EP3274609A1

EP3274609A1 - Speed reducer comprising two intermediate transmission lines

Info

Publication number: EP3274609A1
Application number: EP16719445.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Guillaume BECK; Benjamin FERAUD
Original assignee: Safran Transmission Systems SAS
Current assignee: Safran Transmission Systems SAS
Priority date: 2015-03-27
Filing date: 2016-03-25
Publication date: 2018-01-31
Also published as: FR3034158A1; US20180100562A1; RU2017133005A3; JP2018515723A; FR3034158B1; CA2980430A1; WO2016156725A1; CN107406147A; RU2720600C2; RU2017133005A

Abstract

The invention relates to a speed reducer comprising two intermediate transmission lines (4,5), in particular for a turbomachine, comprising an input line (2) and an output line (3) driven by the input line by means of said intermediate lines, said intermediate lines being substantially parallel to an axis of rotation (B) of the input line (2), said reducer further comprising means for distributing loads between the intermediate lines (4, 5), characterised in that said distributing means comprise a pinion (7) rigidly attached to a shaft (6) of the input line, the input line being movable in translation along said axis (B) and comprising two external helical toothed rings (7a, 7b), the helices of which are orientated in opposite directions, each engaging respectively with a pinion (12, 13) of an intermediate line (4, 5). The invention also relates to a turbomachine comprising such a speed reducer and a method for distributing loads in such a reducer.

Description

Speed reducer with two intermediate transmission lines

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a speed reducer with two intermediate transmission lines, in particular for a turbomachine.

STATE OF THE ART

A turbomachine may comprise one or more mechanical speed reducers. This is particularly the case of a turboprop whose propeller is rotated by a turbine shaft via a speed reducer.

There are several types of gearboxes such as planetary, chain, worm gear, intermediate transmission gearboxes, etc. The present invention essentially relates to a reducer with intermediate lines of transmission (also called compound reducer or "compound").

In the present art, such a speed reducer comprises an input line and an output line driven by the input line through two intermediate transmission lines. The power transmitted by the input line is separated between the intermediate lines before being transferred to the output line. The intermediate transmission lines are parallel and generally comprise each a shaft carrying an input gear engrained with the input line and an output gear engrained with the output line. By varying the number of teeth of the different gears, it is possible to obtain a reduction ratio between the input line and the output line. This architecture allows a significant speed reduction in a confined space and with a controlled mass.

By definition, a reducer of this type is a hyperstatic system. Without any particular arrangement, it is possible that an intermediate line passes the majority of the engine power, while the other intermediate line hardly passes power.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes in particular to add to a reducer of this type charge distribution means to approach an equitable distribution of power between the two intermediate lines. In particular, the invention is realized by a speed reducer with two intermediate transmission lines, in particular for a turbomachine, comprising an input line and an output line driven by the input line via said lines. intermediate, these intermediate lines being substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the input line, said reducer further comprising means for distributing charges between the intermediate lines, characterized in that said distribution means comprise a pinion integral with a shaft of the input line, the input line being movable in translation along said axis and comprising two helical outer teeth crowns whose helices are oriented in opposite directions, respectively cooperating respectively with a pinion of an intermediate line; .

Indeed, in a known manner, the transmission of torques by helical gears generates axial forces, which are substantially proportional to the transmitted couples. The helices of the teeth of the two rings being oriented in opposite directions, the axial forces exerted on the input line by the intermediate lines are in opposite directions respectively. The resultant of these axial forces moves the input line to the pinion of the secondary line to which is transmitted the weakest torque. This displacement, in the opposite direction of the weakest effort, rebalances the games for the intermediate line concerned and rebalances the transmitted pairs. In this way, the axial displacement of the pinion at the same time as the input line automatically rebalances the couples transmitted to the intermediate lines.

According to different variants of the invention that can be taken together or separately:

said sprockets connected to the intermediate lines are fixed in translation parallel to the axis;

the two helical outer gear crowns have pitch angles of the helix substantially equal in absolute value;

the two helical external tooth crowns have the same diameter; the two crowns of helical external teeth are contiguous, so as to form chevrons;

the two helical external tooth crowns have substantially the same extension along the axis of rotation; The axial extension of the pinion allows the displacement of only one element so as to provide a simple, effective and stable solution

- The helix of each helical external gear ring is oriented so that, during the transmission of a torque, an axial force is exerted on the latter by the pinion connected to the corresponding intermediate line, towards the other crown of external helical gears.

The invention also relates to a turbomachine comprising at least one such speed reducer.

The invention also relates to a method for transmitting a torque, in particular in a turbomachine, by means of a speed reducer comprising an input line, two intermediate transmission lines, and an output line driven by the input line via said intermediate lines, the intermediate lines being substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the input line, the method of adjusting the axial position of the input line along said axis, in order to equalize the charges between the two intermediate lines. Preferably, the adjustment of the axial position of the input line is performed automatically by the gearbox, and results from a balancing of the couples transmitted by the input line to the intermediate lines, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be better understood and other details, characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description given by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a very schematic view of a speed reducer with two intermediate transmission lines, viewed from the side,

FIG. 2 is a very schematic view of a speed reducer with two intermediate transmission lines, viewed from the front, FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic partial and top views of a gearbox of the aforementioned type according to the invention, FIG. 3 showing a non-homogeneous distribution of the loads between the intermediate lines and FIG. 4 showing a homogeneous distribution of the loads. between the intermediate lines, and

- Figure 5 is a highly diagrammatic half-view in axial section of a ^line equipped input load distribution means according to the invention,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 very schematically represents a gear reducer 1 with two intermediate transmission lines, this gear unit 1 comprising essentially four parts: an input line 2, an output line 3 and two intermediate transmission lines 4 , Which are driven by the input line 2 and in turn drive the output line 3.

The various parts 2, 3, 4, 5 of the gearbox 1 are generally mounted in a housing of the gearbox which is not shown here, this casing having a first orifice for the passage of the input line 2 and its connection to a first element of a turbomachine for example, and a second orifice for the passage of the output line 3 and its connection to a second element of the turbomachine. The first element is for example a turbine shaft of the turbomachine and the second element is a drive shaft of a propeller of this turbomachine in the case where the latter is a turboprop.

The input line 2 comprises a shaft 6 carrying a pinion 7 with external teeth. The pinion 7 and the shaft 8 are coaxial and rotate about the same axis denoted B. In the example shown, they are driven in the direction of rotation Ω, counterclockwise, by the shaft of the turbomachine.

The output line 3 comprises a shaft 8 carrying a pinion 9 with external teeth.

The pinion 9 and the shaft 8 are coaxial and rotate about the same axis denoted A. They rotate here in the same direction of rotation Ù as the pinion 7 and the shaft 6 of the input line 2, but to a different speed.

The input and output lines 2, 3 are parallel. Their axes of rotation B, A are therefore parallel. The intermediate transmission lines 4, 5 are substantially parallel. Each line 4, 5 comprises a shaft 10, 1 1 which carries an input gear 12, 13 at one end and an output gear 14, 15 at a second end. The output gears 14, 15 are meshing with the pinion 9 of the output line 3. The input gears 12, 13 are meshing with the pinion 7 of the input line 2. The pinions 12, 13, 14, 15 are external teeth. Each shaft 10, 1 1 and its pinions 12, 13, 14, 15 are coaxial and rotate about the same axis denoted C, D parallel to the axes A and B. They rotate in a direction of rotation opposite to that Ω of the 6 of the input line 2. Here, their speeds of rotation are substantially the same, the pinions 13, 14 respectively having the same diameter ratios with helical external crowns 7a, 7b corresponding on the pinion 7.

As explained above, this type of gearbox 1 is a hyperstatic system and it is possible that an intermediate line, for example 10, passes the majority of the engine power, while the other intermediate line 1 1 practically passes. no power. This poor distribution of power or loads may be due to the games between the gears. For example, as seen in Figure 2, although the pinions 14, 15 are in contact at the points G, H with the pinion 9, and the pinion 12 of one of the intermediate lines 4 is in contact at the point E with the pinion 7, it is difficult to ensure the absence of play at F, between the pinion 7 and the pinion 13 of the other intermediate line 5.

The invention proposes a solution to this problem by equipping the gear unit 1 with means for distributing the charges between the intermediate lines 4, 5.

The general principle of the invention is represented in FIGS. 3 and 4. According to the invention, the pinion 7 comprises a first and a second ring 7a, 7b of helical external teeth, of axis of revolution of the axis B, each meshing respectively the pinions 12, 13 of the intermediate lines 10, 1 1, the latter being respectively left and right in the figures. In addition, the winding direction of the helices of the teeth of the two rings 7a, 7b are opposite.

Here, the two helical toothed crowns 7a, 7b are cylindrical, that is to say that the teeth are formed on a cylinder. In addition, the two tooth crowns 7a, 7b have the same diameter. In this way, it is not necessary to axial displacement of the gears of intermediate lines or intermediate lines to allow contact with the teeth of the gears of the intermediate lines.

The pinions 12, 13 of the intermediate lines 4, 5 also have helical external teeth, with a pitch and a direction of winding of the helix adapted to cooperate with the helical crown gear 7a, 7b corresponding.

In known manner, the operation of helical gears creates an axial force that varies substantially proportionally to the transmitted torque. In the example presented, with reference to FIG. 3, for the direction of rotation Ω of the shaft 6 corresponding to that indicated in FIG. 1, the transmission of a torque towards the left intermediate transmission line 4 creates a force axial f1, which is directed upwards and is applied at the contact E of the first ring 7a with the pinion 12, while the transmission of a torque towards the right intermediate transmission line 5 creates an axial force f2, which is directed downwards and is applied at the contact F of the second ring 7b with the pinion 13.

According to a second aspect of the invention, illustrated in Figure 4, the pinion 7 is here movable along the axis B of the input line 2, relative to the housing of the gearbox 1, not shown. The pinions 12, 13 of the intermediate lines 4, 5 are, in turn, fixed relative to said housing. In the example presented, the pinion 7 is integral with the shaft 6, bearings 16, 17 placed axially on either side of the pinion 7 maintain the axis 6 centered on the axis B of the input line while allowing him to move axially.

For example, with reference to Figure 5, the inner ring 18a, 18b of each bearing 16, 17 is integral with the shaft 6 while the outer ring 19a, 19b is fixed relative to the housing, not shown. By way of example, the outer ring 19a, 19b is smooth and the rolling elements, preferably rollers 20a, 20b, allow axial movements of the inner ring 18a, 18b by sliding axially in the outer ring 19a, 19b.

For the transmission of the torque to the input line 2 of the gearbox, the end of the shaft 6 comprises for example splines 21 engaged in splines 22 complementary to a sleeve 23 for connecting the input line 2 of the gearbox 1 to the shaft of the turbine, not shown. The flutes also allow the pinion 7 to be movable relative to the shaft of the turbine. This axial freedom can also be provided by an additional flexible element.

With reference to FIG. 3, if one of the intermediate lines, for example the left one 4, is more loaded, this means that the torque passing through this intermediate line 4 is greater than on the other intermediate line 5, therefore the force generated by the left intermediate line 4 on the pinion 7 of the input line 2 is greater than that f2 generated by the intermediate line of the right 5. This generates an axial resultant oriented upwards and applied to the pinion 7 of the input line 2, which causes an axial displacement of the input line 2 upwards, in the direction of the pinion 13 of the right, on which is exerted the lowest torque.

This displacement makes it possible to rebalance the games at the level of the input line. In the example presented, if the force f2 exerted by the pinion 13 of the intermediate line of line 5 is lower than that of the left intermediate line 4, the pinion 7 of the input line 2 will move towards the top and thus flatten the teeth of the second helical crown 7a against those of the right gear 13, allowing the pinion 7 to transmit a higher torque to the intermediate line of the right 5. With reference to Figure 4, at equilibrium , the forces f1 ', f'2 on the pinion 7 due to the pairs on the intermediate lines 4, 5 are canceled, which means that the couples transmitted to the intermediate lines 4, 5 are equal.

In the example presented, the rings 7a, 7b of the pinion 7 of the input line are spaced axially and their teeth have substantially the same axial extension. However, this example is not limiting. In particular, the two helical gear crowns can be contiguous and thus form a single herringbone toothing on the input gear 7. The gears 12, 13 of the intermediate lines 4, 5 can also be slightly offset with respect to the toothed crowns 7a. 7b and / or be narrower axially, so that the displacement of the inlet line 2 does not bring them into contact with the ring gear 7b, 7b cooperating with the pinion of the other intermediate line.

According to another advantage of the invention, as can be seen in FIG. 4, the points of application E, F of the axial forces f1, f2 are axially offset. They therefore create a torque along an axis perpendicular to the B axis of the input line 2. The forces generated by this torque are caught at the bearings 17, 18, which allows to load the bearings. This avoids sliding problems of the rolling elements 20a, 20b in the bearings 17, 18.

The exemplary mode of implementation presented is not limiting, in particular with regard to the geometric characteristics of the gears 7, 12, 13 participating in the process of distribution of loads or with regard to the torque ratios transmitted to each line intermediate 4, 5 through the input line 2. This example illustrates a method of transmitting a torque, by means of a speed reducer (1) type "compound", of adjusting the axial position of the input line (2) so as to equalize the charges between the two intermediate lines (4, 5). In such a method, the axial displacement d of the input line 2 results from a balancing of the couples transmitted by the input line (2) to the intermediate lines (4, 5), respectively. This is allowed in particular by the existence of an axial force (f1, f2) exerted on the input line (2) by each intermediate line (4, 5), increasing as a function of the transmitted torque and oriented differently for each line intermediate, respectively, while said transmitted torque is an increasing function of the axial displacement d of the input line (2) in the opposite direction to said axial force (f1, f2).

Claims

claims

1. Speed reducer (1) with two intermediate transmission lines (4, 5), in particular for a turbomachine, comprising an input line (2) and an output line (3) driven by the input line via said intermediate lines, these intermediate lines being substantially parallel to an axis (B) of rotation of the input line (2), said reducer further comprising means for distributing charges between the intermediate lines (4, 5), characterized in that said distribution means comprise a pinion (7) integral with a shaft (6) of the input line, the input line being movable in translation along said axis (B) and comprising two helical external gear crowns (7a, 7b) whose helices are oriented in opposite directions, each respectively cooperating with a pinion (12, 13) of an intermediate line (4, 5).

2. Speed reducer (1) according to claim 1, wherein said pinions (12, 13) connected to the intermediate lines (4, 5) are fixed in translation parallel to the axis (B).

3. Speed reducer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two helical outer teeth crowns (7a, 7b) have angles of inclination of the helix substantially equal in absolute value.

4. Speed reducer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two helical outer teeth crowns (7a, 7b) have the same diameter.

5. Speed reducer (1) according to claim 4, wherein the two helical outer gear rings (7a, 7b) are joined, so as to form rafters.

6. Speed reducer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two helical outer teeth crowns (7a, 7b) have substantially the same extension along the axis of rotation (B).

7. Speed reducer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the helix of each ring gear helical external teeth (7a, 7b) is configured so that, during the transmission of a torque, an axial force (f1 , f2) is exerted on the latter by the pinion (12, 13) connected to the corresponding intermediate line, towards the other ring of external helical gears (7b, 7a).

8. Turbomachine, characterized in that it comprises at least one speed reducer (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

9. A method of transmitting a rotational torque, in particular in a turbomachine, by means of a speed reducer (1) comprising an input line (2), two intermediate transmission lines (4, 5), and an output line (3) driven by the input line through said intermediate lines, the intermediate lines (4, 5) being substantially parallel to an axis (B) of rotation of the input line (2). ), the method of adjusting the axial position of the input line (2) along said axis (B) so as to equalize the charges between the two intermediate lines (4, 5).

A torque transmission method according to claim 9, wherein the adjustment of the axial position of the input line (2) is performed automatically by the gearbox (1), and results from a balancing of the couples transmitted by the input line (2) to the intermediate lines (4, 5), respectively.