Aircraft Turbine Air Intake Duct Guiding Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft turbine engine air intake ducts with significant deflections experience airflow distortions due to boundary layer shedding, leading to performance and operability issues, with existing solutions like vortex generators being ineffective or complex.
Innovation Solution
An air intake duct with a guiding element having transverse end profiles that produce eddies to redirect and energize the airflow, reducing shedding and distortion while maintaining efficiency and operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the air intake duct has a complex shape to accommodate offset axes, then the duct can connect the air intake to the gas generator, but the complex shape causes significant deflection of air flow leading to boundary layer shedding and flow distortion
Solution Approach 1:
A guiding element is introduced as an intermediary component within the air intake duct to mediate the flow through the deflected section. This guiding element with transverse end profiles creates eddies that prevent boundary layer shedding, allowing the duct to maintain its complex offset configuration while preserving flow stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If vortex generators are added to energize the boundary layer and reduce shedding, then flow stability improves, but the device complexity increases and the solution is not effective enough for wide-opening ducts
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using conventional vortex generators throughout the duct, the invention applies a specific guiding element with transverse end profiles at the critical deflection location. This localized approach with non-zero angled end profiles produces eddies precisely where needed to prevent shedding, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effectiveness in wide-opening ducts.
3Stability of the object's composition
If active control systems with suction or blowing are used to control shedding, then flow distortion is reduced, but the system complexity increases and requires additional components in the nacelle
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding element with transverse end profiles creates eddies that automatically energize the boundary layer and prevent shedding through passive geometric features. The non-zero angles of the end profiles with respect to the flow direction generate the necessary disturbances without requiring external power sources, suction systems, or blowing apparatus, thereby eliminating the need for complex active control infrastructure in the nacelle.
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 solution effectively reduces airflow shedding and distortion in the compressor region, enhancing the performance and operability of the turbine engine by directing and energizing the fluid flow using a guiding element with aerodynamic end profiles.
Implementation Method 1
said two end profiles being able to produce eddies in the air flow
Implementation Method 2
deflection that may cause shedding of the boundary layer formed by air flow along the wall of the duct
Data Source
AI summary
Air intake duct for supplying air to a turbine engine gas generator, in particular an aircraft turbine engine, extending axially between the air intake and the gas generator and having a deflection which may cause shedding of the boundary layer formed by the air flow along the wall of the duct, wherein said air intake duct comprises a guiding element located in the duct and designed to guide the air along the wall of the duct to a portion having the deflection, said guiding element extending transversely to the direction of the flow of air and having at the ends thereof two end profiles that form a non-zero angle with the guiding element, said two end profiles being able to produce eddies in the air flow.