Gas Turbine Engine Case Lattice Cooling Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine engine designs face challenges in reducing weight and increasing strength while maintaining effective cooling, as external piping systems are complex, costly, and heavy, and do not efficiently manage thermo-mechanical loads or temperature gradients.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of internal cooling passages with a lattice structure within the engine casing, manufactured using additive technology, which allows for optimized structural integrity, reduced weight, and enhanced cooling efficiency by directing cooling air through the engine case, reducing pressure drop and improving thermal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external piping systems are used for cooling the engine case, then cooling effectiveness is achieved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function with the engine case structure itself by integrating internal cooling passages directly into the case walls. This eliminates the need for separate external piping systems while maintaining effective cooling, thereby reducing device complexity and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate porous or honeycomb structure within the engine case that serves as a mediator for cooling. This internal structure allows cooling air to be distributed throughout the case without requiring complex external piping, simplifying the overall system while achieving effective temperature control.
2Temperature
If external piping systems are used for cooling, then cooling is provided, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the cooling passages with the engine case structure, the patent eliminates redundant external piping components. This integration reduces the overall weight of the stationary engine assembly while maintaining effective cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cooling function from external piping and relocates it internally within the engine case structure. This extraction eliminates unnecessary external components and their associated weight, achieving cooling without the penalty of additional stationary weight.
3Strength
If traditional solid wall structure is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but weight reduction and strength optimization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous or honeycomb structures within the engine case walls that provide high strength-to-weight ratios. These porous materials maintain structural integrity while significantly reducing weight compared to traditional solid wall constructions, enabling both strength optimization and weight reduction simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite structures combining different materials and architectures (solid walls with internal porous/honeycomb layers) to achieve optimized strength characteristics. This composite approach allows the engine case to maintain required strength levels while minimizing weight through strategic material placement and structural design.
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 design achieves reduced weight and increased strength, improved cooling effectiveness, and enhanced structural integrity by integrating internal cooling passages with lattice structures, minimizing the need for external piping and optimizing coolant flow, thereby extending engine component life and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
directing cooling air through the engine case
Implementation Method 2
improving thermal management
Implementation Method 3
reducing pressure drop
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7
AI summary
An engine case is provided having a first solid wall region (402) and a second solid wall region (403) with an internal region (401) between the first and second sold wall regions (402, 403). The internal region (401) defines at least one cavity. One or more lattice structures are provided within the cavity that controls the flow of coolant air through the cavity. The cavity may be divided into two or more distinct cooling regions (1101, 1102) for allowing particular coolant flow paths to be provided to different parts of the engine case.