Dual-Sided Electrical Machine for Gas Turbine Power Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine engines face challenges in efficiently extracting electrical power from both high-pressure (HP) and low-pressure (LP) spools, especially at low power levels, leading to reduced engine operability and the need for large generators due to the speed differences between the two.
Innovation Solution
A dual-sided, dual-shaft electrical machine with a fixed stator and independently rotatable rotor elements connected to both HP and LP turbine shafts, featuring inner and outer multi-phase winding sets for separate power generation and excitation, allowing for electromagnetic coupling and independent operation of each rotor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a single electrical generator is used to extract power from the HP spool, then electrical power generation is efficient, but the engine loses operability at low power levels when additional electrical power is demanded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single electrical power generation function into two separate generators: one connected to the HP spool and another to the LP spool. This segmentation allows independent control of power extraction from each spool, enabling the system to meet high electrical power demands without compromising engine operability at low power levels.
2Power
If a generator is connected to the LP spool to increase power availability, then additional electrical power can be generated, but the generator size becomes impractically large due to the lower rotational speed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two generators of different sizes and speeds into a single integrated electrical power generation system. The HP-connected generator (smaller, higher speed) and LP-connected generator (larger, lower speed) work together to provide the total required electrical power, with each generator optimized for its specific operating conditions.
3Speed
If electrical power is extracted from the HP spool, then high-speed power generation is achieved, but the power available on the HP spool is reduced when additional power is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a multi-functional power extraction system where both the HP spool and LP spool serve as power sources for electrical generation. The HP spool continues to provide high-speed power generation while the LP spool provides additional power capacity, making the overall system more versatile in meeting different power demands.
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
Enables efficient power extraction from both HP and LP spools, reducing engine operability issues and allowing for compact motor/generator designs capable of generating electric power across a range of speeds, with independent operation and fault tolerance.
Implementation Method 1
The inner and outer rotors are concurrently driven by rotatable shafts of the first and second turbines. The independent first and second rotor shafts of the electrical machine rotate the first and second rotors, respectively, at different speeds. One of the rotors operates as a generator and the other operates as a motor.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine assembly includes an electromagnetic machine for extracting power from the turbine engine. The electromagnetic machine includes an outer rotor and an inner rotor rotatably supported adjacent to a stator disposed between the inner and outer rotors. The stator has an inner set of windings disposed on an inner surface adjacent to the inner rotor, and an outer set of windings on an outer surface of the stator adjacent to the outer rotor. The inner stator windings form a set of multiple-phase windings, and the outer stator windings form a set of multiple-phase windings.