Aft-Mounted Electric Machine Assembly for Turbine Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engines face challenges in efficiently integrating electric machines due to packaging limitations, which complicates removal, analysis, and maintenance of these components.
Innovation Solution
An aft-mounted electric machine assembly is positioned aft of the core air flowpath exhaust, allowing for easy removal and maintenance, and includes flexible couplings and seals to accommodate temperature variations and misalignments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If electric machines are integrated within the gas turbine engine core structure, then the engine achieves compact packaging, but removal and maintenance of electric machine components becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The electric machine assembly is segmented into distinct modular components including the electric machine, coupling mechanism, and mounting structure. This segmentation allows the electric machine to be removed as a separate unit from the gas turbine engine without requiring disassembly of the entire engine structure, thus maintaining compact integration while enabling easy maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric machine is extracted from the core engine structure and positioned in a separate assembly location. The coupling mechanism enables the electric machine to be disconnected and removed from the gas turbine engine, facilitating simplified maintenance while preserving the integrated design during operation.
2Power
If rigid couplings are used to connect the electric machine to the gas turbine shaft, then mechanical power transmission is efficient, but misalignment and temperature variations cause operational issues
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism incorporates dynamic elements that allow for relative movement and adjustment between the electric machine and gas turbine shaft. This dynamic coupling accommodates thermal expansion and misalignment while maintaining effective power transmission, resolving the contradiction between rigid power transfer and alignment stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is designed to accommodate parameter changes in the system, including temperature variations and positional misalignments. By allowing controlled changes in coupling geometry and position, the system maintains reliable operation despite environmental and operational variations while preserving power transmission efficiency.
3Volume of moving object
If the electric machine is positioned within the core air flowpath, then packaging is optimized, but access for maintenance and alignment adjustments becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electric machine assembly is positioned in a location that provides access from a different dimension or direction compared to traditional in-line configurations. This spatial arrangement allows maintenance personnel to access the electric machine and perform alignment adjustments without interfering with the core air flowpath, optimizing both packaging and maintainability.
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid electric gas turbine engine is provided. The hybrid electric gas turbine engine includes: a turbomachine having a compressor section and a turbine section arranged in serial flow order, the compressor section and turbine section together defining a core air flowpath, the turbomachine defining a core air flowpath exhaust; and an electric machine assembly having an electric machine disposed aft of the core air flowpath exhaust and mechanically connected to the turbine section.