Adjustable Combustor Swirler for Stable Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combustors in gas turbines face challenges in maintaining a stable central recirculation zone (CRZ) for efficient combustion, as the swirling strength is not easily controllable based on engine operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A combustor design featuring a support shaft with a wing portion for swirling a first fluid, a cover housing with a space enlarging portion that extends at a predetermined angle, and fluid and fuel injection holes at different angles to enhance mixing and recirculation, allowing for adjustable swirling and improved fuel-air mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-shape swirler is used to generate swirl, then the swirling strength is determined by the swirler shape, but the swirling strength cannot be controlled according to engine operating environment and driving condition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the swirler adjustable rather than fixed. The swirler includes multiple blades that can be rotated to different angular positions, allowing the swirling strength to be dynamically controlled according to engine operating conditions. This transforms a static structure into a dynamic one that can adapt to varying requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the angular position of the swirler blades to control the swirling strength. By changing the geometric parameter (blade angle) of the swirler, the system can adjust the swirl intensity to match different engine operating environments and driving conditions, directly addressing the adaptability issue.
2Reliability
If the CRZ is not properly maintained, then combustion continuity is compromised, but achieving proper CRZ requires precise control of swirling flow
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable swirler allows dynamic control of the flow characteristics to maintain the central recirculation zone (CRZ) under varying operating conditions. By adjusting the blade angles, the system can ensure proper CRZ formation and stability, thereby maintaining combustion continuity without requiring complex external control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The swirler design enables the system to self-regulate the flow patterns needed for CRZ maintenance. The adjustable blades allow the system to automatically adapt to different operating conditions, creating and maintaining the necessary recirculation zone without requiring external intervention or complex control mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances combustion efficiency by creating a stable recirculation zone and uniform mixing of fuel and air, reducing incomplete combustion and improving overall gas turbine performance.
Implementation Method 1
a wing portion provided on the support shaft and configured to swirl a first fluid around the support shaft
Implementation Method 2
a fluid injection hole configured to inject a second fluid at a first angle with respect to a flow direction of the first fluid
Implementation Method 3
a fuel injection hole configured to inject a fuel at a second angle with respect to a flow direction of the first fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a combustor including a support shaft, a wing portion provided on the support shaft and configured to swirl a first fluid around the support shaft, and a cover housing enclosing the support shaft and the wing portion and includes a space enlarging portion provided at a downstream of of the wing portion, where a distance of the space enlarging portion from an outer surface of the support shaft is different from distances of other portions of the cover housing from the outer surface of the support shaft.