Compressor Blade Ice Prevention via Embedded Resistors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft gas turbine engines face challenges in preventing ice accumulation under certain atmospheric conditions, despite existing designs aimed at mitigating this issue, indicating a need for improved solutions.
Innovation Solution
A gas turbine engine design incorporating a rotor with an armature winding electrically connected to a resistor embedded in compressor blades, which generates an alternating magnetic field to produce an alternating electrical current and heat when the rotor rotates, effectively addressing ice accumulation by strategically heating prone areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a heater is added to prevent ice accumulation on compressor blades, then ice prevention capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged with the existing rotor structure by embedding resistors directly into the compressor blades. The armature winding integrated into the rotor generates electrical current that flows through these resistors, combining the motor function with the heating function in a single integrated system rather than adding a separate heating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor's own electromagnetic system serves dual purposes: driving the compressor blades and generating heat to prevent ice accumulation. The electrical current generated by the armature winding in the rotating magnetic field automatically flows through the embedded resistors in the blades, providing self-heating without requiring external power sources or additional control systems.
2Reliability
If an external power source is used for heating, then heating reliability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own electromagnetic generation capability to produce the heating current. The armature winding on the rotor generates electrical current through electromagnetic induction in the rotating magnetic field, which then flows through the embedded resistors in the compressor blades. This eliminates the need for external power sources, batteries, or complex power management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor's electromagnetic system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it drives the compressor blades through electromagnetic force and generates electrical current for heating the blades to prevent ice accumulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If resistors are embedded in compressor blades, then ice prevention effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Resistors are embedded only in specific locations on the compressor blades where ice accumulation is most problematic, such as the leading edges and surfaces most exposed to atmospheric moisture. This localized approach provides effective ice prevention while minimizing the impact on blade structure and manufacturing complexity compared to heating the entire blade.
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 solution effectively generates sufficient heat to prevent ice accumulation on compressor blades, ensuring engine functionality even in suboptimal conditions, with the ability to operate without external power and incorporate fail-safe features.
Implementation Method 1
rotating the rotor including the winding in a manner to successively close magnetic circuits of alternating orientations with a sequence of circumferentially distributed and alternating-orientation magnetic poles, the poles fixed relative to the engine casing, and thereby generating an alternating electrical current in the resistor dissipating, in turn, heat in the compressor blade
Implementation Method 2
generating an alternating electrical current in the resistor dissipating, in turn, heat in the compressor blade
Data Source
AI summary
The gas turbine engine can have a rotor rotatably mounted to an engine casing, the rotor having compressor blades, and an alternator, the alternator having an armature with a winding forming part of the rotor and a magnetic field generator forming part of the engine casing, with an air gap between the magnetic field generator and the armature, the winding being electrically connected to a resistor embedded in at least one of the compressor blades.