Convex Anti-ice Splitter Nose for Turbofan Engines

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Anti-ice heating of the booster splitter nose in turbofan engines faces competing requirements for strength and heat transfer capacity, and excessive weight or bleed air consumption adversely affects engine efficiency and risk of compressor stall and mechanical damage.

Innovation Solution

A splitter apparatus with a convex leading edge, annular splitter plenum, radially oriented metering slots, and exit slots is designed to efficiently conduct airflow and reduce ice buildup, using compressor bleed air while minimizing weight and bleed air consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the booster splitter nose is heated using compressor bleed air, then ice buildup is reduced, but engine efficiency deteriorates due to increased specific fuel consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice buildupVSAvoidspecific fuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal parameters of the heating system by using a heat exchanger to transfer heat from compressor discharge air to the splitter nose, rather than directly bleeding hot air. This allows for optimized heat transfer efficiency and reduced energy loss, maintaining anti-icing effectiveness while improving overall engine efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the direct thermal contact heating system with a heat exchanger-based thermal transfer system. This substitution enables more efficient heat transfer with controlled airflow, reducing the energy penalty associated with bleed air consumption while maintaining effective heating of the splitter nose

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the booster splitter nose is heated using compressor bleed air, then ice buildup is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional heating system components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice buildupVSAvoidheating system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger assembly serves multiple functions: it heats the splitter nose to prevent ice buildup, manages thermal energy from the compressor discharge, and controls airflow distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate heating components, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining effective anti-icing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the splitter nose structure is strengthened to prevent ice shedding, then reliability improves, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor stall preventionVSAvoidsplitter weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary heating action to the splitter nose surface before ice can accumulate to problematic levels. By maintaining the surface temperature above freezing through the heat exchanger system, ice accumulation is prevented in advance, eliminating the need for excessive structural strengthening and reducing overall weight while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The design effectively reduces ice accumulation and shedding, maintaining structural integrity and engine efficiency by optimizing heat transfer and airflow distribution, thereby minimizing the risk of compressor stall and mechanical damage.

Implementation Method 1

The splitter plenum, the metering slots, and the exit slots may be arranged to conduct airflow from the plenum, through the metering slots substantially against the splitter inner surface, and through the exit slots

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9777632B2Anti-ice splitter nose

Publication Date: 2017.10.03 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

Splitter apparatus for gas turbine engines are disclosed. An example splitter apparatus may include a splitter including an annular outer wall substantially defining a convex leading edge; an annular splitter support positioned radially within the outer and including a forward end disposed substantially against a splitter inner; and an annular first bulkhead spanning between the outer wall and the splitter support. The outer wall, the splitter support, and the first bulkhead may define a generally annular splitter plenum. The forward end of the splitter support may include spaced apart, radially oriented metering slots. The outer wall may include an inner portion disposed radially inward from the splitter inner surface extending aft and including spaced-apart exit slots. The splitter plenum, the metering slots, and the exit slots may conduct airflow from the plenum, through the metering slots against the splitter inner surface, and through the exit slots.