US 2022/0178310 A1 · GEARBOX FOR A GAS TURBINE ENGINE UTILIZING SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY DAMPERS

Abstract

An epicyclic gearbox is configured to transfer rotational motion between a first rotating component and a second rotating component of the gas turbine engine. The gearbox includes a centrally located sun gear, two or more planet gears circumscribing the sun gear, and a ring gear circumscribing the plurality of planet gears. The gearbox is configured such that the sun gear is drivingly coupled to the first rotating component, such that rotation of the sun gear causes rotation of each planet gear, and such that the ring gear rotates relative to the plurality of planet gears. The gearbox includes one or more shape memory alloy dampers provided in association with the sun gear, the ring gear, and/or the plurality of planet gears. The shape memory alloy damper(s) is configured in order to reduce vibrations transferred through the epicyclic gearbox to the frame, the first rotating component, and/or the second rotating component.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An epicyclic gearbox configured to be supported by a frame of a gas turbine engine and configured to transfer rotational motion between a first rotating component of the gas turbine engine and a second rotating component of the gas turbine engine, the gearbox comprising:

a centrally located sun gear including a plurality of teeth, the sun gear configured to be drivingly coupled to the first rotating component of the gas turbine engine;
a plurality of planet gears circumscribing the sun gear, each of the planet gears including a plurality of teeth configured to mesh with the teeth of the sun gear such that rotation of the sun gear causes rotation of each planet gear of the plurality of planet gears;
a ring gear circumscribing the plurality of planet gears, the ring gear including a plurality of teeth configured to mesh with the teeth of each of the planet gears such that the ring gear rotates relative to the plurality of planet gears;
and
at least one shape memory alloy damper provided in association with at least one of the sun gear, the ring gear, or the plurality of planet gears and configured in order to reduce vibrations transferred through the epicyclic gearbox to at least one of the frame of the gas turbine engine, the first rotating component, or the second rotating component.

2 more elements

A gas turbine engine defining an axial direction, the gas turbine engine comprising:

a frame;
a turbine section comprising a turbine;
a fan assembly comprising a fan;
and
an epicyclic gearbox supported by the frame and drivingly coupling the turbine of the turbine section to the fan of the fan assembly, the epicyclic gearbox comprising:
a centrally located sun gear including a plurality of teeth, the sun gear drivingly coupled to the turbine of the turbine section;
a plurality of planet gears circumscribing the sun gear, each of the planet gears including a plurality of teeth configured to mesh with the teeth of the sun gear such that rotation of the sun gear causes rotation of each planet gear of the plurality of planet gears;
a ring gear circumscribing the plurality of planet gears, the ring gear including a plurality of teeth configured to mesh with the teeth of each of the planet gears such that the ring gear rotates relative to the plurality of planet gears;
and
at least one shape memory alloy damper provided in association with at least one of the sun gear, the ring gear, or the plurality of planet gears such that vibrations transferred through the epicyclic gearbox to at least one of the frame, the turbine, or the fan of the gas turbine engine are reduced.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Gearbox for a gas turbine engine utilizing shape memory alloy dampers

Life of this patent

Gearbox for a gas turbine engine utilizing shape memory alloy dampers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20