Combustor Openings for Stable Trapped Vortex Combustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trapped vortex combustors face challenges in maintaining stability at small sizes, and un-trapped or partially trapped vortex combustors struggle with aerodynamic closure of toroidal vortices, leading to reduced efficiency and incomplete combustion.
Innovation Solution
The combustor design incorporates features like bleed flows, synthetic jets, and physical blockages to enhance the momentum of vortex driver jets, and adjustable doors to control airflow through openings, ensuring stable vortex formation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the combustor size is reduced, then the engine compactness is improved, but the vortex stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The combustor is segmented into multiple zones with different opening configurations. The plurality of openings are distributed at different axial and radial positions, allowing different segments of the combustor to perform different functions - some regions provide stronger vortex driving while others allow for compact sizing, thus resolving the contradiction between small size and vortex stability
Solution Approach 2:
The opening characteristics are made non-uniform throughout the combustor structure. By varying the opening size, shape, and distribution locally at different positions, the vortex driver jets can be enhanced at critical locations while maintaining overall compact dimensions, addressing both the volume reduction goal and vortex stability requirement
2Stability of the object's composition
If the vortex driver jet momentum is increased, then the vortex stability is improved, but the airflow loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parameters of the openings (size, shape, distribution, orientation) are optimized to achieve the right balance. By carefully controlling these geometric parameters, the vortex driver jets generate sufficient momentum for stable vortex formation while minimizing excessive airflow losses, thus resolving the contradiction between vortex stability and airflow loss
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 approach enhances vortex stability and combustion efficiency, maintaining performance even at reduced combustor sizes, thereby improving the operational efficiency of gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of driver openings configured to deliver a vortex driver jet inside the combustion chamber to drive a vortex
Data Source
AI summary
A combustor having a plurality of openings to control a vortex driver jet within the combustor. The combustor includes an outer casing and an inner casing extending circumferentially about a longitudinal combustor centerline axis, an outer liner spaced apart from the outer casing to define therebetween an outer flow passage and an inner liner spaced apart from the inner casing to define therebetween an inner flow passage, a dome structure, the outer liner and the inner liner defining a combustion chamber, a plurality of outer openings provided in the outer casing and a plurality of inner openings provided in the inner casing. The plurality of outer openings and inner openings are configured to bleed airflow from or to introduce airflow into the outer flow passage or the inner flow passage, to control the vortex driver jet within the driver openings, to drive a vortex in the combustion chamber.