Method and system for a pitch change mechanism hydraulic fluid transfer sleeve

Abstract

A method of transferring a fluid flow from a stationary member to an adjacent rotatable member and a fluid flow transfer system are provided. The system includes one or more fluid supply conduits and a gearbox flow path configured to channel the flow of fluid through the power gearbox. The system also includes a transfer sleeve device configured to receive the flow of fluid from the gearbox flow path. The transfer sleeve device includes a stationary transfer sleeve member and a rotatable transfer sleeve member. The transfer sleeve device is configured to transfer the flow of fluid between the stationary transfer sleeve member and the rotatable transfer sleeve member. A pitch change mechanism (PCM) actuator is configured to receive the flow of fluid through one or more of a plurality of flow ports wherein the plurality of flow ports direct the flow of fluid to a respective actuator.

1 . A fluid transfer system configured to transfer a flow of fluid from a stationary transfer sleeve member to an adjacent rotatable transfer sleeve member, said system comprising:
 a source of a flow of fluid;   one or more fluid supply conduits configured to channel the flow of fluid to a transfer sleeve device configured to receive the flow of fluid from the source of a flow of fluid, said transfer sleeve device comprising a stationary transfer sleeve member and a rotatable transfer sleeve member, said transfer sleeve device configured to transfer the flow of fluid between said stationary transfer sleeve member and said rotatable transfer sleeve member;   a pitch change mechanism (PCM) actuator comprising a plurality of flow ports and configured to receive the flow of fluid through one or more of the plurality of flow ports, wherein the plurality of flow ports direct the flow of fluid to a respective actuator; and   further comprising a power gearbox comprising a gearbox flow path configured to channel the flow of fluid through the power gearbox on the carrier between gears.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said transfer sleeve device is formed integrally with said power gearbox. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said transfer sleeve device is formed on a forward end of said power gearbox. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said transfer sleeve device is formed on an aft end of said power gearbox. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said transfer sleeve device is configured to transfer a plurality of different flows of fluid through separate transfer plenums. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said transfer sleeve device is configured to transfer a first flow of fluid to a pitch increase portion of said PCM actuator, a second flow of fluid to a pitch decrease portion of said PCM actuator, and a third flow of fluid from a drain portion of said PCM actuator. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said transfer sleeve device is configured to transfer the plurality of different flows of fluid between said stationary transfer sleeve member and said rotatable transfer sleeve member. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method of transferring fluid from a stationary transfer sleeve member to an adjacent rotatable transfer sleeve member in a transfer sleeve device formed integrally with a power gearbox, said method comprising:
 receiving a flow of fluid through each of a plurality of fluid supply conduits;   channeling each of the flows of fluid to a power gearbox portion of said fluid transfer sleeve device;   channeling each of the flows of fluid through gearbox flow paths internal to the power gearbox to respective plenums of the fluid transfer sleeve device;   transferring each of the flows of fluid between a stationary transfer sleeve member and a rotatable transfer sleeve member of the fluid transfer device; and   channeling each of the flows of fluid through one or more flow ports to a respective actuator of a rotatable mechanism.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein channeling each of the flows of fluid through gearbox flow paths internal to the power gearbox to respective plenums of the fluid transfer sleeve device comprises channeling each of the flows of fluid through gearbox flow paths internal to the power gearbox to respective axially spaced plenums of the fluid transfer sleeve device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein transferring each of the flows of fluid between a stationary transfer sleeve member and a rotatable transfer sleeve member of the fluid transfer sleeve device comprises transferring each of the flows of fluid across a gap between the stationary transfer sleeve member and the rotatable transfer sleeve member of the fluid transfer sleeve device in at least one of an axial direction and a radial direction. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein channeling each of the flows of fluid through gearbox flow paths to respective plenums of the fluid transfer sleeve device comprises channeling three flows of fluid through three corresponding gearbox flow paths to three respective plenums of the fluid transfer sleeve device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein channeling the flows of fluid through one or more flow ports to a respective actuator of a rotatable mechanism comprises channeling each of the flows of fluid through a first flow port configured to rotate the respective actuator in a first direction, a second flow port configured to rotate the respective actuator in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a third flow port configured to drain a portion of the respective actuator. 
     
     
         16 . A gas turbine engine assembly comprising:
 a fan assembly comprising an axis of rotation;   a hydraulic actuator configured to angularly displace one or more blades of said fan assembly, said hydraulic actuator rotatable about the axis of rotation with said fan assembly;   a gear assembly configured to drive said fan assembly through a first shaft from a coupling to a power drive shaft, said gear assembly comprising:   a sleeve assembly at least partially surrounding said power drive shaft and coupled to a housing of the gear assembly, said sleeve assembly configured to receive a plurality of externally modulated flows of oil through said power drive shaft and to distribute the flows of oil through respective ports of a plurality of radially outwardly directed ports, said ports angled with respect to a radial line of said sleeve assembly in a direction of rotation of said power drive shaft, each of the plurality of flows of oil channeled to a respective hydraulic actuator or combination of hydraulic actuators.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said transfer sleeve device is formed integrally with said power gearbox. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said transfer sleeve device is formed on at least one of a forward end of said power gearbox and an aft end of said power gearbox. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said transfer sleeve device is configured to transfer a first flow of fluid to a pitch increase portion of said PCM actuator, a second flow of fluid to a pitch decrease portion of said PCM actuator, and a third flow of fluid to a drain portion of said PCM actuator. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said transfer sleeve device is configured to transfer the flow of fluid between said stationary transfer sleeve member and said rotatable transfer sleeve member in at least one of a radial direction and an axial direction. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein said transfer sleeve device is configured to transfer the flow of fluid in the axial direction between a stationary transfer flange member and a rotatable transfer flange member in an adjacent face-to-face orientation.