Bidirectional Pump Thermal Management for Gas Turbine Heat Sinks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems in gas turbines face inefficiencies due to the need for multiple heat exchangers and lack of flexibility in heat dissipation strategies, particularly when using bypass air or fuel as heat sinks, leading to suboptimal performance and increased weight and cost.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional pump is integrated into the thermal management system to facilitate fluid flow direction changes between bypass air, auxiliary, and fuel heat exchangers, allowing for optimal heat dissipation based on engine operational conditions and flight envelope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heat exchangers are used for thermal management, then heat dissipation capability is improved, but system weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single pump is designed to perform multiple functions by switching flow directions. It can circulate working fluid through bypass air heat exchangers, fuel heat exchangers, or combinations thereof, depending on operational conditions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pumps for different thermal management modes, reducing overall system weight and complexity while maintaining adaptability across various heat dissipation scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a controllable pump that can dynamically change its operating mode and flow direction based on real-time engine conditions. The pump transitions between different circulation patterns (bypass air cooling, fuel cooling, or combined modes) to optimize thermal management performance, enabling the system to adapt to varying thermal loads without requiring multiple fixed-function components
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heat exchangers and plumbing components are used, then thermal management flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single controllable pump serves multiple thermal management functions by adjusting its flow direction and rate. It can operate in bypass air cooling mode, fuel cooling mode, or combined modes, providing thermal management flexibility equivalent to multiple dedicated pumps while significantly reducing the number of components required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple heat exchanger circuits (bypass air and fuel heat exchangers) into a single integrated thermal management system controlled by one pump. This merging approach allows flexible thermal management by routing the working fluid through different combinations of heat exchangers based on operational needs, while reducing system complexity by eliminating redundant pumps and control mechanisms
3Productivity
If larger heat exchangers are used to handle all thermal loads, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a dynamically controllable pump to regulate working fluid flow rates through different heat exchanger paths based on real-time thermal management needs. This dynamic control allows smaller, more efficient heat exchangers to handle variable thermal loads effectively, as the system can adjust flow distribution rather than requiring oversized heat exchangers designed for maximum static capacity
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 approach reduces the size of heat exchangers, saves weight, and enhances thrust specific fuel consumption by optimizing heat transfer and reducing the need for additional plumbing and valves, while providing flexibility in heat dissipation strategies.
Implementation Method 1
the bidirectional pump is configured to pump the working fluid through each of the bypass air heat exchanger, the auxiliary heat exchanger and the fuel heat exchanger in at least one of a first flow direction or a second flow direction
Implementation Method 2
a bypass air heat exchanger fluidly coupled with the bidirectional pump through the working fluid... an auxiliary heat exchanger fluidly coupled with the bidirectional pump and the bypass air heat exchanger through the working fluid... and a fuel heat exchanger fluidly coupled with the bidirectional pump and the auxiliary heat exchanger through the working fluid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A bidirectional pump for a thermal management system including a working fluid fluidly coupled with the bidirectional pump; a bypass air heat exchanger fluidly coupled with the bidirectional pump through the working fluid; an auxiliary heat exchanger fluidly coupled with the bidirectional pump and the bypass air heat exchanger through the working fluid; a fuel heat exchanger fluidly coupled with the bidirectional pump and the auxiliary heat exchanger through the working fluid, wherein the bidirectional pump is configured to pump the working fluid through each of the bypass air heat exchanger, the auxiliary heat exchanger and the fuel heat exchanger in at least one of a first flow direction and a second flow direction.