Core Flow Debris Cleaner With Annular Scroll Air Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines operating in unclean environments accumulate particulate matter, leading to degraded performance and component life reduction, as traditional cleaning methods based on time intervals may be ineffective in addressing latent accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning apparatus with a detachable debris collector and an annular arrangement, including a scroll portion, extracts debris from the core airflow path using gravitational and inertial forces, and returns cleaned air upstream, while synchronizing with a stability bleed valve to enhance debris removal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning is performed based on predetermined time intervals, then cleaning service is provided, but cleaning may occur too late relative to actual engine condition allowing latent accumulation to impact performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where debris sensors continuously monitor particulate matter accumulation in the engine core flow. When debris levels exceed predetermined thresholds, the system automatically triggers cleaning operations, ensuring cleaning occurs based on actual engine condition rather than fixed time intervals, thus maintaining reliability while optimizing timing.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If stability bleed valve is opened to remove debris, then debris extraction is achieved, but compressed air is vented reducing cycle efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts debris from the core flow using a dedicated debris extraction system that separates particulate matter from the airflow without venting the compressed air. The extraction system uses centrifugal force and gravitational separation to remove debris while maintaining the compressed air within the cycle, thus achieving debris removal without energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary debris extraction system between the core flow and the external environment. This intermediary system captures and removes debris through specialized separators and filters, preventing direct venting of compressed air while still achieving effective debris extraction, thereby maintaining cycle efficiency.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If cleaning apparatus processes airstream continuously, then debris removal is maximized, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cleaning process into multiple stages with progressively increasing debris removal capability. The first stage uses low-pressure separation methods for initial debris extraction, while subsequent stages handle remaining particulates with gradually increasing pressure differentials. This segmentation allows effective debris extraction while minimizing overall pressure loss compared to single-stage high-pressure processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by removing only the most harmful debris particles that exceed predetermined size and concentration thresholds, rather than attempting to remove all particulate matter. This selective approach achieves sufficient debris extraction for maintaining engine performance while avoiding the excessive pressure losses that would result from complete filtration.
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
Enhances debris removal efficiency, reduces performance degradation, and maintains cycle efficiency by selectively cleaning during high debris ingestion periods without venting compressed air, thus prolonging component life and improving engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
extracts debris from the core airflow path using gravitational and inertial forces
Implementation Method 2
extracts debris from the core airflow path using gravitational and inertial forces
Data Source
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AI summary
An assembly (200) of a gas turbine engine (20) includes a low pressure compressor (44), a high pressure compressor (52), an intermediate case (45) between the low pressure compressor (44) and the high pressure compressor (52), and a cleaning apparatus (70) having an annular arrangement (400) about the intermediate case (45). A core flow path (C) is defined through the low pressure compressor (44), the intermediate case (45), and the high pressure compressor (52). The annular arrangement (400) includes a scroll portion (300) configured to extract debris from an airstream at an outer diameter wall (204) of the core flow path (C) and return the airstream to the core flow path (C).