Curved Fairing Suction Surface for Turbomachine Flow Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fairing elements in turbomachines disrupt the pressure field and cause unwanted acoustic emissions by interfering with the flow, leading to reduced efficiency and increased size and weight of the machine.
Innovation Solution
A fairing element with a suction surface designed to minimize pressure variations by less than 5% along its length, using a shape that adapts to fluid flow parameters such as density, cross-sectional area, and mean radius variations, reducing disruptions and allowing for a shorter length without increasing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fairing element is placed in a flow to surround an obstacle, then the flow is divided between two sides of the obstacle, but the pressure field is disrupted upstream causing interference with rotor operation and acoustic emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The fairing element employs a curved suction surface instead of a flat surface. The curvature of the suction surface is specifically designed to adapt to the flow conditions and obstacle geometry, allowing the fairing element to guide flow more smoothly while minimizing pressure field disruptions upstream. This curved geometry enables better flow attachment and reduces abrupt pressure changes that cause acoustic emissions and rotor interference.
2Reliability
If a separation distance is introduced between the rotor and fairing element to reduce interaction, then rotor operation is protected, but the size and weight of the turbomachine increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the fairing element, specifically the curvature and shape of the suction surface, to optimize its flow-guiding capabilities. By adjusting these parameters, the fairing element can effectively guide flow without requiring increased separation distance from the rotor, thus maintaining rotor operation stability while avoiding unnecessary increases in turbomachine size and weight.
3Length of moving object
If the fairing element length is reduced to minimize size and weight, then the disruptions in pressure field are increased, but reducing length further increases interference with rotor operation
Solution Approach 1:
The curved suction surface design allows the fairing element to achieve effective flow guidance with reduced length. The curvature enables the fairing element to work more efficiently by better adapting to flow patterns, thereby maintaining adequate separation from the rotor while minimizing pressure field disruptions. This geometric optimization allows shorter fairing element length without compromising its protective function.
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 solution effectively reduces flow disruptions and acoustic emissions, maintaining rotor operation efficiency while minimizing the fairing element's length and weight, thus optimizing turbomachine performance.
Implementation Method 1
the suction surface has a shape suitable for producing, within a portion of the fluid which flows along this suction surface in accordance with the nominal values, relative pressure variations which are less than 5% in absolute values
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a fairing element intended to be placed in a passage for flow of a fluid, in order to surround an obstacle which crosses the passage so that the fairing element guides the flow of the fluid on two opposite sides of the obstacle. The fairing element is designed such that the pressure of the flowing fluid is constant or approximately constant in an upstream part of the suction surface of the fairing element. A fairing element of this kind can be incorporated into a stator of a turbomachine, in particular of an aircraft turbomachine.