Channel-Cooled Hooks for Gas Turbine Engine Casing Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbine engines, hook temperatures often exceed the material's temperature capability, leading to reduced hook strength and retention capabilities, and existing designs lack efficient cooling mechanisms to manage heat effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of channel-cooled hooks with hook cooling channels, featuring heat transfer enhancement features like rib turbulators and pin fins, which direct cooling fluid through the channels to manage heat and maintain lower temperatures, thereby enhancing hook strength and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hooks are made thicker and heavier to maintain strength at high temperatures, then hook strength is improved, but weight increases and heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A cooling fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance that flows through channels within the hook structure. This cooling fluid acts as a heat transfer mediator, absorbing excess heat from the hook material and carrying it away, thereby maintaining hook strength at lower temperatures without requiring increased hook mass
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the thermal parameter of the hook by introducing active cooling. Instead of relying on passive thermal mass, the hook's temperature is actively controlled through the cooling fluid flow, allowing the same hook weight to maintain strength under different thermal conditions
2Temperature
If cooling channels are added to hooks, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hook structure is segmented to include internal cooling channels divided into multiple sections or zones. This segmentation allows different regions of the hook to be cooled independently or with varying flow rates, optimizing heat transfer efficiency while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular channel design
Solution Approach 2:
The hook incorporates porous material structures or channel networks that provide extensive surface area for heat transfer within a compact volume. This approach improves heat transfer efficiency without proportionally increasing structural complexity, as the porous architecture naturally provides cooling pathways
3Strength
If hook temperatures are reduced through cooling, then hook strength is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed to utilize existing engine cooling circuits or waste heat sources within the gas turbine engine. The hook cooling channels are integrated with the engine's existing fluid circulation systems, allowing the hook to benefit from cooling without requiring dedicated energy input or separate cooling infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful high-temperature environment into a beneficial cooling opportunity by positioning the hook within existing hot gas flows or cooling circuits. The temperature differential between the hot engine environment and the cooling fluid creates natural heat transfer driving forces, reducing the need for active cooling energy input
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 solution maintains lower hook temperatures, reducing stresses and allowing for thinner, lighter hooks while improving heat transfer efficiency, thus enhancing overall engine performance and reducing weight.
Implementation Method 1
direct cooling fluid into and through the hook cooling channel
Implementation Method 2
heat transfer enhancement features including at least one of rib turbulators, pin fins, or pedestals
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes an engine casing structure and a part retained relative to the engine casing structure by a channel-cooled hook. The channel-cooled hook includes at least a portion of a hook cooling channel. A vane assembly for the gas turbine engine is also provided.