxiliary oil supply system. The auxiliary oil supply system includes a rotation sensor for sensing rotation of a component that will rotate with the fan rotor, a control, an auxiliary oil pump, and a main supply sensor for sensing operation of the main oil supply system. The control is programmed to supply oil from the auxiliary oil pump to the gear reduction when the rotation sensor senses the component is rotating. A determination is made that inadequate oil is being supplied from the main oil supply system based upon information from the main supply sensor.
1. A gas turbine engine comprising:
a fan drive turbine, a fan rotor, and a gear reduction driven by said fan drive turbine and, in turn, to drive said fan rotor, a main oil supply system for supplying oil to components within said gear reduction, and an auxiliary oil supply system; and
said auxiliary oil supply system including a rotation sensor for sensing rotation of a component that will rotate with said fan rotor, a control, an auxiliary oil pump with an electric motor drive, and a main supply sensor for sensing operation of said main oil supply system, said control being programmed to actuate said electric motor for said auxiliary oil pump such that it supplies oil to the gear reduction when the rotation sensor senses the component is rotating, and a determination is made that inadequate oil is being supplied from said main oil supply system based upon information from said main supply sensor;
said gear reduction is surrounded by an oil gutter to scavenge oil and direct it to an auxiliary oil tank;
said auxiliary oil tank has an overflow conduit that allows excess oil to fall to the bottom of said bearing compartment;
wherein said auxiliary oil tank is positioned at a vertically higher location relative to the auxiliary oil pump;
said auxiliary oil tank has a tube with holes, and the holes are positioned at a location such that oil may be drawn from said auxiliary oil tank when it is full or under negative gravity conditions, said tube connected through a first fluid connection to the auxiliary oil pump, and the overflow conduit being separate from the first fluid connection, said auxiliary oil pump also receiving oil from a sump through a second fluid connection;
wherein said auxiliary oil system is operable to supply lubricant for at least 30 seconds at high power operation of the associated engine should the main oil supply system fail;
wherein said auxiliary oil system being operable to allow the engine to operate under windmill conditions in the air for 90 minutes or longer;
wherein said auxiliary oil system being operable to operate indefinitely on the ground when windmilling with wind speeds below 85 mph; and
wherein said auxiliary oil system being operable to fly with the engine in an aircraft under negative gravity conditions for at least 20 seconds.
2. A gas turbine engine comprising:
a fan drive turbine, a fan rotor, and a gear reduction driven by said fan drive turbine and, in turn, to drive said fan rotor, a main oil supply system for supplying oil to components within said gear reduction, and an auxiliary oil supply system; and
said auxiliary oil supply system including a rotation sensor for sensing rotation of a component that will rotate with said fan rotor, a control, an auxiliary oil pump with an electric motor drive, and a main supply sensor for sensing operation of said main oil supply system, said control being programmed to actuate said electric motor for said auxiliary oil pump such that it supplies oil to the gear reduction when the rotation sensor senses the component is rotating, and a determination is made that inadequate oil is being supplied from said main oil supply system based upon information from said main supply sensor;
said gear reduction is surrounded by an oil gutter to scavenge oil and direct it to an auxiliary oil tank;
said auxiliary oil tank has an overflow conduit that allows excess oil to fall to the bottom of said bearing compartment;
wherein said auxiliary oil tank is positioned at a vertically higher location relative to the auxiliary oil pump; and
said auxiliary oil tank has a tube with holes, and the holes are positioned at a location such that oil may be drawn from said auxiliary oil tank when it is full or under negative gravity conditions, said tube connected through a first fluid connection to the auxiliary oil pump, and the overflow conduit being separate from the first fluid connection, said auxiliary oil pump also receiving oil from a sump through a second fluid connection.