Turbine Engine Core Bleed Diverter for Debris-Aware Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft engine systems for bleeding air from the flowpath are in need of improvement to efficiently manage debris and air flow under varying operational conditions.
Innovation Solution
A bleed system with a flow diverter that moves between positions to selectively couple or decouple inlet and outlet passages, allowing for debris management and air bleeding based on engine power and environmental conditions, using a cavity to collect debris when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air is continuously bled from the flowpath, then debris removal is improved, but engine performance deteriorates due to loss of working air
Solution Approach 1:
The bleed system incorporates a movable flow diverter that can dynamically switch between different flow paths based on operational conditions. The flow diverter moves between a first position that directs bleed air to a cavity for debris collection, and a second position that allows bleed air to exit directly, enabling adaptive debris removal while maintaining engine performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow parameters by controlling the position of the flow diverter. When the flow diverter is in the first position, it creates a closed cavity to collect debris, effectively changing the flow path and enabling debris removal without continuous air bleeding that would harm engine performance.
2Device complexity
If the bleed system is simplified, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different operational conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bleed system is designed with multi-functionality to handle different operational scenarios. The flow diverter can direct bleed air to the cavity for debris collection during high-debris conditions, or allow direct exit during normal operation. This single system provides both debris removal capability and maintains engine performance across varying operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable flow diverter adds dynamic adaptability to the bleed system. By being able to change position between first and second positions, the system can adapt to different operational conditions without requiring multiple separate systems, thus maintaining simplicity while improving versatility.
3Reliability
If the cavity is always open for debris collection, then debris removal is improved, but airflow efficiency deteriorates due to continuous bypassing
Solution Approach 1:
The flow diverter dynamically controls the cavity inlet based on operational needs. When debris collection is required, the flow diverter positions itself to open the cavity inlet, allowing debris to be captured. When debris removal is not needed, the flow diverter closes the cavity inlet, directing all bleed air through the outlet passage to maintain airflow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow path parameter by controlling the cavity inlet opening state. The flow diverter's position determines whether the cavity inlet is open or closed, thereby controlling whether bleed air is directed to the cavity for debris collection or bypasses it through the outlet passage, optimizing airflow efficiency based on operational conditions.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A bleed system (78) for a turbine engine (20) includes a bleed port (82), an inlet passage (84), an outlet passage (86), a cavity (88) and a flow diverter (120). The bleed port (82) is disposed longitudinally along a core flowpath (64) between an inlet (68) into the core flowpath (64) and an exhaust from the core flowpath (64). The bleed port (82) fluidly couples the core flowpath (64) to the inlet passage (84). The flow diverter (120) is configured to move between a first position and a second position. When the flow diverter (120) is in the first position, the flow diverter (120) fluidly decouples the inlet passage (84) from the outlet passage (86), and the cavity (88) is fluidly coupled with the inlet passage (84) and is downstream of the flow diverter (120). When the flow diverter (120) is in the second position, the flow diverter (120) fluidly couples the inlet passage (84) to the outlet passage (86).