Contoured Micro-Core Cooling Circuit for Gas Turbine Airfoils
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional micro-core cooling channels in gas turbine engines are typically flat and rectangular, which can be inefficient in areas with curved surfaces, as they do not effectively adapt to the contours of the components they are meant to cool, leading to suboptimal cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
The development of micro-core cooling circuits with varying thickness and contoured surfaces that deviate from a planar shape to a non-planar shape, allowing the channels to follow the curvature of airfoils and platforms, thereby improving cooling efficiency by directing air to areas of greater need.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional flat and rectangular micro-core cooling channels are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the cooling efficiency is reduced in areas with curved surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transitioning from flat, rectangular cooling channels to contoured, non-planar channels that follow the curved surfaces of airfoils and platforms. This allows the cooling channels to conform to the component geometry, maintaining effective cooling contact in curved areas while preserving manufacturing feasibility through adaptive design
2Device complexity
If flat rectangular cooling channels are used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to curved component surfaces is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by varying the thickness and contour of cooling channels according to the local geometry of the component surfaces. The channels are designed with different profiles in different locations - thinner in some areas, thicker in others - to match the local curvature and cooling requirements of each specific region
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform thickness cooling channels are used, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but the air distribution efficiency is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the thickness parameter of the cooling channels along their length and across different locations. This creates non-uniform channel profiles that optimize air distribution - directing more cooling air to areas with higher thermal loads while reducing thickness in areas with lower requirements, thereby improving overall cooling 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 design enhances cooling efficiency by accommodating the curvature of components, ensuring effective air distribution and improved thermal management in gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
a micro-core cooling circuit imbedded within the body
Data Source
AI summary
A component for use in a gas turbine engine comprises a body and a micro-core cooling circuit embedded within the body. The micro-core circuit has a variation in either the thickness or contoured surface, away from a generally planar shape to a non-planar shape.