ELUBSYS · Engine LUBrication SYStem technologies

In aeronautics, gas turbine engines are equipped with lubrication systems whose function is to cool and lubricate the highly loaded rolling bearings and gearboxes. Current lubrication systems are based on architectures and technologies that have not much evolved for the last 30 years and that, despite advances made on components, have reached their technological limit. Future aero-engine requirements cannot be met neither by state-of-the-art lubrication systems nor by incremental improvement. ELUBSYS will design, develop and validate innovative technologies and architectures for aero-engine lubrication systems targeting increased efficiency and reduced cost, mass and engine Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC). The primary focus is around new brush seal technologies that offer the potential to improve engine propulsive efficiency by reducing bleed air losses whilst withstanding the aero-engine’s harsh environment. ELUBSYS will investigate the performance and endurance of brush seals; assess their impact on the thermal efficiency of lubrication systems and their external components and on oil quality. A secondary focus is the wider lubrication system including vent, scavenge, bearing chamber modelling and oil behaviour. Main objectives of the project are to: - Reduce engine SFC and related CO2 emissions by reducing by 60% the requirement for bleed air from the engine to seal the bearing chambers and by improving the thermal management of bearing chamber housings and ports - Reduce engine oil consumption by 60% - Optimise the architecture and performance of lubrication systems and thereby reduce their complexity and mass - Develop solutions to improve monitoring of engine oil quality and prevent coking in the lubrication system These goals will be achieved by a European consortium of Industry, Research centres, Academia and SMEs who will develop and validate these new lubrication technologies using modeling approaches and existing state-of-the-art test facilities.