Aircraft Engine Water Injection Control for Thrust and Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engines face challenges in optimizing water augmentation for improved engine power, emissions, and durability due to varying engine and ambient operating parameters, necessitating a more adaptable and efficient water injection system.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft propulsion systems incorporating a water augmentation system with a tank, multiple injection locations, and a controller to manage water injection based on selected modes, including intercooling, combustor injection, and turbine cooling, along with a monitoring and control system to optimize engine operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is injected into the core flow path to improve engine power and durability, then engine performance is enhanced, but the system complexity increases due to multiple injection locations and mode selection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The water augmentation system is designed with multi-functionality to address different engine needs through a single integrated system. The controller can operate the system in multiple modes (durability mode, emission reduction mode, thrust augmentation mode) and water can be injected at multiple locations (compressor section, combustor, turbine section) to achieve various objectives including improving engine durability, reducing emissions, and augmenting thrust.
Solution Approach 2:
The water augmentation system employs dynamic operation through mode selection based on varying engine and ambient conditions. The controller dynamically adjusts water injection rates, injection locations, and system operation modes according to detected parameters such as engine power requirements, temperature conditions, and flight profiles, allowing the system to adapt to changing operational demands.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple injection locations are used to optimize performance under varying conditions, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The water augmentation system is designed with multi-functionality to address different engine needs through a single integrated system. The controller can operate the system in multiple modes (durability mode, emission reduction mode, thrust augmentation mode) and water can be injected at multiple locations (compressor section, combustor, turbine section) to achieve various objectives including improving engine durability, reducing emissions, and augmenting thrust.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a monitoring system that detects engine operating parameters and water availability, providing feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to automatically adjust water injection rates, select appropriate injection locations, and determine optimal operation modes based on real-time conditions, simplifying the control of the multi-location injection system.
3Productivity
If water injection is dynamically adjusted based on flight profiles and available water, then engine efficiency is optimized, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a monitoring system that detects engine operating parameters and water availability, providing feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to automatically adjust water injection rates, select appropriate injection locations, and determine optimal operation modes based on real-time conditions, simplifying the control of the multi-location injection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The water augmentation system operates autonomously by using detected engine conditions and water availability information to automatically determine optimal operation modes and injection parameters. The controller self-adjusts the system based on feedback from monitoring sensors, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms while maintaining optimized engine efficiency.
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
Enhances engine durability, reduces emissions, and augments thrust by dynamically adjusting water injection based on flight profiles and available water, ensuring efficient operation across varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
water is injected into the compressor section for cooling a portion of an airflow through the compressor section
Implementation Method 2
water is injected into the combustor to increase a mass flow of the exhaust gas expanded through the main turbine section
Implementation Method 3
an injection location into a turbine cooling air flow
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft propulsion system includes a core engine that includes a core flow path through a main compressor where an inlet airflow is compressed and communicated to a combustor to generate an exhaust gas flow that is expanded through a main turbine section to generate power used to drive the main compressor and a propulsive fan. A water augmentation system includes a tank where water is stored and at least one location where water is communicated into the core flow path, and a controller programmed to operate the water augmentation system according to a selected mode of operation, a detected quantity of water and other conditions impacting engine operation.