Gas Turbine Airfoil Deicing via Acoustic Drivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines operating in icing conditions face issues with ice accumulation on rotating airfoils, leading to imbalances and vibrations due to asymmetric ice shedding, causing passenger discomfort and noise.
Innovation Solution
A deicing system that applies acoustic energy to airfoils using acoustic drivers, triggered by vibration, ice detection, or temperature sensors, to excite specific vibratory modes and shed ice, while also utilizing bleed air to minimize ice formation at the airfoil base.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ice accumulates on rotating airfoils during operation, then the airfoil surfaces become contaminated with ice mass, but this causes imbalances and vibrations due to asymmetric ice shedding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies acoustic drivers to generate vibrations at specific frequencies that match the natural frequencies of the airfoil. These vibrations cause ice to detach from the airfoil surface through resonant oscillation, converting the harmful ice accumulation into a controlled shedding process that reduces imbalances and vibrations
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic acoustic excitation at predetermined frequencies to repeatedly vibrate the airfoil, creating cyclic stress that facilitates ice detachment. This periodic action ensures continuous ice removal during operation, maintaining airfoil performance and reducing harmful vibrations
2Productivity
If acoustic energy is applied to excite vibratory modes for ice shedding, then ice removal effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to acoustic drivers and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect ice accumulation and triggers acoustic drivers only when needed, allowing the system to self-regulate and remove ice on-demand without continuous operation. This reduces energy consumption and simplifies control while maintaining effective ice shedding
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic drivers operate at predetermined frequencies that match the natural frequencies of the airfoil, optimizing ice shedding effectiveness. By tuning the acoustic parameters to specific resonant frequencies, the system achieves maximum ice removal efficiency with minimal energy input and simplified control
3Productivity
If rotor speed is increased to cause ice shedding, then ice removal is achieved, but passenger discomfort and noise increase due to asymmetric ice shedding
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing rotor speed, the system uses acoustic vibrations to induce ice shedding at normal operating speeds. This controlled vibrational approach causes ice to detach in a more uniform manner, reducing asymmetric shedding and the associated passenger discomfort and noise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of increasing rotor speed with an acoustic field-based approach. Acoustic drivers generate sound waves that induce vibrations in the airfoil, substituting mechanical speed increase with acoustic energy to achieve ice removal while maintaining comfortable and quiet operation
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 system effectively controls ice shedding, reducing imbalances and vibrations by frequently removing ice and minimizing ice adhesion, thus enhancing operational stability and passenger comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the acoustic driver applies acoustic energy to excite a predetermined vibratory mode of the airfoil such that the vibratory response of the airfoil liberates the ice from the airfoil
Implementation Method 2
excite a predetermined vibratory mode of the airfoil such that the vibratory response of the airfoil liberates the ice
Implementation Method 3
a vibration sensor is disposed on a case of the gas turbine engine that is disposed about the airfoil. The vibration sensor may be arranged to provide a signal indicative of a vibratory signature of the airfoil
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of openings is defined in a hub. The plurality of openings may be arranged to receive bleed air from a core engine and direct the bleed air towards a base of the airfoil
Data Source
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AI summary
A deicing system (90) for a gas turbine engine with a central longitudinal axis, comprises an acoustic driver (102) that is arranged to apply acoustic energy to an airfoil (62) to excite a predetermined vibratory mode of the airfoil. The acoustic driver being spaced apart from the airfoil. A gas turbine engine (20) includes an airfoil (62) and a deicing system (90). The airfoil radially extends from a hub (66) towards a case (60) disposed about a central longitudinal axis (A) of the gas turbine engine (20). A method of deicing an airfoil (62) of a gas turbine engine (20), comprises applying acoustic energy to an airfoil via an acoustic driver (102) that is spaced apart from the airfoil, wherein the acoustic energy excites a predetermined vibratory mode of the airfoil.