# US 10,309,306 B2 · Torque connector lubrication scuppers

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- Number: US 10,309,306 B2
- Document ID: US10309306B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/510,644
- Filed: 2014-10-09
- Published: 2015-02-26
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2013-08-26
- Assignees: United Technologies Corporation
- Applicants: United Technologies Corporation
- Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309306B2

## CPC

- F02C 7/06: Arrangements of bearings (bearings F16C); Lubricating ({of turbo machines F01D25/18; of machines or} engines in general F01M)
- F02C 3/04: having a turbine driving a compressor (power transmission arrangements F02C7/36; control of working fluid flow F02C9/16)
- F02C 7/36: Power transmission arrangements between the different shafts of the gas turbine plant, or between the gas-turbine plant and the power user ({F02C3/107 - F02C3/13 and} F02C7/32 take precedence; couplings for transmitting rotation F16D; gearing in general F16H)
- F05D 2260/40311: of the epicyclical, planetary or differential type
- F05D 2260/609: Deoiling or demisting
- F05D 2260/98: Lubrication
- F02C: GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (construction of turbines F01D; jet-propulsion plants F02K; construction of compressors or fans F04; generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R; using gas turbines in compression refrigeration plants F25B11/00)
- F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS

## Abstract

A turbofan engine includes a fan rotatable about an axis, a compressor section, a combustor in fluid communication with the compressor section, a turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor, a fan drive gear system including a carrier for supporting a plurality of gears, and a scupper capturing lubricant during gear operation and directing lubricant into the carrier. A fan drive gear system is also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A turbofan engine comprising:
a fan rotatable about an axis;
a compressor section;
a combustor in fluid communication with the compressor section;
a turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor;
a fan drive gear system including a carrier for supporting a plurality of gears;
a plurality of connectors securing the carrier to another structure; and
a scupper capturing lubricant during gear operation and directing lubricant into a space between the carrier and at least one of the plurality of connectors.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The turbofan engine as recited in claim 1, wherein the fan drive gear system includes a sun gear driving a plurality of intermediate gears supported by the carrier and a ring gear circumscribing the plurality of intermediate gears, wherein the ring gear is fixed relative to rotation of the carrier about an axis of rotation.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The turbofan engine as recited in claim 1, wherein the scupper is a portion of the carrier.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The turbofan engine as recited in claim 1, wherein the scupper comprises a scoop that directs the lubricant into the carrier.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The turbofan engine as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of connectors comprise a plurality of pins.

### Claim 6

A fan drive gear system comprising:
a carrier configured to support a plurality of gears;
a plurality of connectors securing the carrier to another structure; and
a scupper for capturing lubricant during gear operation and directing the lubricant into a space defined between the carrier and at least one of the plurality of connectors.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The fan drive gear system as recited in claim 6, wherein the scupper is a portion of the carrier.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The fan drive gear system as recited in claim 6, including a sun gear driving a plurality of intermediate gears supported by the carrier and a ring gear circumscribing the plurality of intermediate gears, wherein the ring gear is fixed relative to rotation of the carrier about an axis of rotation.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The fan drive gear system as recited in claim 6, wherein the carrier is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation and generate centrifugal forces for driving exhaust lubricant through the scupper.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The fan drive gear system as recited in claim 6, wherein the plurality of connectors comprises a plurality of pins.