Compressed-Air Rotor Assist for Faster Turbine Engine Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines in aircraft powerplants experience lag in response when rapidly increasing power settings due to delays in accelerating engine rotating assemblies.
Innovation Solution
An air system is integrated into the turbine engine to direct compressed air from an air source to air injectors, which project into the flowpath and apply a rotational driving force onto the compressor rotor, reducing response time by enhancing the acceleration of the compressor rotor and its blades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If compressed air is directed against compressor blades to accelerate the compressor rotor, then the acceleration speed and response time are improved, but the device complexity increases due to the addition of air injectors and air circuit systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using compressed air injected through air injectors to directly drive the compressor rotor. The air circuit system delivers compressed air from a source through injectors positioned against the compressor blades, utilizing pneumatic force to accelerate rotation and reduce response time during power setting changes.
2Force
If air injectors project deeper into the flowpath to apply greater force on compressor blades, then the rotational driving force is improved, but the risk of interfering with normal airflow and compressor operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning air injectors at specific locations within the flowpath where they can effectively apply force to compressor blades without disrupting overall airflow. The injectors are strategically placed to target specific blade areas, providing localized pneumatic assistance while maintaining normal compressor operation and avoiding interference with the flowpath.
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 air system facilitates a more rapid power increase by boosting rotational driving power to the compressor rotor, thereby reducing the lag in engine response during power setting changes.
Implementation Method 1
The air injector is configured to direct a stream of the compressed air into the flowpath and against one or more of the compressor blades to apply a rotational driving force onto the compressor rotor about the axis in the direction
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for an aircraft powerplant includes a compressor rotor and an air system. The compressor rotor includes a plurality of compressor blades. The compressor blades are arranged circumferentially around the axis in a compressor blade array and are disposed in a flowpath. The air system includes an air source, an air injector and an air circuit fluidly coupling the air source to the air injector. The air system is configured to direct compressed air from the air source to the air injector through the air circuit. The air injector is configured to direct a stream of the compressed air into the flowpath and against one or more of the compressor blades to apply a rotational driving force onto the compressor rotor about an axis. The flowpath has a radial height at an injector location. The air injector projects a radial distance into the flowpath at the injector location.