Turboengine Blade Cooling via Tangential Cyclone Channels

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current cooling systems for turboengine blading members face inefficiencies in heat exchange and temperature distribution, leading to reduced component lifetime and operational performance under elevated temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical component with a hollow space and channels configured to induce cyclone or vortex flows, enhancing heat exchange between the coolant and the material, and utilizing near-wall cooling channels to distribute coolant effectively across the surface, including tangentially joined channels and discharge channels for film cooling on the outer surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional cooling channels are used in turboengine blading members, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the heat exchange efficiency between coolant and component material is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidchannel structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling channels are designed to generate rotational flow patterns where the coolant moves dynamically along the channel walls rather than in straight lines. This dynamic flow pattern increases the contact time and heat exchange efficiency between the coolant and the component material, resolving the contradiction by making the flow pattern adaptive to the channel geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system is divided into multiple separate channels with distinct functions: feed channels for introducing coolant, cyclone channels for heat exchange, and discharge channels for removing coolant. This segmentation allows each channel type to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall heat exchange efficiency while maintaining manufacturability through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If cooling channels are provided inside the trailing edge volume, then cooling is achieved from the surface, but temperature mismatches occur inside the component

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature distribution uniformityVSAvoidcomponent lifetime
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the component are cooled by dedicated channels positioned to address local thermal conditions. Feed channels introduce coolant at specific locations, cyclone channels provide intensive heat exchange in high-temperature zones, and discharge channels remove heated coolant strategically. This localized cooling approach creates a more uniform temperature distribution throughout the component, reducing thermal stresses and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of energy

If multiple cyclone channels are provided in a staged manner, then heat transfer is enhanced, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple cooling functions are merged into an integrated channel system where feed channels, cyclone channels, and discharge channels work together as a unified cooling network. The channels are designed to be fluidly connected in sequence, allowing coolant to flow continuously through the system. This merging approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving enhanced heat transfer through the coordinated action of multiple channel types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution significantly enhances heat transfer and coolant distribution, reducing temperature mismatches and improving the cooling efficiency of turboengine blading members, thereby extending component lifetime and optimizing performance.

Implementation Method 1

A second channel extends inside the wall and is provided in fluid communication with the internal hollow space and the first channel... A fluid entering the first channel through the feed channel develops a cyclone flow inside the first channel and thus enhances heat transfer between the trailing edge material and the coolant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone flow: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

A fluid entering the first channel through the feed channel develops a cyclone flow inside the first channel and thus enhances heat transfer between the trailing edge material and the coolant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex flow: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 3

The second channel and/or the third channel extend inside the wall and at least essentially parallel to a surface of the wall along at least a part of the extent of the wall in a second direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear wall cooling: Boundary Layer

Data Source

PatentEP3425165B1Mechanical component
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP3425165B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3425165B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3425165B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed is a mechanical component (1) comprising an internal hollow space (10) and a wall, the wall limiting the hollow space. The mechanical component (1) further comprises a first channel (31) extending inside the wall along a first direction and a second channel (32) extending inside the wall and provided in fluid communication with the internal hollow space (10) and the first channel (31), and intended to serve as a feed channel. A cross-sectional dimension of the first channel (31) is larger than a cross-sectional dimension of the feed channel, and the feed channel is arranged to tangentially join into the first channel (31). A third channel (33a) extends inside the wall and in fluid communication with the first channel (31). The third channel (33a) extends inside the wall and at least essentially parallel to a surface (11) of the wall along at least a part of the extent of the wall in a second direction, and is intended to serve as a near wall cooling channel.