Compressor Intermediate Case with Environmental Control Manifold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional environmental control system bleed paths in gas turbine engines often source air from the high pressure compressor, which may contain dirt particles, leading to dirty air circulating in the aircraft cabin, while cleaner air is desired for passenger comfort.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a 2.5 bleed duct and stability valve system, combined with an asymmetrical environmental control system manifold and dirt separators, allows for cleaner air sourcing from station 2.5 downstream of the 2.5 bleed path, minimizing disruption to core airflow and ensuring cleaner air distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If environmental control system bleed air is sourced from the middle section of the high pressure compressor, then the air supply is effective and sufficient, but the air contains dirt particles that were not diverted through the 2.5 bleed path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the environmental control system bleed air sourcing location from the conventional middle section of the high pressure compressor and relocates it to station 2.5, which is downstream of the 2.5 bleed path. This extraction of the air source from the contaminated zone ensures that dirt particles are removed before the air is supplied to the environmental control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The 2.5 bleed path acts as an intermediary mechanism between the low pressure compressor discharge and the high pressure compressor intake. By positioning the environmental control system bleed air source downstream of this intermediary path, the system utilizes the 2.5 bleed path as a filtering mediator that removes dirt particles from the air stream.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the environmental control system bleed path is relocated to station 2.5 downstream of the 2.5 bleed path, then cleaner air is provided to the cabin, but there may be disruption to core airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific asymmetric configuration of the environmental control system manifold that is optimized for its local function of extracting clean air at station 2.5. The manifold design includes a first collection wall extending radially outwardly and a second collection wall extending axially downstream, with asymmetric dimensions that tailor the air extraction to this specific location while minimizing impact on core airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The environmental control system manifold is designed with asymmetric geometry rather than symmetric configuration. The first collection wall extends a first distance from the fire wall adjacent to the exit port and tapers to a second distance at the opposite side, while the second collection wall extends a third distance from the intermediate case adjacent the exit port and tapers to a fourth distance at the opposite side. This asymmetric design optimizes air extraction at station 2.5 while minimizing disruption to core airflow patterns.
Data Source
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AI summary
A compressor intermediate case for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of intermediate case struts joining the compressor intermediate case to an inner engine structure. Each strut of the plurality of intermediate case struts includes a leading edge. A turning scoop is disposed at the leading edge of each strut of the plurality of intermediate case struts. A plurality of diffusers extends radially outwardly from the compressor intermediate case so that each diffuser of the plurality of diffusers engages with a corresponding turning scoop. A substantially annular structural fire wall extends radially outwardly from the compressor intermediate case. An environmental control system manifold is disposed on the compressor intermediate case. The environmental control system manifold includes an exit port.