Multiple reservoir lubrication system

Abstract

A lubrication system for use with a gas turbine engine includes a first reservoir for containing a lubricant. The first reservoir includes a first discharge passage through which the lubricant is flowable in a first direction. A second reservoir contains the lubricant. The second reservoir includes a second discharge passage through which the lubricant is flowable in a second direction. The first direction is generally opposite to the second direction. A first pump pumps the lubricant from the first reservoir. A second pump pumps the lubricant from the second reservoir. A manifold distributes the lubricant to a component. The lubricant from the first pump and the second pump flows into the manifold and exits the manifold through a manifold discharge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lubrication system for use with a gas turbine engine comprising:
 a first reservoir for containing a lubricant, wherein the first reservoir includes a first discharge passage through which the lubricant is flowable in a first direction;   a second reservoir for containing the lubricant, wherein the second reservoir includes a second discharge passage through which the lubricant is flowable in a second direction, wherein the first direction is generally opposite to the second direction;   a first pump that pumps the lubricant from the first reservoir;   a second pump that pumps the lubricant from the second reservoir; and   a manifold to distribute the lubricant to a component, wherein the lubricant from the first pump and the second pump flows into the manifold and exits the manifold through a manifold discharge.   
     
     
         2 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the component is a bearing. 
     
     
         3 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the component is a fan journal bearing of a gas turbine engine. 
     
     
         4 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first direction is substantially upwardly and the second direction is substantially downwardly. 
     
     
         5 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 1  wherein an output of each of the first pump and the second pump is greater than a lubrication requirement of the component. 
     
     
         6 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the lubricant flows directly from the manifold discharge of the manifold to the component. 
     
     
         7 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 1  including a valve, wherein the lubricant flows from the manifold discharge of the manifold to the valve. 
     
     
         8 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 7  wherein the valve is a relief valve. 
     
     
         9 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 8  wherein the valve directs a portion of the lubricant to the component and a remainder of the lubricant to at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir. 
     
     
         10 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 8  wherein the valve closes if one of the first reservoir or the second reservoir is empty. 
     
     
         11 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 7  wherein the valve is a control valve, and the lubrication system includes a sensor associated with each of the first reservoir and the second reservoir that detects an amount of the lubricant in each of the first reservoir and the second reservoir, and the control valve directs the lubricant to the one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir if one of the sensors detects that the one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir is depleted of the lubricant. 
     
     
         12 . A lubrication system for use with a gas turbine engine comprising:
 a first reservoir for containing a lubricant, wherein the first reservoir includes a first discharge passage through which the lubricant is flowable in a first direction;   a second reservoir for containing a lubricant, wherein the second reservoir includes a second discharge passage through which the lubricant is flowable in a second direction, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction;   a first pump that pumps the lubricant from the first reservoir;   a second pump that pumps the lubricant from the second reservoir;   a manifold to distribute the lubricant to a bearing, wherein the lubricant from the first pump and the second pump flows into the manifold and exits the manifold through a manifold discharge; and   a valve, wherein the lubricant flows from the manifold discharge of the manifold to the valve.   
     
     
         13 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 12  wherein the component is a fan journal bearing of a gas turbine engine. 
     
     
         14 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 12  wherein the first direction is substantially upwardly and the second direction is substantially downwardly. 
     
     
         15 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 12  wherein an output of each of the first pump and the second pump is greater than a lubrication requirement of the component. 
     
     
         16 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 12  wherein the valve is a relief valve. 
     
     
         17 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 16  wherein the valve directs a portion of the lubricant to the component and a remainder of the lubricant to at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir. 
     
     
         18 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 16  wherein the valve closes if one of the first reservoir or the second reservoir is empty. 
     
     
         19 . The lubrication system as recited in  claim 16  wherein the valve is a control valve, and the lubrication system includes a sensor associated with each of the first reservoir and the second reservoir that detects an amount of the lubricant in each of the first reservoir and the second reservoir, and the control valve directs the lubricant to the one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir if one of the sensors detects that the one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir is depleted of the lubricant.