Aft-Mounted Electric Machine for Hybrid Gas Turbine Servicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engines face challenges in efficiently integrating electric machines due to packaging limitations, which complicate removal, analysis, maintenance, and servicing, particularly in hybrid configurations.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid electric gas turbine engine design with an aft-mounted electric machine assembly that facilitates easy removal, analysis, and maintenance by positioning the electric machine aft of the core air flowpath exhaust, allowing for flexible couplings and seals to accommodate temperature variations and misalignments, and enabling efficient power transfer between the turbomachine and electric machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electric machine is integrated within the core air flowpath structure, then the packaging efficiency is improved, but the ease of removal and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The propulsion system is divided into separate modules: the gas turbine engine core and the electric machine assembly. The electric machine is positioned in a separate aft location rather than being integrated within the core structure, allowing it to be independently removed and serviced without disassembling the main engine core.
2Ease of repair
If the electric machine is positioned aft of the core air flowpath exhaust, then the ease of maintenance is improved, but the device complexity increases due to flexible couplings and seals
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism incorporates flexibility to accommodate thermal expansion and misalignment. The seal system is designed to maintain fluid-tight connections while allowing for relative movement and temperature variations between the engine core and electric machine assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible couplings are used to accommodate temperature variations, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt to changing operating conditions. The flexible coupling accommodates thermal expansion and misalignment through its inherent compliance, reducing the need for extremely tight manufacturing tolerances while maintaining reliable power transfer.
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
The design allows for seamless integration and servicing of the electric machine, enhancing operational efficiency and ease of maintenance while maintaining fluid-tight seals and accommodating temperature changes, thus improving overall engine performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
flexible couplings and seals to accommodate temperature variations
Implementation Method 2
flexible couplings and seals to accommodate temperature variations
Data Source
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AI summary
A hybrid electric gas turbine engine (10) is provided. The hybrid electric gas turbine engine (10) includes: a turbomachine (16) having a compressor section (22, 24) and a turbine section (28, 30) arranged in serial flow order, the compressor section (22, 24) and turbine section (28, 30) together defining a core air flowpath, the turbomachine (16) defining a core air flowpath exhaust; and an electric machine assembly (200) comprising an electric machine (201) disposed aft of the core air flowpath exhaust and connected to the turbine section (22, 24).