Gas Turbine Diffuser Hollow Strut Cooling Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased bypass ratio in modern gas turbine engines leads to higher T3 temperatures, necessitating efficient utilization of air in the compressor section, where the existing diffuser designs fail to effectively manage fluid flow and pressure, resulting in inefficient energy distribution and cooling within the engine.
Innovation Solution
A diffuser housing with a circumferential array of hollow struts providing a cavity, where fluid is introduced through an inlet aperture and mixed with core flow, exiting through an outlet aperture, effectively distributing the mixed fluid to various engine components, including the combustor and TOBI module, to enhance cooling and lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the bypass ratio is increased to improve engine efficiency, then the volume of air delivered into the bypass duct increases, but the T3 temperature at the compressor exit increases, requiring more efficient air utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first region for receiving compressed air, a second region for receiving core flow, and a third region for mixing and distributing the combined flow. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each region's function to manage the increased temperature and flow volume efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser acts as an intermediary component between the compressor and combustor, mediating the interaction between the high-volume bypass air and the high-temperature core flow. It facilitates efficient mixing and pressure equalization, enabling the system to handle increased bypass ratios while managing T3 temperature effects.
2Stress or pressure
If the T3 temperature is increased to improve compressor efficiency, then the pressure at the compressor exit increases, but the cooling requirements for the turbine section increase
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser merges the high-pressure compressor air with the core flow in a controlled manner, combining two fluid streams with different pressure and temperature characteristics. This merging process enables efficient heat transfer and pressure equalization, allowing the system to maintain high compressor exit pressure while providing effective cooling to the turbine section through the mixed flow.
3Device complexity
If existing diffuser designs are used with increased bypass ratio, then the structure remains simple, but the fluid flow management and pressure distribution become inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the diffuser are designed with locally optimized characteristics: the first region has geometry optimized for receiving and distributing compressed air, the second region is configured for efficient core flow intake, and the third region provides optimized mixing and distribution. This local quality approach allows the diffuser to maintain relative structural simplicity while dramatically improving fluid flow management and pressure distribution 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
This configuration improves the efficiency of air utilization by reducing temperature and pressure differences, providing effective cooling and lubrication, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency and longevity of engine components.
Implementation Method 1
The diffuser housing is configured to introduce a fluid through the inlet aperture and receive a core flow through the opening. The fluid and core flow exit through the outlet aperture.
Implementation Method 2
a diffuser housing that has a circumferential array of hollow struts that provide a cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A diffuser for a gas turbine engine includes a diffuser housing that has a circumferential array of hollow struts that provide a cavity. The diffuser housing includes inlet and outlet apertures that are in fluid communication with the cavity. An opening on a trailing end of the struts is in fluid communication with the cavity. The diffuser housing is configured to introduce a fluid through the inlet aperture and receive a core flow through the opening. The fluid and core flow exit through the outlet aperture.