Engine Plenum Particle Deflector Assembly for Core Ingress Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engines, particularly turboprop engines, face issues with smaller debris such as ice particles entering the core section, causing damage to components and reducing efficiency due to existing particle ingestion prevention methods that add complexity, weight, and aerodynamic losses.
Innovation Solution
A particle deflector assembly positioned within the engine plenum deflects particles away from the core section using angled walls and potentially heated surfaces to capture and melt them, preventing entry into the core section without significant aerodynamic performance loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If existing particle ingestion prevention methods are used, then particle protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the particle deflection function from complex active systems and implements it through a simple passive geometric structure - a deflectors assembly with angled surfaces positioned in the plenum. This passive structure uses the existing airflow to naturally deflect particles away from the core section, eliminating the need for complex active particle detection and removal systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflectors assembly acts as an intermediary element between the airflow and the core section. By positioning deflectors in the plenum, the patent creates an intermediate structure that redirects particle-laden airflow away from the core section inlet, preventing particle ingress without requiring direct intervention in the core section itself.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If existing particle ingestion prevention methods are used, then particle protection is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectors assembly is implemented as a simple, lightweight, passive geometric structure that can be easily manufactured and installed. Rather than using heavy, complex active systems, the patent employs a minimalistic design with thin deflectors that provide adequate particle protection while adding minimal weight to the engine.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing particle ingestion prevention methods are used, then particle protection is improved, but aerodynamic losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectors assembly is strategically positioned in the plenum where particle concentration is highest, providing localized particle protection only where needed. The angled surfaces of the deflectors are designed to redirect particles away from the core section inlet while minimizing interference with the main airflow path, thus protecting against particle ingress without significant aerodynamic penalties.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If particle deflector assembly is added, then particle protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectors assembly is divided into multiple individual deflector elements positioned at different locations and angles within the plenum. This segmentation allows each deflector to be manufactured independently using simple processes, and facilitates easier installation, maintenance, and replacement compared to a single complex structure.
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 particle deflector assembly effectively prevents particle ingress, reducing damage to engine components and maintaining efficiency by capturing and melting particles, thus enhancing engine reliability and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a particle deflector assembly disposed at the plenum end wall and including one or more particle deflector walls that extend into the engine plenum. The particle deflector assembly deflects the particles and prevents the particles from flowing into the core section
Implementation Method 2
potentially heated surfaces to capture and melt them
Data Source
AI summary
A turbine engine includes an engine plenum disposed within the turbine engine and defined at least partially by a plenum end wall and a turbo-engine disposed within the engine plenum. The turbine engine causes core air to flow through the engine plenum and into the turbo-engine. A particle deflector assembly is disposed at the plenum end wall. The particle deflector assembly includes one or more particle deflector walls that extend into the engine plenum and capture particles within the core air.