Hollow Compressor Drum Electric Storage Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in integrating electric machines efficiently due to high temperatures, which can lead to demagnetization and require heavy, unreliable solutions like clutches and rotating transformers.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an electric storage device, such as a capacitor, within the hollow compressor drum of a gas turbine engine, which provides power to an electric machine without the need for brushes, excitors, or rotating rectifiers, and allows for efficient energy storage and transfer, reducing weight and heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional solutions like clutches and rotating transformers are used to provide power to electric machines in high temperature environments, then reliability is improved, but weight increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electric storage device from the traditional external power supply system and integrates it directly into the compressor drum structure. This removes the need for heavy clutches and rotating transformers, reducing weight while maintaining reliable power supply to the electric machine through direct electrical connection within the compressor assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the electric storage device with the compressor drum, combining two previously separate components into a single integrated unit. This integration eliminates the need for separate power transmission mechanisms like clutches and rotating transformers, thereby reducing overall system weight and complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If conventional solutions like clutches and rotating transformers are used to provide power to electric machines in high temperature environments, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex mechanical and electrical intermediaries (clutches, rotating transformers) from the power supply system. By directly integrating the electric storage device into the compressor drum with direct electrical connections, the system achieves reliable power supply with significantly reduced device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the electric storage device with the compressor drum into a single integrated assembly, eliminating the need for separate power transmission components. This merging reduces device complexity by reducing the number of parts and simplifying the overall power supply architecture while maintaining reliability.
3Weight of moving object
If an electric storage device is integrated within the hollow compressor drum, then weight is reduced and device complexity is reduced, but the compressor drum structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the compressor drum serve multiple functions: it acts as both the structural compressor component and as the housing for the electric storage device. This multi-functionality reduces overall system weight and complexity by eliminating separate housings and mounting structures, while the internal integration of the storage device adds minimal structural complexity compared to the benefits gained.
4Productivity
If the electric storage device is used to power the electric machine, then efficiency is improved and weight is reduced, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service thermal management system where the compressor drum structure itself serves as the heat sink for the electric storage device. The drum's mass and thermal properties allow it to absorb and dissipate heat generated during operation, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems and reducing overall heat generation impact while maintaining high 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
This solution enhances the efficiency and reliability of the gas turbine engine by reducing weight, minimizing heat generation, and enabling the engine to operate closer to its design point for a larger portion of flight, while providing stable compressor operation and flexible power management.
Implementation Method 1
The electric storage device may comprise one or more of a chemical battery, a fuel cell, and a capacitor
Implementation Method 2
The electric machine may comprise a synchronous electric machine comprising a stator having stator windings, and a rotor comprising rotor windings
Implementation Method 3
the capacitor provides DC current to the rotor, to energise the rotor windings in use
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A gas turbine engine (10) comprises a compressor (14) having a plurality of blades (22) mounted to a hollow, annular compressor drum (23). The compressor (14) comprises an electric storage device (30) mounted within the hollow compressor drum (23).