Compressor Bleed-Air Flow Guide for Pressure Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bleed-air cooling or heating efficiency is compromised due to pressure drops caused by air swirling in the direction of rotor shaft rotation within the bleed-air cavity, leading to inefficiencies in gas turbine engines.
Innovation Solution
A compressor bleed-air boost system featuring an impeller tube with a bleed-air flow guide positioned within the bleed-air cavity to direct bleed-air in a counter-flow direction relative to the rotor shaft's rotation, reducing pressure loss and enhancing pressure within the bleed-air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If bleed-air is allowed to swirl in the direction of rotor shaft rotation within the bleed-air cavity, then the bleed-air follows the natural rotational flow, but pressure drop occurs resulting in cooling or heating efficiency losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bleed-air guide that redirects the bleed-air flow in the opposite direction to the rotor shaft rotation. Instead of allowing the bleed-air to swirl with the rotation, the guide forces it to flow counter-rotational, thereby eliminating the pressure drop caused by centrifugal effects and improving bleed-air delivery pressure and efficiency
2Stress or pressure
If an impeller tube with bleed-air flow guide is introduced to direct bleed-air in counter-flow direction, then pressure loss is reduced and pressure is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an impeller tube with a bleed-air guide as an intermediary component within the bleed-air cavity. This mediator component actively manages the bleed-air flow direction, converting the harmful rotational swirl into useful counter-rotational flow, thereby enhancing pressure without requiring complete system redesign
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 system effectively mitigates pressure drops and improves the efficiency of bleed-air delivery to turbine sections by guiding bleed-air in a counter-flow direction, thereby increasing the pressure and reducing drag within the bleed-air cavity.
Implementation Method 1
an impeller tube with a bleed-air flow guide positioned within the bleed-air cavity to direct bleed-air in a counter-flow direction relative to the rotor shaft's rotation
Implementation Method 2
reducing pressure loss and enhancing pressure within the bleed-air
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor bleed-air boost system includes a high-pressure compressor comprising a first rotor disk and a second rotor disk coupled together via a drive arm and a rotor shaft. The rotor shaft is configured to rotate in a rotational direction about an axial centerline of the high-pressure compressor. The first rotor disk and the second rotor disk at least partially define a bleed-air cavity therebetween. The drive arm defines a bleed-air passage providing for fluid communication of a bleed-air between a primary flowpath of the high-pressure compressor and the bleed-air cavity. An impeller tube is at least partially positioned within the bleed-air cavity and includes a first end defining an inlet, and a second end defining an outlet in fluid communication with the bleed-air cavity. The outlet comprises a bleed-air flow guide.