Conjoined Grommet Assembly for Combustor Dilution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing combustor designs in gas turbine engines face challenges in achieving optimal temperature profiles at the combustor outlet due to inadequate penetration and mixing of dilution air, primarily because the traditional grommet spacing limits the orientation and proximity of dilution holes, leading to either hot or cold cores.
Innovation Solution
A conjoined grommet assembly where two grommets share a common outer face and are strategically positioned to define primary and wake dilution holes, allowing for closer centerpoint distances and optimized radius vectors, enhancing air penetration and mixing within the combustion chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional grommets are spaced apart to define dilution holes, then each grommet can be individually positioned, but the spacing limits the proximity of dilution holes and prevents optimal temperature profile control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate grommets into a single integrated grommet structure with multiple openings. This merging allows the dilution holes to be positioned closer together than would be possible with separate grommets, enabling better control of the temperature profile by reducing the distance between adjacent dilution holes while maintaining individual hole functionality.
2Productivity
If dilution holes are positioned closer together to improve mixing, then temperature profile control improves, but traditional spaced grommets cannot achieve sufficient proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple grommet functions into a single integrated component that provides multiple openings. This configuration achieves closer spacing of dilution holes for improved mixing efficiency while actually simplifying the overall device by reducing the number of separate grommet components that would need to be positioned and secured individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated grommet is segmented into multiple distinct openings within a single structure. This segmentation allows each dilution hole to be independently sized and positioned for optimal mixing, while the unified grommet body enables closer spacing than separate grommets would allow.
3Temperature
If a small number of large dilution holes are used, then penetration is excessive causing cold core, but if many small holes are used, then penetration is inadequate causing hot core
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total dilution hole area into multiple openings within a single integrated grommet. This segmentation allows optimization of the number, size, and distribution of holes to achieve the right balance between penetration and mixing, avoiding both hot core (inadequate penetration) and cold core (excessive penetration) conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated grommet allows different openings to have different sizes and positions tailored to local requirements. Each opening can be optimized for its specific location in the combustor, enabling precise control of temperature distribution throughout the combustion chamber.
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 configuration improves the temperature profile at the combustor outlet by ensuring adequate air penetration and mixing, reducing the risk of hot spots and enhancing the efficiency of the turbine section by optimizing the distribution and size of dilution holes.
Implementation Method 1
flow dilution air from a cooling plenum and into the combustion chamber to improve emissions, and reduce and control the temperature profile of combustion gases
Data Source
AI summary
A conjoined grommet assembly for a combustor wall assembly of a gas turbine engine has a first grommet defining at least in-part a first dilution hole, and a second grommet defining at least in-part a second dilution hole. The first and second dilution holes are spaced closely together such that the first grommet is in contact with the second grommet.