Ceramic Wall Flow Turbulators for Gas Turbine Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face efficiency challenges due to the need for compressor bleed cooling, which reduces engine efficiency by relying on pressure differential, and existing technologies struggle to enhance thermal resistance at high temperatures without compromising performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a ceramic wall with a flow turbulator formed of ceramic matrix composite in the engine's airfoil section, which projects into the passage to disturb airflow and enhance heat removal, thereby reducing the need for compressor bleed cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If compressor bleed cooling is used to cool turbine components, then thermal resistance is improved, but engine efficiency deteriorates due to pressure differential losses
Solution Approach 1:
The flow turbulator is designed to generate turbulence in the coolant flow passing through the passage, which enhances heat transfer from the turbine component surface to the coolant. This self-service mechanism allows the cooling system to be more effective without requiring additional compressor bleed air, thereby maintaining engine efficiency while improving thermal resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow parameters of the coolant by introducing turbulence through the flow turbulator. This transformation of laminar flow to turbulent flow increases the heat transfer coefficient, enabling more effective cooling with the same amount of coolant, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal resistance and engine efficiency
2Temperature
If flow turbulators are added to enhance heat removal, then thermal resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow turbulator is segmented into multiple discrete elements (turbulator elements) that are distributed along the passage. This segmentation allows for optimized heat transfer at different locations while keeping each individual element simple in structure, thus improving heat removal without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flow turbulator may incorporate porous structures or surfaces that enhance heat transfer through increased surface area and induced turbulence, achieving improved thermal resistance with relatively simple geometric configurations that do not significantly increase device complexity
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 ceramic wall with flow turbulators improves thermal resistance and reduces the need for compressor bleed cooling, enhancing engine efficiency by facilitating better heat removal and maintaining performance.
Implementation Method 1
the flow turbulator projects into the passage to disturb airflow and enhance heat removal
Implementation Method 2
the ceramic wall with flow turbulators improves thermal resistance and reduces the need for compressor bleed cooling
Data Source
AI summary
An article includes a ceramic matrix composite wall that defines at least a side of a passage. The ceramic wall includes a ceramic matrix composite flow turbulator that projects into the passage. The flow turbulator is formed of ceramic matrix composite. The ceramic matric composite of the wall comprises woven fibers that are dispersed in a ceramic body matrix. An airfoil and a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.