Hot Gas Path Cooling System with Particle Collection Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems for hot gas path components in turbine engines face blockages due to contamination of cooling fluids with particles, which reduces the lifespan and efficiency of these components.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with a substrate having an outer and inner surface, featuring a passage and an access passage formed at an acute angle with a particle collection chamber, which channels a cooling fluid to cool the substrate while collecting and preventing particles from entering the cooling passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If internal cooling passages are used to cool hot gas path components, then the component can operate at higher temperatures, but the cooling passages can be blocked by particles in the cooling fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a particle collection chamber separated from the cooling passages, an access passage connecting them, and the cooling passages themselves. This segmentation allows particles to be collected in one zone before the cooling fluid enters the critical cooling passages, preventing blockages while maintaining high temperature operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The access passage acts as an intermediary element between the particle collection chamber and the cooling passages. It channels the cooling fluid from the collection chamber to the passages, serving as a mediator that allows the cooling system to benefit from particle collection while maintaining proper fluid flow to the cooling passages.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If cooling fluid is circulated through internal passages, then the component lifespan is extended, but particles in the fluid cause blockage and reduce lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The particle collection chamber extracts and removes particles from the cooling fluid before it enters the internal cooling passages. By taking out the harmful particles from the fluid stream, the system prevents blockages and extends component lifespan while maintaining continuous cooling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The particle collection chamber performs preliminary action by collecting particles from the cooling fluid before the fluid enters the critical cooling passages. This preliminary particle removal prevents subsequent blockages and ensures the cooling system operates reliably throughout the component's lifespan.
3Productivity
If cooling passages are formed in the substrate, then cooling efficiency is improved, but particle blockage reduces cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into a particle collection chamber and separate cooling passages, allowing the passages to maintain their efficient cooling geometry while the collection chamber handles particle removal. This segmentation ensures cooling efficiency is preserved without particle blockage.
Solution Approach 2:
The access passage serves as an intermediary that connects the particle collection chamber to the cooling passages, allowing cooling fluid to flow from the collection chamber to the passages without carrying particles that would block them, thus maintaining 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
The system effectively prevents particle blockages, enhancing the cooling efficiency and extending the lifespan of hot gas path components, allowing them to operate at higher temperatures and improve the performance and efficiency of gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
The access passage is configured to channel a cooling fluid to the passage
Implementation Method 2
the passage is configured to channel the cooling fluid therethrough to cool the substrate
Data Source
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AI summary
A cooling system (42) for a hot gas path component (26) includes a substrate (78) having an outer surface (80) and an inner surface (82). The inner surface defines at least one interior space (88). A passage (76) is formed in the substrate between the outer surface and the inner surface. An access passage (94) is formed in the substrate and extends from the outer surface to the inner space. The access passage is formed at a first acute angle (β) to the passage and includes a particle collection chamber (98). The access passage is configured to channel a cooling fluid to the passage. Furthermore, the passage is configured to channel the cooling fluid therethrough to cool the substrate.