Aft-Mounted Electric Machine Layout in Reverse-Flow Gas Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engines with reverse flow configurations face challenges in integrating auxiliary components like electric machines efficiently, particularly due to space constraints and heat management issues.
Innovation Solution
The electric machine is positioned aft of the core turbine engine, rotatingly coupled to the low-pressure shaft, allowing for heat exchange with the intake air flow through a non-annular to annular intake channel design, enabling tighter packaging and effective cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the electric machine is integrated into the reverse flow gas turbine engine, then the engine can provide supplemental power and thrust capabilities, but space constraints and heat management issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The electric machine is positioned aft of the core turbine engine and nested within the engine structure, utilizing the existing engine volume rather than adding external components. This nesting approach allows the electric machine to be integrated into the available space without significantly increasing the overall engine footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric machine is arranged in a different spatial dimension relative to the core turbine engine, positioned aft and utilizing the axial length of the engine rather than competing for radial or circumferential space. This dimensional arrangement optimizes space utilization.
2Power
If the electric machine is integrated into the reverse flow gas turbine engine, then the engine can provide supplemental power and thrust capabilities, but heat management issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The hot exhaust gases from the turbine engine, which represent a thermal challenge, are converted into a beneficial cooling resource for the electric machine. The exhaust flow is directed to provide cooling to the electric machine, transforming the heat management problem into a useful thermal exchange that enables the integration of the electric machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust gas flow acts as an intermediary thermal medium between the hot turbine section and the electric machine, facilitating heat transfer from the exhaust to the electric machine for cooling purposes. This intermediary approach enables effective thermal management.
3Temperature
If a non-annular to annular intake channel design is used, then heat exchange between intake air flow and electric machine is enabled, but the intake channel design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The intake channel design transitions dynamically from a non-annular configuration at the inlet to an annular configuration at the outlet, adapting the flow path geometry to optimize both heat exchange capability and flow distribution. This dynamic geometric transformation enables the channel to serve multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The intake channel geometry parameters are changed along its length, transitioning from non-annular to annular cross-section to optimize heat exchange surface area and flow distribution. This parameter variation enables effective thermal coupling between the intake air and electric machine.
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 configuration enhances the electric machine's operational efficiency by facilitating heat transfer and reducing packaging constraints, while providing supplemental power and thrust capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchange with the intake air flow through a non-annular to annular intake channel design
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange with the intake air flow through a non-annular to annular intake channel design
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft engine assembly includes a gas turbine engine having an intake channel configured to receive an incoming flow of air and thereby form an intake flow of air, the intake channel configured to turn the received incoming flow of air from an incoming flow direction to a first axial direction of the gas turbine engine, the incoming flow direction reverse of the first axial direction, and an electric machine coupled with the low pressure shaft and located at the aft end of the gas turbine engine proximate the intake channel, the electric machine in heat exchange communication with the intake flow of air such that the electric machine transfers heat to the incoming flow of air within the intake channel when the electric machine is operated.