Angled Hub Exhaust Diffuser Flow Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines experience significant turbulence and flow losses due to the strut configuration in the exhaust diffuser, particularly when the struts are flared forward, which affects pressure recovery and efficiency across various load points.
Innovation Solution
The exhaust diffuser design incorporates an angled hub configuration extending downstream from the inlet to the strut, combined with a substantially flat configuration, which optimizes flow profiles and reduces turbulence by allowing the struts to be positioned forward without increasing flow losses, while maintaining performance at full speed and load conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the struts are flared forward or positioned forward in the exhaust diffuser, then the structural support and flow direction control are improved, but turbulence and flow losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The hub is designed with different configurations at different locations: an angled configuration upstream of the strut and a substantially flat configuration downstream of the strut. This local differentiation allows the hub to optimize flow control in the upstream region while minimizing turbulence and flow losses in the downstream region where the strut is positioned forward.
2Strength
If the hub has a flared configuration to match the strut orientation, then the structural integrity and flow guidance are improved, but hub strong inlet flow profiles concentrate hot combustion gas flow near the hub causing separation from the casing
Solution Approach 1:
The hub configuration is segmented into two distinct regions: an angled configuration upstream of the strut that provides structural integrity and flow guidance, and a substantially flat configuration downstream of the strut that prevents flow concentration and separation. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without the negative effects of a uniformly flared hub.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an exhaust diffuser for a gas turbine engine. The exhaust diffuser may include a hub, a casing, and a strut extending between the hub and the casing. The hub may include an angled configuration about the strut and a substantially flat configuration downstream of the angled configuration.