Centrifugal Compressor Diffuser Bleeding Channels for Dust-Free Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engines face challenges in bleeding air from centrifugal compressors without carrying dust into the pressurization circuit, and existing solutions either fail to separate dust or increase engine weight by requiring additional piping to bypass the diffuser.
Innovation Solution
A diffuser design with radially extending parallel discs, a bent part, and a downstream cavity, featuring channels that connect the downstream cavity to a bleed cavity upstream of the diffuser, allowing air to be bled in a depolluted zone while avoiding the need for bypass piping and enhancing air tranquilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If air is bled from the tranquilization chamber upstream of the centrifugal compressor, then air can be supplied for pressurization functions, but dust carried by the air flow enters the pressurization circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the air bleeding function from the traditional tranquilization chamber location and relocates it to the diffuser component. By creating dedicated bleeding channels within the diffuser structure, the system separates the air extraction function from the main flow path, allowing dust-laden air to continue through the compressor while clean air is bled off for pressurization functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser acts as an intermediary structure between the compressor outlet and the pressurization system. The bleeding channels within the diffuser serve as an intermediate pathway that selects and transports only the cleanest air portion, filtering out dust particles that remain in the main flow continuing to the combustion chamber.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If air is bled downstream of the diffuser from the combustion chamber inlet cavity, then dust is separated from the air stream, but additional piping is required to bypass the diffuser increasing engine weight
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the air bleeding function with the diffuser structure by integrating bleeding channels directly into the diffuser body. This combination eliminates the need for separate external piping to bypass the diffuser, as the diffuser itself serves dual purposes: straightening the air flow and providing a pathway for bleeding clean air to the pressurization system.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser is designed with multi-functionality, serving both its traditional role of straightening air flow from the centrifugal compressor and simultaneously acting as the bleeding mechanism for the pressurization system. The bleeding channels are built into the diffuser structure, allowing one component to perform multiple functions without requiring additional separate systems.
3Ease of operation
If air is bled at the diffuser radial end or upstream face, then air does not need to pass through the diffuser wheel, but dust separation is not achieved and polluted air enters the pressurization circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating specific bleeding channels at strategic locations within the diffuser structure where air flow is most tranquilized and dust-free. Rather than bleeding air from any location in the diffuser, the channels are positioned in regions where the air has been thoroughly straightened and separated from dust particles, ensuring high-quality air for pressurization.
Solution Approach 2:
The air undergoes preliminary straightening and dust separation within the diffuser structure before reaching the bleeding channels. The diffuser blades pre-process the air flow, removing turbulence and separating dust particles, so that by the time air reaches the bleeding channels, it is already cleaned and ready for pressurization use.
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
This solution effectively separates dust from the air stream, reduces engine weight and piping length, and ensures maximum air tranquilization, providing a simple and aerodynamically efficient method for bleeding clean air for aircraft pressurization systems.
Implementation Method 1
a diffuser intended to straighten the flow of air issuing from a centrifugal compressor
Implementation Method 2
air issuing from a centrifugal compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A diffuser which straightens the flow of air issuing from a centrifugal compressor in a turbine engine is provided. The diffuser having a cylindrical shape and including a first part having the form of two substantially parallel discs extending substantially radially relative to the axis of symmetry of the diffuser, a second bent part, and a third part intended to open out into a downstream cavity, positioned downstream of the diffuser and fed with air issuing from the compressor. The first part is traversed by a plurality of channels distributed evenly over its circumference and opening out on its downstream face so as to bring the air contained in the downstream cavity into communication with a bleed cavity situated upstream of the diffuser.