Combustor Panel Cooling With Integral Thermal Transfer Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing impingement cooling methods in gas turbine engine combustors suffer from localized hotspots due to rapid decay of cooling effectiveness away from impingement holes, leading to degradation and reduced durability of combustor panels.
Innovation Solution
Integration of thermal transfer features, such as heat pipes and cavities, within combustor panels to distribute cooling and enhance in-plane thermal conductivity, transferring heat from secondary zones to primary zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If impingement cooling is used to cool combustor panels, then cooling effectiveness is improved at locations near impingement holes, but cooling effectiveness rapidly decays in regions away from impingement holes leading to hot spots
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal transfer features act as intermediary elements between the impingement cooling system and the panel hot spots. These features receive cooling air through impingement holes and transport heat to regions away from the holes, effectively mediating the thermal energy transfer and extending cooling coverage without requiring additional cooling holes in every location.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from point-source cooling (impingement holes) to distributed cooling by incorporating thermal transfer features that extend cooling coverage across the panel surface. This dimensional expansion of cooling coverage allows heat removal from areas that would otherwise be too far from impingement holes.
2Temperature
If more impingement holes are added to improve cooling coverage, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but structural integrity and strength of the panel are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal transfer features serve as intermediaries that enable extended cooling coverage without requiring a proportional increase in impingement holes. By using these features to distribute cooling air and transport heat, the system achieves broader thermal management while maintaining the structural integrity of the panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function is segmented between the impingement holes (which provide localized cooling) and the thermal transfer features (which distribute cooling coverage). This segmentation allows the panel to maintain structural integrity with fewer holes while still achieving effective cooling through the distributed thermal transfer feature network.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional cooling methods are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but thermal stresses and oxidation occur leading to reduced component life
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal transfer features act as intermediary structures that protect the panel from excessive thermal stresses and oxidation by distributing heat more uniformly. These features mediate between the hot combustion environment and the panel material, reducing thermal gradients and extending component life.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal transfer features are pre-integrated into the panel structure during manufacturing, establishing a proactive cooling architecture before the panel is exposed to combustion conditions. This preliminary integration ensures that thermal management is built-in from the start, preventing thermal damage before it occurs.
4Temperature
If cooling air flow is increased to cool hot spots, then hot spot temperatures are reduced, but the required cooling air quantity increases reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal transfer features act as intermediaries that efficiently transport heat from hot spots to cooling air streams. By using these features to concentrate and direct heat transfer, the system achieves effective hot spot cooling without requiring proportionally increased cooling air flow, thus improving thermal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the thermal conductivity parameter by incorporating high-performance thermal transfer features with superior heat transfer characteristics. This parameter enhancement allows more effective heat removal from hot spots using the same or reduced cooling air flow, improving overall system efficiency.
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
Reduces hot spot temperatures and improves panel durability by effectively distributing cooling across the combustor panel, enhancing thermal management and extending component life.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing thermal transfer media like lithium, sodium, or encapsulated pyrolytic graphite to enhance in-plane thermal conductivity and reduce hot spot temperatures
Implementation Method 2
a condenser section of the thermal transfer feature is located proximate at least one of the plurality of impingement holes and an evaporator section of the thermal transfer feature is located away from the condenser section
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Components for gas turbine engines having a hot side surface, a cold side surface, the cold side surface receiving cooling impingement at one or more cold locations, and at least one thermal transfer feature (352; 452a-e; 552', 552"; 652'; 752'; 852', 852"; 952) located between the hot side surface and the cold side surface within the component and arranged such that a condenser section of the thermal transfer feature is located proximate at least one of the cold locations and an evaporator section of the thermal transfer feature is located away from the cold location.