Turbomachine Blade With Corrugated Internal Ribs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbomachine blades face challenges with aerodynamic losses due to wake mixing and inefficient cooling, particularly in high-temperature environments, where existing wake mixing structures are difficult to implement and coolant usage reduces engine efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a blade with a concave pressure side and convex suction side outer walls forming a radially extending chamber, featuring corrugated surfaces on both the outer and inner surfaces, including ribs with corrugated partitions to enhance wake mixing and cooling efficiency, utilizing additive manufacturing for complex geometry creation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If wake mixing structures such as crenulated or serrated trailing edges are formed or machined into the airfoil surface, then wake mixing is enhanced, but manufacturing difficulty and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic losses due to wake mixingVSAvoiddifficulty and cost of forming or machining airfoil surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the manufacturing parameter from traditional machining/forming processes to additive manufacturing (3D printing), enabling complex corrugated surface geometries to be created directly without difficult machining operations. This allows the wake mixing structures to be implemented with standard manufacturing capabilities rather than requiring specialized high-cost processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical machining process with an additive manufacturing process, substituting subtractive mechanics with a layer-by-layer material deposition system. This substitution enables complex surface geometries to be created more easily and cost-effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If internal cooling circuits with multiple flow paths are implemented, then cooling efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade temperature control in high-temperature environmentVSAvoidcomplexity of internal cooling circuit configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the internal cooling chamber into multiple regions using transverse ribs, creating distinct flow paths that can be independently optimized. This segmentation allows complex cooling patterns to be achieved through modular rib structures rather than requiring a single complex continuous circuit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transverse ribs serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support to the airfoil, partition the cooling chamber into flow paths, and create corrugated surfaces for enhanced heat transfer. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by combining several features into single structural elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If coolant usage is increased to withstand higher temperatures, then temperature tolerance improves, but engine efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature tolerance of turbine bladesVSAvoidengine efficiency reduced by coolant usage

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the heat transfer parameter by introducing corrugated surfaces on the ribs, which significantly enhance the heat transfer coefficient. This allows more effective cooling with the same coolant flow rate, or enables higher operating temperatures with reduced coolant usage, thereby maintaining engine efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improves wake mixing and cooling efficiency, reducing aerodynamic losses and extending part life without increasing weight or complexity, while allowing for higher temperature tolerance without relying heavily on coolant usage.

Implementation Method 1

blades having airfoils with enhanced wake mixing structures have been proposed. The wake mixing structures can take a variety of forms such as crenulated or serrated trailing edges on the airfoils

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

an internal rib having a corrugated surface to assist in cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

air passing through these cooling circuits often is vented through film cooling apertures formed on the leading edge, trailing edge, suction side, and/or pressure side of the airfoil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10465525B2Blade with internal rib having corrugated surface(s)

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

A blade includes an airfoil body defined by a concave pressure side outer wall and a convex suction side outer wall that connect along leading and trailing edges and, therebetween, form a radially extending chamber for receiving the flow of a coolant, the airfoil body having an outer surface and an inner surface facing the radially extending chamber. A first corrugated surface is on at least a portion of the outer surface of the airfoil body; and a first rib partitions the radially extending chamber, the first rib including a first side and an opposing second side. A second corrugated surface is on at least a portion of at least one of the first and second sides of the first rib.