Gas Turbine Diffuser With Varying Channel Width And Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine diffusers face challenges in maintaining an optimal diffusion rate and resisting dynamic loads while accommodating varying radial spaces and air flow velocities, which can lead to reduced fatigue life and foreign object intrusion resistance.
Innovation Solution
A diffuser design featuring a plurality of air flow channels defined by vanes with tapered surfaces, where the width of the channels varies relative to their depth along the length, ensuring a consistent diffusion rate and accommodating changes in vane width to maintain an adequate area, supported by a shroud for structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the diffusion rate is increased to improve air flow management, then the compressor performance is improved, but the radial space required increases which reduces structural compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser channels are designed with non-uniform cross-sections where the width and depth vary along the length of each channel. This local variation in geometry allows different sections to optimize diffusion while maintaining overall compactness, with wider sections providing higher diffusion rate and narrower sections reducing radial space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from considering only the width of diffuser channels to incorporating depth as an additional dimension. By varying both width and depth along the channel length, the design achieves effective diffusion in a more compact radial envelope, utilizing three-dimensional space optimization rather than relying solely on increased width.
2Strength
If the vane width is increased to maintain adequate channel area, then the structural strength is improved, but the channel width decreases which reduces air flow capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention compensates for reduced channel width by increasing channel depth, utilizing the depth dimension to maintain adequate flow area. This allows vanes to be wider for structural strength while the channel remains sufficiently wide for air flow by drawing on the additional depth dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The design employs varying cross-sectional parameters along the channel length, with width and depth adjusted at different positions. This allows optimization of both structural strength (wider vanes in critical areas) and flow capacity (maintained channel area through depth compensation) within the same diffuser structure.
3Area of stationary object
If the radial space is reduced to improve compactness, then the device size is reduced, but the diffusion rate decreases which reduces compressor efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser channels feature locally optimized cross-sections with varying width and depth along their length. This allows high diffusion rate in critical sections while maintaining overall compact radial dimensions, with the three-dimensional geometry providing efficient diffusion without requiring large radial space throughout the entire channel.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing depth as an additional geometric dimension alongside width, the invention achieves effective diffusion rates within reduced radial space. The varying depth compensates for limited radial envelope, allowing efficient diffusion in a more compact overall structure.
4Productivity
If the channel width is varied to optimize diffusion, then the diffusion rate is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to non-uniform geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The varying cross-sectional geometry is implemented through systematic design of width and depth profiles along the channel length. This localized variation optimizes diffusion at different positions while maintaining a regular overall pattern that can be manufactured using standard forming or machining processes for each vane type.
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 diffuser effectively directs air flow from a radial to an axial direction, maintaining a desired diffusion rate and reducing velocity and pressure recovery, while enhancing vane durability and resistance to foreign objects by dynamically adjusting channel dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
Gas turbine engine compressors utilize diffusers for directing air flow to a combustor. Diffusers may incorporate vanes for directing air flow to provide a desired diffusion rate within a desired radial space.
Implementation Method 2
The vanes are configured to perform under dynamic loads while maintaining an acceptable diffusion rate... reducing velocity and pressure recovery
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary diffuser includes a plurality of air flow channels defined by a corresponding plurality of vanes. The vanes extend from a first side of the diffuser and define a width of the air flow channel between the corresponding plurality of vanes. The first side has at least one tapered surface extending from an inner radial position to an outer radial position. The distance between a tapered surface and a top side of the plurality of the vanes defines a depth of the air flow channel. The width of the air flow channel varies relative to the depth of the air flow channel along the length of the air flow channel.