Duct Flow Conditioner for Uniform Profile in Short Axial Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face inefficiencies due to maldistributed fluid flow in ducts, caused by upstream structures, leading to non-uniform velocity profiles and increased pressure losses, which conventional flow conditioners cannot effectively address in shorter duct lengths without significant space or energy losses.
Innovation Solution
A directional flow conditioning system that includes a preconditioner and a stationary flow geometry structure, which directs fluid flow to restore homogeneity and achieve a uniform velocity profile with minimal pressure drop, utilizing a combination of passageways and geometry to condition fluid flow within a shorter axial length than conventional systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional flow conditioners are used to correct maldistributed flow, then flow uniformity is improved, but the axial length required becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The flow conditioner is divided into multiple discrete elements (blades or vanes) arranged in a circumferential array. Each element independently redirects flow in specific angular sectors, allowing distributed correction of maldistributed flow patterns throughout the duct cross-section simultaneously, achieving flow uniformity in a compact axial space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from axial flow conditioning to circumferential flow conditioning by arranging blades in a radial pattern around the duct perimeter. This circumferential arrangement enables flow redirection in the azimuthal direction, correcting angular flow non-uniformities without requiring extended axial length, thus resolving the contradiction between flow uniformity and axial compactness.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional flow conditioners are used to correct maldistributed flow, then flow uniformity is improved, but energy losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Each blade element is designed with specific geometry and orientation tailored to correct flow non-uniformities in its local angular sector. The blades have varying pitch angles and chord lengths optimized for their respective positions, allowing localized flow correction with minimal disruption to overall flow energy, thereby reducing pressure losses while achieving flow uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade geometry parameters (pitch angle, chord length, thickness distribution) are optimized to minimize flow separation and turbulence. By carefully controlling these geometric parameters, the conditioner achieves effective flow redistribution while maintaining attached flow and minimizing energy dissipation, thus resolving the contradiction between flow uniformity and energy conservation.
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 system effectively reduces maldistributed flow conditions, improving the efficiency of downstream components like heat exchangers by providing a uniform flow profile with minimal space and pressure loss, making it suitable for aerospace propulsion applications where diffusion lengths need to be minimized.
Implementation Method 1
a preconditioner having a flow deflecting feature which directs the entire flow in the duct toward a preselected portion of the duct, increasing gas pressure and reducing gas velocity
Implementation Method 2
A predetermined flow profile can then by developed by a structure of stationary flow geometry downstream of the preconditioner that restores homogeneity to the flow profile in the radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A flow conditioning system for a duct. The flow conditioning system includes a preconditioner that modifies upstream fluid flow that is maldistributed, providing predictable downstream flow to fluid flowing within the duct. The directional flow conditioner also includes a stationary flow geometry structure downstream of the preconditioner. The stationary flow geometry structure further conditions the upstream fluid flow from the preconditioner to provide a downstream flow with a substantially uniform flow profile. The flow conditioning system transforms upstream fluids having a maldistributed flow profile such as may be caused by a component, structure or obstruction within the duct to a substantially uniform flow profile downstream of the flow conditioning system within the available axial duct length so that the fluid may interact efficiently with equipment such as heat exchangers positioned within the duct downstream of the flow conditioning system.