Angled Stator Aperture for Gas Turbine Bleed Air Pressure Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current rotor bleed off-take systems in gas turbine engines experience pressure drops and swirl issues due to air turning 90 degrees, resulting in inefficient kinetic head utilization and reduced pressure recovery.
Innovation Solution
An angled aperture is positioned in the stator assembly to direct air flow into the off-take cavity, reducing swirl and increasing pressure recovery by utilizing higher dynamic pressure, with the aperture extending at a non-perpendicular angle to minimize the air's turn and maximize kinetic head utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If air turns 90 degrees from stator vane exit to move between fixed stator flow surface and adjacent rotor inlet, then bleed extraction is achieved, but pressure drops occur and swirl is generated in the sealed cavity area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the aperture angle from the conventional 90 degrees to an optimized angle between 30-60 degrees. This parameter modification reduces the turning angle of air flow, thereby minimizing pressure drops and swirl generation in the sealed cavity area while maintaining effective bleed air extraction
2Quantity of substance
If air turns 90 degrees from stator vane exit, then bleed extraction is achieved, but kinetic head utilization is insufficient to drive flow to off-take cavity
Solution Approach 1:
By optimizing the aperture angle to between 30-60 degrees, the patent improves the alignment between air flow direction and the off-take cavity, thereby enhancing kinetic head utilization. The reduced turning angle allows better conversion of air flow kinetic energy into effective flow drive to the off-take cavity
3Quantity of substance
If rotor bleed off-take system uses gap between vane exit and rotor inlet, then bleed extraction is achieved, but swirl occurs due to rotation in area where air encounters rotor rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the aperture angle parameter to reduce the interaction between air flow and rotor rotation. By setting the aperture angle between 30-60 degrees instead of 90 degrees, the air flow encounters less rotational disturbance, thereby minimizing swirl generation in the sealed cavity area
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
This configuration reduces pressure drops and swirl, allowing for improved pressure recovery and increased dynamic pressure to drive bleed air flow, leading to enhanced engine performance and reduced weight through shorter de-swirling structures.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing higher dynamic pressure to drive the flow of the bleed air to the off-take cavity
Implementation Method 2
improved pressure recovery while also reducing swirl which occurs due to rotation in the area where air encounters rotor rotation
Data Source
AI summary
According to exemplary embodiments, a rotor off-take assembly is provided by positioning an angled hole or aperture in a stator assembly. This angled hole provides improved pressure recovery and utilizes higher dynamic pressure to drive the bleed air flow into the off-take cavity.