US 9,068,629 B2 · Fan drive planetary gear system integrated carrier and torque frame

Abstract

A fan gear drive system includes a fan shaft, a turbine shaft, a fixed structure, and a gear train which includes a torque frame that comprises a base with integrated gear shafts that are circumferentially spaced relative to one another. Each shaft provides a shaft axis. Intermediate gears are supported on each bearing assembly for rotation about the bearing axis. A central gear is located radially inward from and intermeshes with the intermediate gears. A ring gear is arranged about and intermeshes with the intermediate gears. One of the torque frame, central gear and ring gear is connected to the fan shaft. Another of the torque frame, central gear and ring gear is connected to the turbine shaft. The remaining of the torque frame, central gear and ring gear is connected to the fixed structure. A bearing assembly is mounted on each of the gear shafts and provides a bearing axis. Each bearing assembly supports the respective intermediate gear.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A fan gear drive system comprising:

a fan shaft;
a turbine shaft;
a fixed structure;
and
a gear train including:
a torque frame comprising a base with integrated gear shafts circumferentially spaced relative to one another, and each gear shaft providing a gear shaft axis,
a central gear located radially inward from and intermeshing with intermediate gears, each intermediate gear mounted on a respective gear shaft and configured to rotate about its respective gear shaft axis,
a ring gear arranged about and intermeshing with the intermediate gears, and
wherein one of the torque frame, central gear and ring gear is connected to the fan shaft, another of the torque frame, central gear and ring gear is connected to the turbine shaft, and a remaining of the torque frame, central gear and ring gear is connected to the fixed structure;
and
a bearing assembly is mounted on each of the gear shafts and provides a bearing axis, each bearing assembly supports one of the respective intermediate gears.

8 more elements

A method of designing a fan gear drive system comprising:

defining a fan shaft;
defining a turbine shaft;
defining a fixed structure;
and
defining a gear train configured to include:
a torque frame comprising a base with integrated gear shafts configured to be circumferentially spaced relative to one another, and each gear shaft configured to provide a gear shaft axis,
a central gear configured to be located radially inward from and intermeshing with intermediate gears, each intermediate gear mounted on a respective gear shaft and configured to rotate about its respective gear shaft axis,
a ring gear configured to be arranged about and intermeshing with the intermediate gears, and
wherein one of the torque frame, central gear and ring gear is configured to be connected to the fan shaft, another of the torque frame, central gear and ring gear is configured to be connected to the turbine shaft, and a remaining of the torque frame, central gear and ring gear is configured to be connected to the fixed structure;
and
a bearing assembly is configured to be mounted on each of the gear shafts and provide a bearing axis, each bearing assembly configured to support one of the respective intermediate gears.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fan drive planetary gear system integrated carrier and torque frame

Life of this patent

Fan drive planetary gear system integrated carrier and torque frame

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28