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EP-4736980-A1 - IMPELLER ROTOR SEAL RUNNER WITH ANTI-ROTATION FEATURE

EP4736980A1EP 4736980 A1EP4736980 A1EP 4736980A1EP-4736980-A1

Abstract

An impeller rotor (30) includes a plurality of fluid circuits (106) arranged circumferentially about an axis (44) within the impeller rotor (30). Each of the fluid circuits (106) includes a first outlet passage (110), a second outlet passage (112) and an inlet passage (108) fluidly coupled to the first outlet passage (110) and the second outlet passage (112) in parallel. A seal runner (118) includes a bore (132), a sidewall (126) and a rim (128). The bore (132) is fluidly coupled to the first outlet passage (110) of each of the fluid circuits (106). The rim (128) projects radially out from the sidewall (126) to an outer end (164) of the rim (128). The rim (128) is seated in a recess (204) in the impeller rotor (30). The rim (128) includes a flat disposed at the outer end (164) of the rim (128). The flat of the rim (128) is configured to engage a flat of the impeller rotor (30) to rotationally fix the seal runner (118) to the impeller rotor (30).

Inventors

  • BAKER-OSTIGUY, Simon
  • LABBE, MICHEL
  • GIGNAC, STEPHANE

Assignees

  • PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20251031

Claims (15)

  1. An apparatus for an aircraft powerplant, comprising: an impeller rotor (30) configured to rotate about an axis (44), the impeller rotor (30) including a plurality of fluid circuits (106) arranged circumferentially about the axis (44) within the impeller rotor (30), and each of the plurality of fluid circuits (106) including a first outlet passage (110), a second outlet passage (112) and an inlet passage (108) fluidly coupled to the first outlet passage (110) and the second outlet passage (112) in parallel; and a seal runner (118) connected to the impeller rotor (30), the seal runner (118) including a bore (132), a sidewall (126) and a rim (128), the bore (132) fluidly coupled to the first outlet passage (110) of each of the plurality of fluid circuits (106), the sidewall (126) extending axially along and circumferentially around the bore (132), the rim (128) projecting radially out from the sidewall (126) to an outer end (164) of the rim (128), the rim (128) seated in a recess (204) in the impeller rotor (30), the rim (128) comprising a flat disposed at the outer end (164) of the rim (128), and the flat of the rim (128) configured to engage a flat of the impeller rotor (30) to rotationally fix the seal runner (118) to the impeller rotor (30).
  2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rim (128) further comprises a second flat disposed at the outer end (164) of the rim (128), and the second flat of the rim (128) is configured to engage a second flat of the impeller rotor (30) to further rotationally fix the seal runner (118) to the impeller rotor (30).
  3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer end (164) of the rim (128) has a polygonal cross-sectional geometry when viewed in a reference plane perpendicular to the axis (44).
  4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: the polygonal cross-sectional geometry of the outer end (164) of the rim (128) has a hexagonal shape; or the polygonal cross-sectional geometry of the outer end (164) of the rim (128) has a dodecagonal shape.
  5. The apparatus of claim 3 or 4, wherein: an outer side of the recess (204) has a polygonal cross-sectional geometry when viewed in the reference plane, and the polygonal cross-sectional geometry of the outer side of the recess (204) and the polygonal cross-sectional geometry of the outer end of the rim (128) have a common shape; or an outer side of the recess (204) has a polygonal cross-sectional geometry when viewed in the reference plane, and the polygonal cross-sectional geometry of the outer side of the recess (204) and the polygonal cross-sectional geometry of the outer end of the rim (128) have different shapes.
  6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sidewall (126) forms an outer peripheral boundary of the bore (132) within the seal runner (118).
  7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein: the seal runner (118) further includes an endwall (130); the sidewall (126) projects axially out from the endwall (130) to a distal end of the seal runner (118), the sidewall (126) includes a plurality of ports (134), each of the plurality of ports (134) extends radially through the sidewall (126), and each of the plurality of ports (134) fluidly couples the first outlet passage (110) of at least one of the plurality of fluid circuits (106) to the bore (132); and the bore (132) extends axially along the sidewall (126) to the endwall (130).
  8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the seal runner (118) is mechanically attached to the impeller rotor (30).
  9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising: a lip seal (120) circumscribing and radially sealingly engaging an outer land surface (156) of the sidewall (126); the seal runner (118) projecting axially away from the impeller rotor (30) to a distal end of the seal runner (118), and the outer land surface (156) axially between the rim (128) and the distal end of the seal runner (118).
  10. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein: the impeller rotor (30) includes a vane structure (80) and a shroud (78) circumscribing the vane structure (80); the vane structure (80) includes a first sidewall (102), a second sidewall (104) and a plurality of vanes (100) arranged circumferentially about the axis (44); and each of the plurality of vanes (100) comprises: an inlet vane portion radially between the second sidewall (104) and the shroud (78), the inlet vane portion forming a side of the inlet passage (108) of a respective one of the plurality of fluid circuits (106); a first outlet vane portion axially between the first sidewall (102) and the second sidewall (104), the first outlet vane portion forming a side of the first outlet passage (110) of a respective one of the plurality of fluid circuits (106); and a second outlet vane portion radially between the first sidewall (102) and the shroud (78), the second outlet vane portion forming a side of the second outlet passage (112) of a respective one of the plurality of fluid circuits (106).
  11. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the impeller rotor (30) comprises a deaerator impeller rotor.
  12. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein: the sidewall (126) includes an inner guide surface (144) and an outer land surface (156), and the sidewall (126) extends radially between the inner guide surface (144) and the outer land surface (156); and the inner guide surface (144) forms a radial outer peripheral boundary of the bore (132), and the inner guide surface (144) radially diverges away from the axis (44) as the inner guide surface (144) extends axially along the axis (44), wherein, optionally: the sidewall (126) includes a plurality of ports (134); each of the plurality of ports (134) fluidly couples the first outlet passage (110) of at least one of the plurality of fluid circuits (106) to the bore (132); and each of the plurality of ports (134) extends radially through the sidewall (126) and pierces the inner guide surface (144).
  13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the inner guide surface (144) radially diverges away from the axis (44) as the inner guide surface (144) extends axially away from the impeller rotor (30) and to a distal end of the seal runner (118).
  14. An apparatus for an aircraft powerplant, comprising: an impeller rotor (30) configured to rotate about an axis (44), the impeller rotor (30) including a plurality of fluid circuits (106) arranged circumferentially about the axis (44) within the impeller rotor (30), and each of the plurality of fluid circuits (106) including a first outlet passage (110), a second outlet passage (112) and an inlet passage (108) fluidly coupled to the first outlet passage (110) and the second outlet passage (112) in parallel; and a seal runner (118) mechanically fastened to the impeller rotor (30), the seal runner (118) including a bore (132), a plurality of ports (134), a sidewall (126) and an anti-rotation feature (166), each of the plurality of ports (134) extending radially through the sidewall (126), each of the plurality of ports (134) fluidly coupling the first outlet passage (110) of at least one of the plurality of fluid circuits (106) to the bore (132), the sidewall (126) extending axially along, circumscribing and forming a radial outer peripheral boundary of the bore (132), and the anti-rotation feature (166) having a polygonal cross-sectional geometry when viewed in a reference plane perpendicular to the axis (44); wherein the anti-rotation feature (166) is configured to contact the impeller rotor (30) to rotationally fix the seal runner (118) with the impeller rotor (30), wherein, optionally, the apparatus further comprises: a lip seal (120) circumscribing and radially sealingly engaging an outer land surface (156) of the seal runner (118); the anti-rotation feature (166) located axially between the outer land surface (156) of the seal runner (118) and the plurality of ports (134).
  15. An apparatus for an aircraft powerplant, comprising: an impeller rotor (30) configured to rotate about an axis (44), the impeller rotor (30) including a plurality of fluid circuits (106) arranged circumferentially about the axis (44) within the impeller rotor (30), and each of the plurality of fluid circuits (106) including a first outlet passage (110), a second outlet passage (112) and an inlet passage (108) fluidly coupled to the first outlet passage (110) and the second outlet passage (112) in parallel; and a seal runner (118) mechanically fastened to the impeller rotor (30), the seal runner (118) including a bore (132), a plurality of ports (134), a sidewall (126) and a protrusion (128), each of the plurality of ports (134) extending radially through the sidewall (126), each of the plurality of ports (134) fluidly coupling the first outlet passage (110) of at least one of the plurality of fluid circuits (106) to the bore (126), the sidewall (126) extending axially along, circumscribing and forming a radial outer peripheral boundary of the bore (132), and the protrusion (128) projecting radially out from the sidewall (126) and into a recess (204) in the impeller rotor (30); wherein the protrusion (128) is configured to plug axially into the recess (204) during assembly of the seal runner (118) with the impeller rotor (30), and an interface between the protrusion (128) and the impeller rotor (30) rotationally fixes the seal runner (118) to the impeller rotor (30), wherein, optionally, the apparatus further comprises: a lip seal (120) circumscribing and radially sealingly engaging an outer land surface (156) of the seal runner (118); the protrusion (128) disposed axially between the outer land surface (156) of the seal runner (118) and the plurality of ports (134).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to an aircraft powerplant and, more particularly, to an impeller rotor for the aircraft powerplant. BACKGROUND INFORMATION An aircraft powerplant such as a gas turbine engine may include a deaerator for separating a fluid into its liquid and gas components. Various types and configurations of deaerators are known in the art. While these known deaerators have various benefits, there is still room in the art for improvement. SUMMARY According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus is provided for an aircraft powerplant. This apparatus includes an impeller rotor and a seal runner. The impeller rotor is configured to rotate about an axis. The impeller rotor includes a plurality of fluid circuits arranged circumferentially about the axis within the impeller rotor. Each of the fluid circuits includes a first outlet passage, a second outlet passage and an inlet passage fluidly coupled to the first outlet passage and the second outlet passage in parallel. The seal runner is connected to the impeller rotor. The seal runner includes a bore, a sidewall and a rim. The bore is fluidly coupled to the first outlet passage of each of the fluid circuits. The sidewall extends axially along and circumferentially around the bore. The rim projects radially out from the sidewall to an outer end of the rim. The rim is seated in a recess in the impeller rotor. The rim includes a flat disposed at the outer end of the rim. The flat of the rim is configured to engage a flat of the impeller rotor to rotationally fix the seal runner to the impeller rotor. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, another apparatus is provided for an aircraft powerplant. This apparatus includes an impeller rotor and a seal runner. The impeller rotor is configured to rotate about an axis. The impeller rotor includes a plurality of fluid circuits arranged circumferentially about the axis within the impeller rotor. Each of the fluid circuits includes a first outlet passage, a second outlet passage and an inlet passage fluidly coupled to the first outlet passage and the second outlet passage in parallel. The seal runner is mechanically fastened to the impeller rotor. The seal runner includes a bore, a plurality of ports, a sidewall and an anti-rotation feature. Each of the ports extends radially through the sidewall. Each of the ports fluidly couples the first outlet passage of at least one of the fluid circuits to the bore. The sidewall extends axially along, circumscribes and forms a radial outer peripheral boundary of the bore. The anti-rotation feature has a polygonal cross-sectional geometry when viewed in a reference plane perpendicular to the axis. The anti-rotation feature is configured to contact the impeller rotor to rotationally fix the seal runner with the impeller rotor. According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, another apparatus is provided for an aircraft powerplant. This apparatus includes an impeller rotor and a seal runner. The impeller rotor is configured to rotate about an axis. The impeller rotor includes a plurality of fluid circuits arranged circumferentially about the axis within the impeller rotor. Each of the fluid circuits includes a first outlet passage, a second outlet passage and an inlet passage fluidly coupled to the first outlet passage and the second outlet passage in parallel. The seal runner is mechanically fastened to the impeller rotor. The seal runner includes a bore, a plurality of ports, a sidewall and a protrusion. Each of the ports extends radially through the sidewall. Each of the ports fluidly couples the first outlet passage of at least one of the fluid circuits to the bore. The sidewall extends axially along, circumscribes and forms a radial outer peripheral boundary of the bore. The protrusion projects radially out from the sidewall and into a recess in the impeller rotor. The protrusion is configured to plug axially into the recess during assembly of the seal runner with the impeller rotor. An interface between the protrusion and the impeller rotor rotationally fixes the seal runner to the impeller rotor. The following optional features may be applied to any of the above aspects. The apparatus may also include a lip seal circumscribing and radially sealingly engaging an outer land surface of the seal runner. The protrusion may be disposed axially between the outer land surface of the seal runner and the ports. The apparatus may also include a lip seal circumscribing and radially sealingly engaging an outer land surface of the seal runner. The anti-rotation feature may be located axially between the outer land surface of the seal runner and the ports. The rim may also include a second flat disposed at the outer end of the rim. The second flat of the rim may be configured to engage a second flat of the impeller rotor to further rotationally fix the seal runner to the impeller rotor. The outer end of the rim may have