GAS TURBINE ENGINE

Abstract

A gas turbine engine for an aircraft. The engine comprising: an engine core comprising a turbine, a compressor, a fan located upstream of the compressor and comprising a plurality of fan blades, and a core shaft connecting the turbine to the compressor; a gearbox which receives an input from the core shaft and outputs drive, via a driveshaft, to the fan so as to drive the fan at a lower rotational speed than the turbine, the drive shaft and core shaft forming a shaft system. The shaft system provides: a first portion which extends forward from a first thrust bearing to the fan, the first thrust bearing supporting the shaft system and being located between the turbine and the gearbox, and a second portion extending rearward from the first thrust bearing to the turbine, such that in the event of a shaft break within the second portion of the shaft system, said shaft break dividing the shaft system into a front portion axially located by the first thrust bearing and a rear portion no longer axially located by the first thrust bearing, the rear portion is free to move axially rearwardly under a gas load; and wherein the engine further comprises a shaft break detector, configured to detect a shaft break in the shaft system.

Claims

1. A gas turbine engine for an aircraft comprising: an engine core comprising a turbine, a compressor, a fan located upstream of the compressor and comprising a plurality of fan blades, and a core shaft connecting the turbine to the compressor; a gearbox which receives an input from the core shaft and outputs drive, via a driveshaft, to the fan so as to drive the fan at a lower rotational speed than the turbine, the drive shaft and core shaft forming a shaft system, wherein the shaft system provides: a first portion which extends forward from a first thrust bearing to the fan, the first thrust bearing supporting the shaft system and being located between the turbine and the gearbox, and a second portion extending rearward from the first thrust bearing to the turbine, such that in the event of a shaft break within the second portion of the shaft system, said shaft break dividing the shaft system into a front portion axially located by the first thrust bearing and a rear portion no longer axially located by the first thrust bearing, the rear portion is free to move axially rearwardly under a gas load; and wherein the engine further comprises a shaft break detector, configured to detect a shaft break in the shaft system.

2. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core shaft is supported by one or more non-thrust bearings located rearwards of the first thrust bearing.

3. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first thrust bearing is located such that the pathway for torque transmission from the turbine to the compressor includes the first portion of the shaft system.

4. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive shaft is supported forward of the first thrust bearing by one or more further thrust bearings.

5. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first thrust bearing and a further thrust bearing are mechanically coupled in that one raceway of the further thrust bearing is rotationally locked relative to a radially opposite raceway of the first thrust bearing.

6. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft break detector includes a pair of phonic wheels spaced axially along the shaft system, each configured to sense a rotational speed of a respective portion of the shaft system.

7. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft break detector includes a pair of microwave sensors, configured to sense respective rotational speeds of axially spaced portions of the shaft system.

8. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft break detector includes a phonic wheel, located at a first portion of the shaft system, and a microwave sensor, configured to sense a rotational speed of the shaft system at a second portion of the shaft system axially spaced form the first portion.

9. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a roller bearing supporting the drive shaft.

10. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft break detector is configured to register a shaft break when it detects a twist exceeding a predetermined threshold between two points in the first portion of the shaft system.

11. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an axial movement sensor, configured to register a shaft break when it detects rearward axial movement of the rear portion of the shaft system in the event of a shaft break within the second portion of the shaft system.

12. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, further including a sealed cavity located rearward of the first thrust bearing, wherein the sealed cavity, during operation of the gas turbine engine, is pressurised to a pressure exceeding that of a cavity containing the first thrust bearings, such that an axially forward force is applied to the core shaft.

13. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the turbine is a first turbine, the compressor is a first compressor, and the core shaft is a first core shaft; the engine core further comprises a second turbine, a second compressor, and a second core shaft connecting the second turbine to the second compressor; the second turbine, second compressor, and second core shaft are arranged to rotate at a higher rotational speed than the first core shaft; and wherein the second core shaft is axially located by one or more respective thrust bearings.

14. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first thrust bearing of the first core shaft and a thrust bearing of the second core shaft are mechanically coupled in that a radially outer raceway of the second core shaft thrust bearing is rotationally locked relative to a radially inner raceway of the first thrust bearing.

15. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fan is coupled to an input shaft of the gear box through a fan catcher shaft, which axially locates the fan, and through a fan shaft component which transmits torque from the gearbox but does not axially locate the fan.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the Figures, in which:

[0067] FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a gas turbine engine;

[0068] FIG. 2 is a close up sectional side view of an upstream portion of a gas turbine engine;

[0069] FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away view of a gearbox for a gas turbine engine;

[0070] FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a gas turbine spool;

[0071] FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool;

[0072] FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool;

[0073] FIG. 7 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool;

[0074] FIG. 8 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool;

[0075] FIG. 9 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool;

[0076] FIG. 10 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool;

[0077] FIG. 11 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool;

[0078] FIG. 12 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool;

[0079] FIG. 13 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool;

[0080] FIG. 14 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool; and

[0081] FIG. 15 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool;

[0082] Aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0083] FIG. 1 illustrates a gas turbine engine 10 having a principal rotational axis 9. The engine 10 comprises an air intake 12 and a propulsive fan 23 that generates two airflows: a core airflow A and a bypass airflow B. The gas turbine engine 10 comprises a core 11 that receives the core airflow A. The engine core 11 comprises, in axial flow series, a low pressure compressor 14, a high-pressure compressor 15, combustion equipment 16, a high-pressure turbine 17, a low pressure turbine 19 and a core exhaust nozzle 20. A nacelle 21 surrounds the gas turbine engine 10 and defines a bypass duct 22 and a bypass exhaust nozzle 18. The bypass airflow B flows through the bypass duct 22. The fan 23 is attached to and driven by the low pressure turbine 19 via a shaft 26 and an epicyclic gearbox 30.

[0084] In use, the core airflow A is accelerated and compressed by the low pressure compressor 14 and directed into the high pressure compressor 15 where further compression takes place. The compressed air exhausted from the high pressure compressor 15 is directed into the combustion equipment 16 where it is mixed with fuel and the mixture is combusted. The resultant hot combustion products then expand through, and thereby drive, the high pressure and low pressure turbines 17, 19 before being exhausted through the core exhaust nozzle 20 to provide some propulsive thrust. The high pressure turbine 17 drives the high pressure compressor 15 by a suitable interconnecting shaft 27. The fan 23 generally provides the majority of the propulsive thrust. The epicyclic gearbox 30 is a reduction gearbox.

[0085] An exemplary arrangement for a geared fan gas turbine engine 10 is shown in FIG. 2. The low pressure turbine 19 (see FIG. 1) drives the shaft 26, which is coupled to a sun wheel, or sun gear, 28 of the epicyclic gear arrangement 30. Radially outwardly of the sun gear 28 and intermeshing therewith is a plurality of planet gears 32 that are coupled together by a planet carrier 34. The planet carrier 34 constrains the planet gears 32 to precess around the sun gear 28 in synchronicity whilst enabling each planet gear 32 to rotate about its own axis. The planet carrier 34 is coupled via linkages 36 to the fan 23 in order to drive its rotation about the engine axis 9. Radially outwardly of the planet gears 32 and intermeshing therewith is an annulus or ring gear 38 that is coupled, via linkages 40, to a stationary supporting structure 24.

[0086] Note that the terms “low pressure turbine” and “low pressure compressor” as used herein may be taken to mean the lowest pressure turbine stages and lowest pressure compressor stages (i.e. not including the fan 23) respectively and/or the turbine and compressor stages that are connected together by the interconnecting shaft 26 with the lowest rotational speed in the engine (i.e. not including the gearbox output shaft that drives the fan 23). In some literature, the “low pressure turbine” and “low pressure compressor” referred to herein may alternatively be known as the “intermediate pressure turbine” and “intermediate pressure compressor”. Where such alternative nomenclature is used, the fan 23 may be referred to as a first, or lowest pressure, compression stage.

[0087] The epicyclic gearbox 30 is shown by way of example in greater detail in FIG. 3. Each of the sun gear 28, planet gears 32 and ring gear 38 comprise teeth about their periphery to intermesh with the other gears. However, for clarity only exemplary portions of the teeth are illustrated in FIG. 3. There are four planet gears 32 illustrated, although it will be apparent to the skilled reader that more or fewer planet gears 32 may be provided within the scope of the claimed invention. Practical applications of a planetary epicyclic gearbox 30 generally comprise at least three planet gears 32.

[0088] The epicyclic gearbox 30 illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 2 and 3 is of the planetary type, in that the planet carrier 34 is coupled to an output shaft via linkages 36, with the ring gear 38 fixed. However, any other suitable type of epicyclic gearbox 30 may be used. By way of further example, the epicyclic gearbox 30 may be a star arrangement, in which the planet carrier 34 is held fixed, with the ring (or annulus) gear 38 allowed to rotate. In such an arrangement the fan 23 is driven by the ring gear 38. By way of further alternative example, the gearbox 30 may be a differential gearbox in which the ring gear 38 and the planet carrier 34 are both allowed to rotate.

[0089] It will be appreciated that the arrangement shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is by way of example only, and various alternatives are within the scope of the present disclosure. Purely by way of example, any suitable arrangement may be used for locating the gearbox 30 in the engine 10 and/or for connecting the gearbox 30 to the engine 10. By way of further example, the connections (such as the linkages 36, 40 in the FIG. 2 example) between the gearbox 30 and other parts of the engine 10 (such as the input shaft 26, the output shaft and the fixed structure 24) may have any desired degree of stiffness or flexibility. For example, where the gearbox 30 has a star arrangement (described above), the skilled person would readily understand that the arrangement of output and support linkages and bearing locations would typically be different to that shown by way of example in FIG. 2.

[0090] Accordingly, the present disclosure extends to a gas turbine engine having any arrangement of gearbox styles (for example star or planetary), support structures, input and output shaft arrangement.

[0091] Optionally, the gearbox may drive additional and/or alternative components (e.g. the intermediate pressure compressor and/or a booster compressor).

[0092] Other gas turbine engines to which the present disclosure may be applied may have alternative configurations. For example, such engines may have an alternative number of compressors and/or turbines and/or an alternative number of interconnecting shafts. By way of further example, the gas turbine engine shown in FIG. 1 has a split flow nozzle 18, 20 meaning that the flow through the bypass duct 22 has its own nozzle 18 that is separate to and radially outside the core exhaust nozzle 20. However, this is not limiting, and any aspect of the present disclosure may also apply to engines in which the flow through the bypass duct 22 and the flow through the core 11 are mixed, or combined, before (or upstream of) a single nozzle, which may be referred to as a mixed flow nozzle. One or both nozzles (whether mixed or split flow) may have a fixed or variable area. Whilst the described example relates to a turbofan engine, the disclosure may apply, for example, to any type of gas turbine engine, such as an open rotor (in which the fan stage is not surrounded by a nacelle) or turboprop engine, for example. In some arrangements, the gas turbine engine 10 may not comprise a gearbox 30.

[0093] The geometry of the gas turbine engine 10, and components thereof, is defined by a conventional axis system, comprising an axial direction (which is aligned with the rotational axis 9), a radial direction (in the bottom-to-top direction in FIG. 1), and a circumferential direction (perpendicular to the page in the FIG. 1 view). The axial, radial and circumferential directions are mutually perpendicular.

[0094] FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a gas turbine spool 400, and in particular an intermediate pressure (IP) spool to which the present disclosure applies. The spool comprises a fan 23, an IP compressor 14, an IP turbine 19, and their interconnecting shaft system. The shaft system includes core shaft 26, which is mechanically coupled to drive shaft 450 of the gearbox 30. As before, the engine has a configuration in which the fan 12 is driven at a lower rotational speed than the turbine 19 due to being connected via gearbox 30. The IP turbine in this example has several stages, the rotors of which are designated IPT1, IPT2 . . . IPTn.

[0095] The shaft system of the IP spool provides a first portion as indicated by arrow 401 and a second portion as indicated by arrow 402. The first portion extends from first thrust bearing 403, located downstream of the IP compressor, to the fan 23. The second portion extends from the first thrust bearing to the IP turbine 19. The dashed regions next to each bearing signify the stationary side of the bearing (e.g. the ‘earth’ side). The first portion 401 includes a region of the core shaft 26, the drive shaft 450, and a fan shaft component 405. The fan shaft component 405 is connected to the core shaft via drive shaft 450 of gearbox 30, and so turns at a different rotational speed to the core shaft. The second portion 402 includes the core shaft 26 and an IP turbine drive arm 412. The IP turbine drive arm is connected to the core shaft 26 via bolt arrangement 414.

[0096] The first portion 401 can be referred to as the ‘located failure’ region of the shaft system, in that any shaft break in the first portion would not result in the axial movement of any part of the shaft system. This is because any shaft break between thrust bearing 403 and the power gearbox will be axial located. Whereas, the second portion 402 can be referred to the ‘unlocated failure’ region of the shaft system, in that any shaft break in the second portion would result in a now axially unlocated portion of the shaft system (referred to as the rear portion previously) can move axially rearwards under a gas load.

[0097] The first portion 401 is protected by inclusion of rotational speed sensors 420, in this example provide by phonic wheel based sensors. Each phonic wheel based sensor may include a phonic wheel, coupled to a magnetic reluctance sensor which senses when a tooth of the phonic wheel passes in front of it. If the shaft system breaks at any point in the first portion, the rotational speed sensors 420 will detect that a difference in the speeds measured by each sensor 420 exceeds a threshold and can then register this event and prompt countermeasures (e.g. reduction or cut-off of the fuel supply). In some examples, the registration of a shaft break event may be performed by an engine control system which receives readings of rotational speed from the sensors. The second portion 402 is, in this example, protected by clashing or tangling of the turbine elements with static structures located around the turbine (e.g. stator vanes). As discussed previously, this clashing or tangling reduces the terminal speed of the turbine by generating friction.

[0098] In the example shown in FIG. 4, there is a further thrust bearing 422 which axially locates the fan shaft component 405. This ensures that, even in the event of a shaft break, the fan 23 is retained within the engine cowling. There is also a roller bearing 424 which radially supports the drive shaft of the gearbox 30. There is also a roller bearing 426 which radially supports the shaft system at a point between the thrust bearing 403 and the IP turbine 19.

[0099] FIG. 5 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool. Where the gas turbine spool of FIG. 5 shares features with the spool shown in FIG. 4, like features are indicated by like reference numerals.

[0100] In contrast to the spool shown in FIG. 4, the spool in FIG. 5 includes a backing sensor 501. The backing sensor is used to detect axial movement of the turbine rotors which is indicative of an unlocated break in the shaft system. The backing sensor in this example is based on electrical conductivity or resistivity of a wire. The wire is enclosed in a brittle material, such as a ceramic, which is shattered when the turbine rotor clashes against it.

[0101] This shattering causes the wire to change its resistivity or conductivity, and the change in electrical behaviour is used as a detection method for an unlocated shaft failure event.

[0102] The backing sensor 501 can be used to protect against shaft failure either in conjunction with the tangling discussed previously, or by itself. Once a shaft failure is detected (by either the backing sensor or phonic wheels 420) action is taken to mitigate this. Preferably, this mitigation includes fuel shut off to the gas turbine engine.

[0103] FIG. 6 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool. Where the gas turbine spool of FIG. 6 shares features with previous spools, like features are indicated by like reference numerals.

[0104] In contrast to the spools shown previously, the spool on FIG. 6 includes a microwave sensor in either (or both) of positions 601 or 602. The microwave sensor is a microwave transmission and reception device which uses principles similar to those of sonar or radar. The sensor can be positioned so as to point towards the blades of a turbine stage and, by using sonar principles, can discern the presence of blades as they rotate or pass by the sensor and in this way detect the presence of blades in front of the sensor. The number of blades passing per interval of time can be counted, and so the rotational speed of the turbine stage inferred. This rotational speed can be used, as previously discussed, to register a shaft break if it occurs.

[0105] The derivation of the rotational speed of the last turbine stage, IPTn, can be performed by if the microwave sensor is in either position 601 or 602. However, preferably, the microwave sensor is located in position 601 so that it is not within the core gas flow path, and so contamination risks are minimised. As the sensor, in either position, senses the rotational speed of the last turbine stage, this allows the entire shaft system to be protected in the event of a shaft break. Also of note, is that the second phonic wheel (previously located near the IPC) can be removed.

[0106] In a variant of FIG. 6, the microwave sensor utilises sonar principles and the Doppler Effect to detect axial displacement of one of the turbine stages. This allows the microwave sensor to function in the same manner as the backing sensor discussed previously, and indeed may be an example of a backing sensor.

[0107] FIG. 7 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool. Where the gas turbine spool of FIG. 7 shares features with previous spools, like features are indicated by like reference numerals.

[0108] In contrast the spool shown previously, the spool in FIG. 7 provides a single microwave sensor 701 which is directed at the first IPT stage i.e. the one closest to the IPC. In addition to this microwave sensor, the IPT is driven from the last stage as a variant IP turbine drive arm 512 is used which connects at one end to the core shaft 26 and at an opposing end to the first IPT stage (IPT1), with the other turbine stages being connected at points between these ends. By arranging the microwave sensor 701 and IPT stage according to FIG. 7, complete protection of the torque path in the event of shaft failure can be achieved. Again, in the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the second phonic wheel can be omitted.

[0109] FIG. 8 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool. Where the gas turbine spool of FIG. 8 shares features with previous spools, like features are indicated by like reference numerals.

[0110] In addition to the microwave sensor in one, or both, of positions 601 and 601 as per FIG. 6, the spool of FIG. 8 also includes a second microwave sensor 801 which measures the fan 23 rotational speed. The other microwave sensor(s), as before, measures the rotational speed of the turbine stage which is furthest from the connection between IP turbine drive arm 412 and the core shaft 26. The entire torque path is, again, protected in the event of shaft failure. In this example, both phonic wheels referred to previously can be omitted.

[0111] FIG. 9 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool. Where the gas turbine spool of FIG. 9 shares features with previous spools, like features are indicated by like reference numerals.

[0112] The spool shown in FIG. 9 includes a phonic wheel 420, as before, which measures the rotational speed of the fan shaft component 405. It does not, however, include a phonic wheel located next to the compressor. Instead, microwave sensor 901 is positioned to measure the rotational speed of the first row of blades in the compressor (the ones located furthest from thrust bearing 403). This configuration protects the entire first, axially located, portion 401 of the shaft system including the compressor interstage drive arms. Whilst not shown, in a further variant to FIG. 9, phonic wheel 420 can be replaced by a microwave sensor in the same manner as discussed in relation to FIG. 8. Whilst the turbine drive arm 412 in FIG. 9 matches those in FIGS. 4-6 and 8, it may be replaced with the variant turbine drive arm 512 described in FIG. 7.

[0113] FIG. 10 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool. Where the gas turbine spool of FIG. 10 shares features with previous spools, like features are indicated by like reference numerals. The spool in FIG. 10 differs from that shown in FIG. 4, in that thrust bearings 1002 of the high pressure compressor (HPC) are coupled to the thrust bearings 403 of the IPC. This coupling reduces the axial load incurred from the backwards pull of the IP turbine. The HP spool has a resultant forward pull that will be compensated with the backward pull from the IPT.

[0114] The bearing coupling also brings a benefit in that there is a lower relative speed between the raceways of the thrust bearings as compared to examples where the one raceway is essentially stationary, as the HP and IP spools are rotating at different speeds but in the same direction. In some examples, to couple the thrust bearings the radially inner raceway of the IP spool thrust bearing 403 is mechanically coupled by linkage 1001 to the radially outer raceway of the HPC thrust bearing 1002 so that the two are rotationally locked and rotate at the same rate. In other examples, the thrust bearings are coupled by slightly permutating the linkages between raceways. In yet other examples, the inner raceway of the IPC bearing is coupled to the inner raceway of HPC bearing and the outer raceway of the HPC bearing will couple to the HP compressor.

[0115] With this arrangement, as shown in FIG. 10, the second phonic wheel 420 is moved to a forward stubshaft out of the thrust bearing 403. This arrangement ensures that all located shaft failures on the IPC remains part of the first portion 401 of the shaft system.

[0116] FIG. 11 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool. Where the gas turbine spool of FIG. 11 shares features previous spools, like features are indicated by like reference numerals. The spool in FIG. 11 differs from that in FIG. 10 in that it includes a seal segment managing system. This system uses secondary air system (SAS) to pressurise a sealed cavity 1101. The cavity has a relatively large diameter seal, where one face is attached to the IP spool and the other face is anchored to a static element of the engine. This creases a piston effect, with a resultant axially forward force 1102 that counters the backwards pull force of the IPT on the thrust bearing 403. The system in FIG. 11 can be used in addition to the bearing coupling discussed with relation to FIG. 10, or instead of the bearing coupling.

[0117] FIG. 12 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool. Where the gas turbine spool of FIG. 12 shares features previous spools, like features are indicated by like reference numerals. The spool in FIG. 12 differs from that in FIG. 4 in that the roller bearing, supporting the drive shaft 450, is located between the gearbox 30 and the fan 23, instead of between the gearbox 30 and the IPC 14. Positioning the bearing so allows the planetary carrier of the gearbox to be isolated from any radial reactions.

[0118] FIG. 13 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool. Where the gas turbine spool of FIG. 13 shares features previous spools, like features are indicated by like reference numerals. The spool shown in FIG. 13 differs from those shown previously, in that thrust bearing 422, adjacent to the fan, and roller bearing 424, adjacent to the drive shaft 450 of gearbox 30 have been swapped. Therefore the fan shaft component 405 is only radially supported by its bearing, and the drive shaft 450 of the gearbox is radially and axially supported by thrust bearing 442. Fan retention is achieved due to the fan being secured to the input shaft of the gearbox via fan catcher shaft 1301, and the drive shaft being axially located by thrust bearing 422.

[0119] FIG. 14 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool. Where the gas turbine spool of FIG. 14 shares features previous spools, like features are indicated by like reference numerals. FIG. 14 differs from FIG. 13, in that thrust bearing 422 is coupled with thrust bearing 403 via mechanical linkage 1401. As mentioned before with relation to FIG. 10, by coupling the raceways of the thrust bearings together, the axial load can be reduced as can the relative rotational speeds.

[0120] FIG. 15 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a variant gas turbine spool. Where the gas turbine spool of FIG. 15 shares features previous spools, like features are indicated by like reference numerals. The spool in FIG. 15 differs from that shown in FIG. 4, in that the gearbox is provided as a STAR configuration gearbox 1501. The STAR configuration gearbox has a carrier of planets which fixed (as opposed to free to move, in previous examples), and the ring gear rotates and transmits torque to the fan assembly. The gearbox also includes a containment casing for the gearbox ring gear. Whilst not shown, the example shown in FIG. 15 may adopt any of the bearing and/or sensor configurations discussed in relation to any of FIGS. 4-9.

[0121] In the figures, the marker 220 represents areas of sealing and static structures, which should typically allow for free backward movement. Marker 224 represents air system cavities, which typically are not allowed to become semi-sealed. Marker 222 represents components with an associated loss of performance due to increased tip clearance caused by backward movement.

[0122] Also in the figures, a circle drawn around set of bearings and/or the gearbox 30 indicates that the bearings and/or gears within this circle reside within the same bearing chamber. This means they may be provided with oil by the same lubrication system or subsystem.

[0123] Embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed, but could have additional steps not included in the figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination corresponds to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.

[0124] The term “computer readable medium” may represent one or more devices for storing data, including read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, core memory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flash memory devices and/or other machine readable mediums for storing information. The term “computer-readable medium” includes, but is not limited to portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, wireless channels and various other mediums capable of storing, containing or carrying instruction(s) and/or data.

[0125] Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware or microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in a computer readable medium. One or more processors may perform the necessary tasks. A code segment may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.

[0126] It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts described herein. Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.