Clocked Intake Plenum Struts for Lower Airflow Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air intake plenums in turboshaft gas turbine engines suffer from airflow impediments and energy losses due to struts, which create stagnation points and non-uniform airflow distribution, exacerbated by non-uniform intake air entry caused by compact ducting modifications.
Innovation Solution
The orientation of struts within the air intake plenum is adjusted using a polynomial equation to determine optimal clocking angles based on circumferential positions, aligning major axes with airflow patterns to minimize airflow losses and accommodate non-uniform intake air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If struts are disposed within the air intake plenum to provide structural support, then the plenum structural strength is improved, but airflow losses increase due to stagnation points and separated flow regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the cross-sectional geometry of struts along their length. The first cross-section (upstream) has a larger area than the second cross-section (downstream), creating a tapered configuration. This local variation in geometry allows the strut to maintain structural strength while reducing flow separation and stagnation effects, thereby decreasing airflow energy losses in critical regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by using non-uniform cross-sectional areas along the strut length rather than symmetric equal-area sections. The asymmetric tapered design (larger upstream area, smaller downstream area) optimizes the balance between structural support function and airflow performance, reducing the harmful effects of strut presence on airflow while maintaining necessary structural integrity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If struts are uniformly spaced around the plenum circumference to provide even structural support, then structural uniformity is improved, but airflow distribution worsens due to non-uniform intake air entry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning struts at specific non-uniform locations around the plenum circumference rather than uniform spacing. The circumferential positions are strategically selected to accommodate non-uniform intake air entry patterns, with struts placed in regions where they minimize disruption to airflow while still providing necessary structural support.
3Volume of moving object
If compact ducting is used to improve external appearance and reduce cross-sectional area, then aircraft external dimensions are reduced, but intake air uniformity worsens causing non-uniform flow at the plenum inlet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the non-uniform airflow caused by compact ducting by implementing local quality variations in strut design. The struts have varying cross-sectional areas along their length and are positioned at specific circumferential locations, creating localized flow management that compensates for the non-uniform inlet conditions produced by compact ducting.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5
AI summary
An air intake plenum (22) for a gas turbine engine (20) is provided that includes an axial centerline (30), first and second gas path surfaces (58, 60), and a plurality of struts (42). The gas path surfaces (58, 60) are spaced apart from one another and define at least a portion of a plenum interior (61). The struts extend lengthwise between the gas path surfaces (58, 60). Each strut has a cross-section geometry. The cross-section geometry has a center, and major and minor axes (50, 55). The struts are circumferentially spaced apart from one another within the plenum (22). Each strut is oriented at a clocking angle theta. The clocking angle theta for each respective strut is disposed between the major axis (50) of that strut and a line (62) that intersects the cross-section geometry center of that strut and the axial centerline (30). At least one strut of the plurality of struts (42) is oriented at a clocking angle theta that is greater than zero.