Dual-Spool Gas Turbine Electrical System Transient Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine systems face limitations in efficiently generating electrical power and managing electrical transients, which can impact engine performance and component longevity.
Innovation Solution
A gas turbine engine with a dual spool configuration and an integrated electrical system that includes two electrical machines, one coupled to each spool, and an energy storage system, which allows for parallel power generation and management of electrical buses to regulate voltage and absorb transients, thereby enhancing power generation capability and fault tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single electrical machine is used to generate electrical power from the gas turbine engine, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and fault tolerance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical power generation system is segmented into two independent electrical machines: a high-pressure electrical machine coupled to the high-pressure spool and a low-pressure electrical machine coupled to the low-pressure spool. This segmentation allows each machine to independently contribute to power generation, improving fault tolerance since the failure of one machine does not completely disable power generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters by allowing flexible power distribution from the two electrical machines to different electrical buses based on power demand conditions. The controller can adjust the power contribution from each machine and distribute power to primary and secondary electrical buses, enabling adaptive response to varying operational requirements.
2Productivity
If electrical power is generated from a single spool, then the device complexity is reduced, but the power generation capability and fuel efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The gas turbine engine is divided into two independent spool systems: a high-pressure spool with its own electrical machine and a low-pressure spool with its own electrical machine. This segmentation enables each spool to independently generate electrical power, doubling the potential power generation capability compared to a single-spool configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Both the high-pressure spool and low-pressure spool serve dual functions: they drive their respective electrical machines for power generation while also maintaining the core gas turbine propulsion function. This multi-functionality allows the engine to simultaneously generate mechanical thrust and electrical power from both spools.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If electrical transients are not managed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the engine components suffer adverse effects and longevity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
An energy storage system acts as an intermediary between the two electrical machines and the electrical buses. This intermediary component absorbs electrical transients and power fluctuations, protecting the engine components from adverse effects while extending engine life. The energy storage system mediates the power flow and smooths out transient disturbances.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage system provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-configured to absorb electrical transients before they can damage engine components. This protective measure is built into the system architecture, cushioning against voltage spikes and power fluctuations that would otherwise reduce component longevity.
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 enables efficient electrical power generation and management, reducing the adverse effects of electrical transients on engine components, improving fuel efficiency, and extending engine life by dynamically sharing power between the high and low pressure spools.
Implementation Method 1
two electrical machines, one in mechanical communication with the high pressure spool and one in mechanical communication with the low pressure spool
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine includes first and second electrical machines coupled to the gas turbine engine, each of the first and second electrical machines electrically coupled to both a primary electrical bus and a secondary electrical bus. The gas turbine includes a first controller configured to control operation of the gas turbine engine, and a second controller coupled to the first controller, the second controller configured to respond to control inputs from the first controller and control an electrical output of the first and second electrical machines to the primary and secondary electrical busses. A converter controller is coupled to an energy storage system, the second controller, the primary electrical bus, and the secondary electrical bus.