Patent · US Active

Epicyclic gear train

US9976437B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
40References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 12, 2015
Grant dateMay 22, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 21, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T50/60
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A turbine engine has a fan shaft. At least one tapered bearing is mounted on the fan shaft. The fan shaft includes at least one passage extending in a direction having at least a radial component, and adjacent the at least one tapered bearing. A fan is mounted for rotation on the tapered bearing. An epicyclic gear train is coupled to drive the fan. The epicyclic gear train includes a carrier supporting intermediate gears that mesh with a sun gear. A ring gear surrounds and meshes with the intermediate gears. Each of the intermediate gears are supported on a respective journal bearing. The epicyclic gear train defines a gear reduction ratio of greater than or equal to about 2.3. A turbine section is coupled to drive the fan through the epicyclic gear train. The turbine section has a fan drive turbine that includes a pressure ratio that is greater than about 5. The fan includes a pressure ratio that is less than about 1.45, and the fan has a bypass ratio of greater than about ten (10).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.