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US 2025/0043802 A1Published application
Engine trim balance system
AssigneeRtx Corporation
InventorEnzo DiBenedetto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A balancing system includes a rotor hub having a center axis and a balancing ring surrounding the rotor hub. The balancing ring includes a plurality of ring teeth. A pinion gear includes a plurality of gear teeth in meshing engagement with the plurality of ring teeth, wherein the pinion gear is selectively rotated to adjust a position of the balancing ring relative to the rotor hub.
Claims23
A balancing system comprising:
- a rotor hub having a center axis;
- a balancing ring surrounding the rotor hub, the balancing ring including a plurality of ring teeth, wherein the balancing ring has a first portion defining a first weight characteristic, a second portion defining a second weight characteristic that is greater than the first weight characteristic, and an inner peripheral surface, and wherein the first portion comprises a section of the balancing ring where a portion of the inner peripheral surface is spaced from an outer peripheral surface of the rotor hub by a gap, and wherein the second portion comprises a section of the balancing ring that does not include the gap;
- and
- a pinion gear including a plurality of gear teeth in meshing engagement with the plurality of ring teeth, wherein the pinion gear is selectively rotated to adjust a position of the balancing ring relative to the rotor hub.
1 more element
2-3. (canceled)
A balancing system comprising:
- a rotor hub having a center axis;
- a balancing ring surrounding the rotor hub, the balancing ring including a plurality of ring teeth;
- and
- a pinion gear including a plurality of gear teeth in meshing engagement with the plurality of ring teeth, wherein the pinion gear is selectively rotated to adjust a position of the balancing ring relative to the rotor hub, wherein the rotor hub comprises a compressor rotor hub and includes a shelf having an outer surface that extends to a shelf edge, and including a cover that extends to a cover edge that is generally flush with the shelf edge, and wherein the pinion gear does not extend radially outward of the shelf or cover.
1 more element
A gas turbine engine comprising:
- a compressor section, a combustor, and a turbine section;
- the compressor section having at least one compressor rotor comprising a hub supporting at least one row of blades for rotation about an engine center axis;
- a balancing ring surrounding the hub, the balancing ring including a plurality of ring teeth;
- and
- a pinion gear including a plurality of gear teeth in meshing engagement with the plurality of ring teeth, wherein the pinion gear is selectively rotated to adjust a position of the balancing ring relative to the hub, wherein the pinion gear is selectively moveable between a locked position where the balancing ring is prevented from rotating and an unlocked position where the balancing ring can rotate relative to the hub, and wherein the pinion gear is resiliently biased to the locked position.
2 more elements
(canceled)
A method comprising:
- installing a balancing ring to surround a rotor hub that rotates about a center axis;
- engaging gear teeth of a pinion gear with ring teeth on the balancing ring;
- and
- selectively rotating the pinion gear to adjust a position of the balancing ring relative to the rotor hub, wherein rotating the balancing ring includes offsetting a center of the balancing ring from the center axis.
1 more element
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.