Turbine Compressor Cooling via Downstream Fluid Diversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

As gas turbine engine designs increase pressure ratios, compressor rotor components face thermal fatigue and wear due to elevated temperatures, leading to potential material changes that are costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method for temperature control in turbine engine compressors involves diverting fluid from the downstream high-pressure region to the upstream low-pressure region within the compressor, where it cools the components by transferring heat, thereby conserving energy and reducing the need for external cooling systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pressure ratio is increased to improve turbine engine performance, then performance is improved, but temperature increases causing thermal fatigue and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturbine engine performanceVSAvoidcompressor component temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts hot fluid from the downstream high-temperature region of the compressor and redirects it to cool upstream components. This separation of heating and cooling functions resolves the contradiction by removing the harmful thermal effect from vulnerable components while maintaining the high pressure ratio for performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a cooling fluid as an intermediary to transfer thermal energy from downstream regions to upstream components. This mediator enables heat transfer without direct thermal contact, allowing the system to manage temperature distribution while maintaining high overall pressure ratios for improved performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If material is changed to more durable material to resist thermal fatigue, then durability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor component durabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful high-temperature environment into a beneficial cooling resource by redirecting the hot fluid to cool upstream components. This transforms the thermal challenge into a solution, maintaining component durability without requiring expensive material changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own operating fluid to provide cooling for upstream components, making the system self-sufficient. The hot fluid that would otherwise be waste heat becomes the cooling medium, eliminating the need for external cooling systems and expensive specialized materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If external cooling system is added to manage temperature, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor component temperature controlVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cooling function with the existing compressor fluid system. By integrating temperature control into the main compressor operation using internal fluid redirection, the system achieves effective cooling without adding separate external cooling systems, thus maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The compressor fluid serves multiple functions: it maintains the pressure ratio for performance and simultaneously provides cooling for upstream components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated cooling systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively manages temperature without external components, simplifies assembly, reduces costs, and maintains turbine efficiency by integrating cooling within the compressor, thus enhancing rotor durability and performance.

Implementation Method 1

diverting fluid from the downstream high-pressure region to the upstream low-pressure region within the compressor, where it cools the components by transferring heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2672122B1Method for controlling temperature of a turbine engine compressor and compressor of a turbine engine

Publication Date: 2019.09.04 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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AI summary

According to one aspect of the invention, a method for temperature control of a turbine engine compressor (200) includes directing a fluid from a first region (220) proximate a main flow path (218) in a downstream portion (214) of a structure (202,204) in a compressor (200) to an upstream portion (216) of the structure (202,204), wherein the fluid is cooled as the fluid flows through the upstream portion (216) of the structure (202,204). The method further includes directing the fluid from the upstream portion (216) of the structure downstream (202,204) to a second region (231) of the compressor (200) to cool the second region (231), wherein the fluid is directed through passages (221) in the upstream and downstream portions (214,216) of the structure (202,204) thereby substantially conserving an energy of the fluid within the structure (202,204) and wherein a pressure of the second region (231) is less than a pressure of the first region (220).