FR3115072A1 - TURBOMACHINE HOUSING WITH IMPROVED LIQUID SUCTION - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a turbine engine casing (10) configured to contain liquid, comprising, inside the casing, a liquid suction member (12) intended to suck liquid present in the casing under the action of a liquid pumping device. The suction member comprises a pendulum oriented vertically and having two opposite high (12a) and low (12b) ends, the pendulum being mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation (14) linked to the housing (10) and passing through the upper end (12a), the pendulum being shaped to have a center of gravity arranged closer to the lower end (12b) than to the upper end (12a) of the pendulum so as to be able to orient itself vertically by rotation around the axis of rotation (14), under the effect of gravity, when the casing is tilted along a radial angular orientation relative to the axis of rotation of the pendulum, the pendulum comprising a suction point of liquid (12b1) disposed close to the lower end (12b). Figure for abstract: Fig.1

Description

TURBOMACHINE HOUSING WITH IMPROVED LIQUID SUCTION

This presentation relates to a turbomachine casing configured to contain liquid and which comprises a liquid suction member.

In the aeronautics industry, there are turbomachine casings capable of containing a liquid. This liquid, sometimes called working liquid (e.g. oil), is sucked from the crankcase to be transported to a place of use.

These casings can be, for example, tanks, mechanical power transmission boxes, etc.

In aircraft, the orientation of housings configured to contain liquid is generally likely to vary according to the different flight attitudes of the aircraft. For this reason, turbomachine casings are generally equipped with several suction points which are arranged inside these casings so as to be able to suck in liquid for most aircraft flight attitudes and, in particular, for attitudes extremes involving rotational or translational accelerations in multiple directions.

However, the presence of several suction points in a turbomachine casing configured to contain liquid generally requires dedicated pumping at each suction point. Thus, the more liquid suction points there are in the crankcase, the more complex and cumbersome the liquid circuit is due to the various pumping points and pipes that are necessary.

Moreover, as the liquid suction points are generally arranged in such a way as to cover the extreme flight attitudes of the aircraft, the volume of liquid in the casing (retention volume) for intermediate attitudes can be significant. It is therefore necessary to increase the quantity of liquid (e.g. oil) in the crankcase to deal with this situation.

In view of the foregoing, it is proposed to remedy at least one of the drawbacks presented above by means of a turbomachine casing configured to contain liquid and provided with a liquid suction member adapted to overcome the drawbacks described above. -above.

The subject of the invention is thus a turbomachine casing configured to contain liquid, comprising, inside the casing, at least one liquid suction member which is intended to suck in the liquid present in the casing under the action of a liquid pumping device, characterized in that said at least one liquid suction member comprises a pendulum oriented vertically and having two opposite high and low ends, the pendulum being mounted free to rotate about an axis of mainly horizontal rotation linked to the casing and passing through the upper end of the pendulum, the pendulum being shaped to have a center of gravity arranged closer to the lower end than to the upper end of the pendulum so as to be able to orient itself vertically by rotation around the axis of rotation, under the effect of gravity, when the casing is inclined along a radial angular orientation relative to the axis of rotation of the pendulum, the pendulum comprising at least a liquid suction point arranged near the lower end of the pendulum.

This pendulum or pendulum suction member makes it possible, for all flight attitudes of an aircraft comprising such a turbomachine casing, to always have a low suction point in contact with the liquid thanks to the natural orientation of the pendulum under the effect of gravity. This low suction point is therefore naturally placed in the part of the housing where the liquid has also moved under the effect of gravity, when the housing is tilted, in order to be immersed in the liquid. accumulated in this part. The volume of liquid in the housing can therefore be optimized and, therefore, reduced compared to the prior art insofar as the suction member is positioned following the movement of the liquid in the housing. It will be noted that the low suction point is generally arranged close to the bottom of the casing by design, on the one hand, of the arrangement of the suction member in the casing and, on the other hand, of the organ itself. The suction member is mounted "free to rotate" around the axis of rotation in the sense that it is free to rotate around this axis linked to the casing when the latter changes orientation in a plane perpendicular to the axis . The liquid pumping device is generally external to the casing and separate from the latter.

According to other possible characteristics:
-the pendulum is mounted guided in rotation around its axis of rotation;
-the assembly of the pendulum around the axis of rotation includes a sealing device between the axis of rotation and the pendulum;
-the casing comprises a mainly vertical wall from which the axis of rotation of the pendulum extends perpendicularly and away from the wall, the pendulum thus being able to move in rotation around the axis of rotation in a mainly vertical;
- the pendulum comprises an internal liquid suction pipe which extends from said at least one liquid suction point to the upper end of the pendulum, the axis of rotation comprising an internal passage which communicates fluidly with the internal channeling of the pendulum;
-said at least one suction point is arranged at the lower end of the pendulum;
-said at least one suction point comprises at least one suction hole which is formed in a face of the pendulum;
the face of the pendulum in which said at least one suction hole is formed opens out at the lower end of the pendulum opposite the axis of rotation;
-the pendulum comprises a front face, an opposite rear face oriented vis-à-vis the wall of the housing, two opposite side faces and an end face substantially perpendicular to the front, side and rear faces of the pendulum, said at least a suction hole being formed in the front face and/or in one and/or the other of the two opposite side faces and/or in the end face of the pendulum;
the casing comprises a resistive force device which is configured to introduce a mechanical or fluid resistive force during a rotational movement of the pendulum relative to the casing;
-the casing is chosen from among a power transmission box and a tank.

The invention also applies to an aircraft comprising a turbomachine casing configured to contain liquid as briefly described above. Such an aircraft can be an airplane, a helicopter, a multi-rotor machine, a drone….

Other characteristics and advantages of the object of this presentation will emerge from the following description of embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial schematic general view of a pendulum liquid container according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A-2C represent, in enlarged schematic front view, different possible positions of the pendulum of FIG. 1 respectively when the casing is in the normal position, for a first extreme flight attitude and for a second extreme flight attitude;

Figures 3A-3C are enlarged partial schematic sectional views of the assembly of the upper end of the pendulum on the axis of rotation respectively according to three embodiments;

Figures 4A-4C are schematic perspective views respectively of the pendulum of Figure 1, of another configuration of pendulum with front suction hole and of another configuration of pendulum with front suction hole;

Figures 5A-5C are schematic sectional views respectively of the pendulum of Figures 4A-4C;

Figure 6 illustrates a pendulum configuration according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7A-7B are diagrammatic views respectively in perspective and in axial section of a casing of a pendulum turbomachine according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view in axial section of a system with a double turbomachine casing and a double pendulum according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial schematic view in axial section of a suction hole pendulum of improved configuration;

Figure 10 is a schematic front view of another pendulum configuration.

detailed description

As represented in FIG. 1 and designated by the general reference denoted 10, a turbomachine casing configured to contain liquid, in particular a working liquid such as oil, comprises inside this casing a suction member of liquid 12 which comprises a pendulum having a vertical orientation (under the effect of gravity) along a mainly vertical wall 10a, here a rear wall, of the container. It will be noted that the casing or container 10 is here on board an aircraft.

The pendulum-shaped suction member 12 (also called pendular suction member, pendular member or pendulum) has a generally elongated shape and has two opposite ends arranged along its length, namely:
- An upper end 12a which is mounted free to rotate around a substantially or mainly horizontal axis of rotation or pivoting 14 linked to the casing; the axis 14 is here more particularly linked to the wall 10a and extends substantially or mainly perpendicular to the latter and away from it;
- And a lower opposite end 12b which is arranged close to a wall 10b of the casing, adjacent to the bottom wall 10a and which is here perpendicular to the latter. At least one suction point 12b1 (fig. 1) is arranged in the lower part of the pendulum, close to the lower end 12b, here at the lower end itself, in order to be able to suck up liquid present in the casing when this suction point is immersed in the liquid.

The wall 10b is here a lower wall of the casing which is arranged facing an upper wall 10c also arranged adjacent to the bottom wall 10a and at a distance from the lower wall 10b so as to define between the lower walls 10b and greater than 10c the height of the casing. A not shown front wall of the housing has been omitted for clarity. The lower wall 10b has a generally curved shape (just like the upper wall 10c) which, in FIGS. 1 and 2A, takes on the appearance of a basin whose bottom or lowest part is that near which the the lower end 12b of the pendulum is naturally arranged in this position/orientation of the casing. For another position/orientation of the casing, as will be seen in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the lower end 12b of the pendulum is arranged close to another part of the lower wall 10b.

The pendulum 12 has a conformation such that its center of gravity is arranged in the lower part of the pendulum, at a distance from the upper end 12a and, more particularly, closer to the lower end 12b than to the upper end of the pendulum. As represented in FIGS. 2A-C, the pendulum 12 here has a cross-section which widens in the direction of the lower end 12b in order to concentrate the greater part of the mass of the pendulum towards its lower part, which will naturally favor the vertical orientation of the pendulum under the effect of gravity. The part of the pendulum 12 which is located below the upper end 12a (in the form of a hub) and which extends as far as the lower end 12b has a substantially trapezoidal shape in front view (as in FIG. 2A ). Generally, the pendulum must be as light as possible in order to limit the mass on board the aircraft as much as possible. The pendulum 12 has for example here the general shape of a keyhole but the shape of the contour of the pendulum can of course vary as will be seen later.

In general, the pendulum 12 which is able to pivot freely around the axis of rotation 14 fixed to the casing 10 and to move substantially or mainly parallel to the wall 10a (here vertical) can adopt the different positions illustrated in the figures. 2A-C according to the different positions/orientations adopted by the casing according to the different flight attitudes of the aircraft.

The bottom wall 10b of the casing has a generally concave shape (eg bowl-shaped) which makes it possible to reduce the volume of liquid present in the casing compared to a flat bottom. Furthermore, the configuration of the pendulum 12, in particular its length, the position of the pendulum 12 with respect to the axis of rotation 14 and the different rotational positions that it can adopt according to the different movements of the casing are defined jointly with the shape of the lower wall 10b so that the lower end 12b of the pendulum can freely move close to this wall during the various movements, remaining as close as possible to it in order to be able to suck up liquid, through the point(s) low suction of the pendulum, even if the volume of the liquid in the crankcase is relatively small. It will be noted that the amplitude of rotation/pivoting of the pendulum 12 is limited, on the one hand, by the various flight attitudes of the aircraft which result in movements of limited amplitude of the casing and, on the other hand, by the internal dimensions of the housing. The pendulum 12 can of course be arranged in a part of the casing where the internal size offers a greater amplitude of angular movement.

Thus, FIG. 2A represents the casing 10 in the normal flight position with the pendulum 12 in the normal position denoted '12(PN)' and oriented vertically plumb with the axis of rotation 14, under the effect of its own weight (gravity). The other positions of the pendulum which are used in FIGS. 2B and 2C are also represented for the sake of comparison in order to appreciate the angular amplitude of movement possible with respect to the internal environment of the housing.

In FIG. 2B, the container 10 has changed orientation following a change in flight attitude of the aircraft, for example following an inclination to make a turn. In this extreme flight attitude position denoted PE1 where the casing 10 has tilted to the right of the figure, the pendulum 12 is always oriented vertically plumb with the axis of rotation 14, under the effect of gravity (following a suitable rotation around the axis 14), but it adopts the position denoted '12 (PE1)' with respect to the casing.

Similarly, when the casing 10 changes orientation and tilts to the left as indicated in FIG. 2C, following an opposite extreme position of flight attitude of the aircraft denoted PE2, the pendulum 12 adopts the position denoted ' 12(PE2)' relative to the housing, again by natural orientation of the pendulum under the effect of gravity and by rotation around axis 14.

As already mentioned above, the lower end 12b of the pendulum 12 moves along the concave lower wall 10b according to the changes in orientation/angular position of the casing. This allows the lower end 12b to remain over time as close as possible to the lower wall 10b and therefore to increase the probability of remaining immersed in the liquid present in the casing and which, too, follows the movements of the last.

As shown in Figure 1, the pendulum 12 includes an internal suction pipe 12c which extends over almost the entire length of the pendulum, from the lower end 12b provided with its low suction point 12b1 to at the upper end 12a of the pendulum, where the latter is pivotally mounted around the axis of rotation 14. The axis of rotation 14, also hollow, comprises an internal passage 14a which, although this is not shown in Figure 1, communicates fluidly with the internal suction pipe 12c of the pendulum (this arrangement will however be illustrated in other figures described later). The internal suction pipe 12c emerges here in the lower part, at the level of the suction hole 12b1 but it can alternatively emerge laterally with respect to the lower end 12b. The shape of the internal suction pipe 12c can be adapted so as to facilitate the flow of liquid according to the geometries of the surrounding parts. It should be noted that a strainer can be added to the pendulum if filtration proves necessary.

In the present embodiment, the housing 10 has a suction line 16 fixed to the bottom wall 10a and which runs along the latter from an end 16a fixed to the axis of rotation 14. inside the suction pipe 16 thus communicates with the internal passage 14a of the axis of rotation 14. A suction device (not shown) separate from the housing such as a liquid pumping device (eg pump) is for example connected to an opposite end, not shown, of the suction pipe 16 in order to suck up/take off the liquid present in the casing via the intermediary respectively of the suction hole 12b1, of the internal pipe 12c, of the internal passage 14a and suction line 16.

Figures 3A-C illustrate three possible mounting configurations of the pendulum 12 around the axis of rotation 14, allowing the pendulum to be mounted guided in rotation around the axis, while achieving a seal between this axis and the pendulum . Other sealing devices not shown can be used alternatively. In general, the technological choices for carrying out these guiding and sealing functions depend on the application and its specificities: available space, target lifetime, temperatures, tilting speed, etc. Before describing the examples in figures 3A- C, it will be noted that, in general, the function of guiding in rotation can be performed by bearings, plain bearings or simple sliding centerings. Similarly, the sealing function can be performed by lip seals which may or may not be integrated into bearings, by O-rings or labyrinths.

FIG. 3A illustrates a first embodiment in which the upper end 12a of the pendulum is pierced through its thickness and is fitted onto the axis of rotation 14 until it comes into abutment against a radial shoulder 14b of this axis, located at a first end of the latter. This shoulder can be part of the casing, in particular of the wall 10a. A stop ring 14c is for example mounted radially around the second opposite end of the shaft 14 to ensure the rotational guidance of the upper end 12a and to wedge the latter axially (in order to prevent its exit from the axis 14). A sealing device is provided between the upper end 12a and the axis of rotation 14 in the form of two O-rings J1, J2 arranged around the axis 14 and at a distance from each other. More particularly, the upper end 12a has the shape of a hub which comprises two annular internal grooves 12a1, 12a2 spaced apart arranged on the internal face of the hub facing the axis 14, in the extension of the wall of the pendulum which surrounds the internal pipe 12c (on either side of the latter in FIG. 3A). The two O-rings J1, J2 are placed in the two respective grooves 12a1, 12a2 in order to ensure the tightness of the pendulum-axis of rotation assembly when liquid circulates in the pendulum during suction and this, despite the movements of possible rotation of the pendulum relative to the axis 14 (and to the housing). As shown in FIG. 3A, two diametrically opposed radial openings O1, O2 are made in the wall of the axis of rotation in order to place the inside of the axis in communication with the internal pipe 12c.

Figure 3B illustrates a second embodiment for the connection between the pendulum and the casing in which the axis of rotation 14 has not changed but the configuration of the upper end 12a' of the pendulum 12' has been modified. The two internal annular grooves in FIG. 3A have been replaced by two friction rings B1, B2 interposed between the external surface of the pin 14 and the internal surface of the upper end 12a' in the shape of a hub. The two rings B1, B2 are both provided with an external shoulder located outside the top end 12a', between the shoulder 14b and the top end 12a' for the ring B1 and, between the ring 14c and the upper end 12a' for ring B2.

Figure 3C illustrates a third embodiment for the connection between the pendulum and the casing in which the configuration of the axis of rotation 14' and the upper end 12a' of the pendulum 12' of Figure 3B have been modified. More particularly, the two rings B1, B2 of FIG. 3B have been replaced by two sealed bearings R1, R2 and the stop ring 14c has been replaced by a nut 14c'. The 14' axis of rotation has been modified to incorporate at its end the thread required for the 14c' nut and the upper 12a' end now incorporates two internal shoulders to ensure the axial stop of the outer rings of the bearings.

Figures 4A-C illustrate three possible pendulum configurations and Figures 5A-C illustrate, through longitudinal sections, the three corresponding internal configurations of the same pendulum.

The pendulum of FIGS. 4A and 5A is that already described with reference to the preceding figures. It has a single suction point formed by a suction hole 12b1 located at the lower end 12b, in the extension of the internal pipe 12c and communicates with it. As will be seen below, the position and number of suction points or holes may vary.

In general, the pendulum 12 may have several faces, one of which, called the rear, which is oriented opposite the wall 10a of the container where the axis of rotation is fixed. The suction point(s) or hole(s) with which the pendulum is provided are not provided on this rear face (12d in FIG. 1) because of its excessive proximity to the wall 10a which would be detrimental to effective suction of liquid. The pendulum comprises, for example, a front face 12e, opposite the rear face 12d, two opposite side faces 12f, 12g, as well as an end face 12h substantially perpendicular to the other faces and located at the lower end 12b.

In the example of Figures 4A and 5A, the suction point or hole 12b1 is formed in the end face 12h and is thus directed towards the lower wall 10b (fig.1).

In the example of Figures 4B and 5B, the pendulum 12'' has a single suction point formed by a suction hole 12b1'' located in the front face 12e'', close to the lower end 12b' '(the suction hole 12b1'' thus opens outwardly into the front face 12e'', opposite the axis of rotation 14). This suction hole 12b1'' opens internally on the internal pipe 12c'' (fig. 5B) with which it communicates fluidly.

In the example of FIGS. 4C and 5C, the pendulum 12''' comprises three suction points or holes 12b1''', 12b2''', 12b3''' formed respectively in the front faces 12e''' and the opposite side faces 12f''', 12g''' close to the lower end 12b'''. Each hole opens internally on the internal pipe 12c''' (fig. 5C) with which it communicates fluidly.

It will be noted that other arrangements of suction holes are alternatively possible, in particular with a number, shapes and different dimensions. The suction hole(s) or orifice(s) may also differ in combination with a change in the shape of the pendulum.

According to a variant embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the pendulum 12'' of FIGS. 4B and 5B further comprises a resistive force device which is configured to introduce a fluid resistive force during a rotational movement of the pendulum relative to the crankcase. Such a device makes it possible to avoid pendulum phenomena in the event of strong acceleration or in the event of excitation phenomena by introducing a resistive force which, here, is generated by a fluid friction between the liquid (ex: oil) of the housing and the pendulum during the movement of the latter, which will slow down the pendulum.

This device here takes the form of a longitudinal rib 12i'' arranged on the front face 12e''' above the suction hole 12b1'' and in alignment with the longitudinal extension of the pendulum. The two large opposite faces of the rib extend in a vertical plane containing the direction of the axis of rotation of the pendulum. Another configuration or form of pendulum adapted to slow down its movement in the liquid can alternatively be used.

As a variant not shown, a mechanical resistive force device, that is to say which is capable of generating a mechanical resistive force for braking the rotational movement of the pendulum in the mechanical pendulum-axis of rotation assembly, can be considered. They may for example be O-rings such as those in FIG. 3A or another type of mechanical device which is capable of generating mechanical friction during the rotational movement of the pendulum.

The housing 10 is for example here a power transmission box which comprises various gears E1 to E4 engaged in mechanical cooperation with each other, as shown in Figures 1 and 2A-C and which are here each capable of rotating around an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the pendulum. It will be noted that, in the example shown in the figures, the pendulum 12 is arranged between two consecutive gears E2 and E3 and the possible angular amplitude of its movement is limited by the two axes on which these two gears are rotatably mounted, as the two extreme positions '12(PE2)' and '12(PE1) of FIG. 2A illustrate this. The power transmission box 10 has in front view (partly shown in Figure 2A) a general shape of banana or bean well known from the prior art.

The turbomachine casing may be a liquid reservoir 20 according to another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

The pendular suction member or pendulum 12 is identical to that of FIG. 1 for the sake of simplicity, but its shape can of course vary. The various configurations described above also apply to tank 20 except in the event of incompatibility, in particular due to differences in the shape of the casings. The reservoir here has the general shape of a disc, the bottom wall 20a of which, here circular, is the one which includes the axis of rotation 14 and against which the pendulum 12 is mounted for rotation around this axis. The tank 20 comprises a wall 20b adjacent to the bottom wall 20a and which extends peripherally relative to the latter, here in the form of an annular band. The front wall 20c of the reservoir opposite the bottom wall 20a is for example represented in the form of a transparent wall although it may be opaque or partly transparent.

As shown in the axial sectional view of Figure 7B passing through the axis of rotation 14, an external suction line 22 extends against the external face of the bottom wall 20a (external to the tank) along that -this. The axis of rotation 14 passes through this wall so as to place the interior of the pendulum 12 (internal pipe 12c) in communication with the interior of the suction pipe 22 via the interior passage 14a.

FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment in which a system 30 is formed by two turbomachine casings each configured to contain liquid with a pendulum or pendulum suction member in each of them (system with double pendulum).

More particularly, the system 30 comprises the casing 10 with the pendulum 12 of FIG. 1 (oil transmission casing) and the casing 20 with the pendulum 12 of FIGS. through a common wall 32. The two pendulums 12 present in the two casings are both rotatably mounted on the same axis of rotation 34 passing through the thickness of the common bottom wall 32 to which it is fixed and are thus arranged facing each other, on either side of the wall 32. The axis of rotation 34 is traversed by an internal passage which is separated into two portions 34a, 34b by a central separating partition 34c.

Two suction pipes 36, 38 fixed respectively to the two opposite faces of the common bottom wall 32 each communicate with an internal passage portion 34a, 34b of the axis of rotation 34 which, itself, communicates with the internal pipe of the pendulum concerned.

In the present embodiment, the pendulum 12 on the left draws in oil which is present in the sump 10 and the pendulum 12 on the right sucks in the oil which is present in the sump 20 (reservoir) to convey it to to a lubrication system. More particularly, the oil sucked into the casing 10 by the pendulum 12 on the left, circulates in the pipe 36, then in a pump and an exchanger, not shown, arranged downstream of the pipe 36, before being introduced into the tank. 20. The oil from reservoir 20 is then sucked up by pendulum 12 on the right, circulates in line 38, then in a pump and an oil injector arranged downstream of line 38 before being injected into crankcase 10 Thus, a first pump stage sucks the oil in the sump 10 and injects it into the reservoir 20 and a second pump stage sucks the oil into the reservoir 20 and injects it into the sump 10. cooling may be present in the loop to evacuate the calories.

Figure 9 illustrates a possible configuration of a suction hole t1 formed in the end face of the pendulum such as that of Figures 4A-5A. The suction hole t1 presents here, according to a view in longitudinal section, a general shape flared from the internal pipe 12c of the pendulum towards the outside of the latter. More particularly, the flared general shape may comprise a flared conical portion t11 which connects the hole to the internal pipe 12c, then a rounded end portion t12 which joins the end face of the pendulum, where the hole opens onto the outside of the pendulum. It will be noted that the angle and the length of the conical portion t11 as well as the value of the radius of the rounded terminal portion t12 can be adapted according to requirements. The shape of the suction hole described above favors the collection of oil by the pendulum by allowing a better flow of oil thanks to the shapes of the portions t11 and t12. The shape described can also be applied in whole or in part to other pendulums on which the suction hole or holes are arranged differently.

Figure 10 illustrates a possible configuration of a pendulum P having a refined shape compared to the pendulums of the previous figures in order to reduce the on-board mass. Everything that has been described above with respect to the other pendulums can also be applied to the pendulum of Figure 10 and vice versa.

The pendulum P comprises two opposite ends Pa (high) and Pb (low) connected to each other by a body Pc. The upper end Pa is mounted articulated around an axis, not shown, like the pendulum 12 in FIG. 1. The body Pc comprises an internal pipe c like the pipe 12c of the pendulum 12 in FIG. suction t2 which is similar to hole 12b1 (it will be noted however that the hole can take the form of hole t1 of FIG. 9 and/or that other suction holes can be arranged in the lower end Pb).

The particularity of the pendulum P lies in the fact that it is thinner compared to the previous pendulums, in particular at its high end Pa and at the level of its body Pc. On the other hand, the lower end Pb forms a massive protrusion relative to the rest of the pendulum, thus concentrating a large part of the weight of the pendulum in the lower part. The lower end Pb here has an end face (face where the suction hole opens) of convex surface which globally matches the shape of the bottom of the housing (it should be noted that the pendulums of the preceding figures can alternatively have such a face d 'end). More particularly, the lower end Pb may have a flared shape towards the end face. The lower end Pb has for example the shape of an angular sector in a longitudinal section view.

By way of example, the aircraft comprising any one of the casings described above is an airplane. Alternatively, it can be a helicopter. On a helicopter, one of the casings with a pendular suction member according to any one of the embodiments described above can be applied to a reduction gear such as that located between the turbine and the main gearbox.

In general, a turbomachine casing with a pendulum or pendulum suction member according to the invention (the pendulum is mounted to rotate freely around a rotation axis fixed to the casing so as to orient itself naturally by gravity while rotating around the axis, thanks to the offset towards the lower part of the pendulum of its center of gravity, so that the low suction/withdrawal point(s) of this pendulum can always be arranged in the part of the housing where the liquid is located) allows to reduce the number of pumping points necessary to suck up the liquid whatever the flight attitude of the aircraft. The pumping device needed to suck up the liquid is therefore lighter and more compact.

Furthermore, the volume of liquid retained in the housing can be reduced as explained above since the pendulum is naturally positioned vertically under the action of gravity, with the low suction point or points of this pendulum in crankcase fluid. This thus makes it possible to obtain a reduction in the aging of the working liquid (e.g. oil) and to reduce the size of the crankcase, in particular of the tank.

Claims (12)

Turbomachine casing (10) configured to contain liquid, comprising, inside the casing (10), at least one liquid suction member (12) which is intended to suck liquid present in the casing under the action of a liquid pumping device, characterized in that said at least one liquid suction member comprises a pendulum oriented vertically and having two opposite high (12a) and low (12b) ends, the pendulum being mounted free in rotation around a mainly horizontal axis of rotation (14) linked to the housing (10) and passing through the upper end (12a) of the pendulum, the pendulum being shaped to have a center of gravity located closer to the lower end (12b) than the upper end (12a) of the pendulum so as to be able to orient itself vertically by rotation around the axis of rotation (14), under the effect of gravity, when the casing is inclined along a radial angular orientation relative to the axis of rotation of the pendulum, the pe ndule comprising at least one liquid suction point (12b1; 12b1''; 12b1''', 12b2''', 12b3''') arranged near the lower end (12b) of the pendulum. Turbomachine casing (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the pendulum (12) is mounted guided in rotation around its axis of rotation (14). Turbomachine casing (10) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the assembly of the pendulum around the axis of rotation includes a sealing device (J1, J2; B1, B2; R1, R2) between the axis of rotation (14) and the pendulum (12). Turbomachine casing (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the casing comprises a mainly vertical wall (10a) from which the axis of rotation (14) of the pendulum extends perpendicularly and in away from the wall, the pendulum thus being able to move in rotation around the axis of rotation in a mainly vertical manner. Turbomachine casing (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pendulum comprises an internal liquid suction pipe (12c) which extends from the said at least one liquid suction point ( 12b1; 12b1''; 12b1''', 12b2''', 12b3''') up to the upper end (12a) of the pendulum, the axis of rotation (14) comprising an internal passage (14a) which communicates fluidly with the internal pipeline of the pendulum (12c). Turbomachine casing (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the said at least one suction point (12b1; 12b1''; 12b1''', 12b2''', 12b3''') is disposed at the lower end (12b) of the pendulum. Turbomachine casing (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the said at least one suction point (12b1; 12b1''; 12b1''', 12b2''', 12b3''') includes at least one suction hole which is formed in a face of the pendulum. Turbomachine casing (10) according to Claims 4 and 7, characterized in that the face of the pendulum in which the said at least one suction hole is formed opens out at the lower end of the pendulum opposite the axis of rotating (14) . Turbomachine casing (10) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the pendulum comprises a front face (12e), an opposite rear face (12d) oriented opposite the wall (10a) of the container, two faces opposite sides (12f, 12g) and an end face (12h) substantially perpendicular to the front, side and rear faces of the pendulum, said at least one suction hole (12b1; 12b1''; 12b1''', 12b2' '', 12b3''') being formed in the front face and/or in one and/or the other of the two opposite side faces and/or in the end face of the pendulum. Turbomachine casing (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a resistive force device (12i'') which is configured to introduce a mechanical or fluid resistive force during a movement rotation of the pendulum relative to the housing. Turbomachine casing (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the casing is chosen from among a power transmission casing (10) and a tank (20). Aircraft, characterized in that it comprises a turbomachine casing (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 11.