US 12,187,451 B1
Dual speed planetary gear system for convertible engines
Nathan A. Snape, Tolland, CT (US)
Assigned to RTX Corporation, Farmington, CT (US)
Filed by RTX CORPORATION, Farmington, CT (US)
Filed on Aug. 30, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/458,594.
Int. Cl. B64D 35/02 (2024.01); B64D 27/10 (2006.01); F02C 7/36 (2006.01); F16H 3/78 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 35/02 (2013.01) [B64D 27/10 (2013.01); F02C 7/36 (2013.01); F16H 3/78 (2013.01); F16H 2200/0034 (2013.01); F16H 2200/2005 (2013.01); F16H 2200/2033 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A gas turbine engine comprising:
a propulsor having a propulsor input shaft;
a turbine rotor driving a turbine shaft, said turbine shaft driving said propulsor input shaft through a gear reduction, the gear reduction being a planetary gear system having a sun gear rotating with the turbine shaft and engaging and driving a plurality of planet gears, said planet gears rotating with a gear carrier, the gear carrier driving the propulsor input shaft; and
there being at least two ring gears in engagement with a respective one of two tooth locations on said planet gears; and
a ring lock having a pair of gear tooth sets, a first of said gear tooth sets on said ring lock selectively engaged with a first ring gear tooth set and a second of said gear tooth sets on said ring lock selectively engageable with a second ring gear tooth set, said ring lock constrained against rotation, such that when said first gear tooth set on said ring lock engages said first ring gear tooth set, rotation of said first ring gear is stopped, and said planet gears drive said carrier at a first speed to in turn rotate said propulsor, and when said second ring lock gear tooth set engages said second ring gear tooth set, rotation of said second ring gear stops and said planet gear drives said carrier to in turn rotate the propulsor at a second speed which is different than the first speed.