Gas Turbine Fan Blade Air Circulation for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incorporating a thermal management system into gas turbine engines is challenging due to the complexity of airflow circulation pathways and fluid lines, which affects efficiency and durability.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system for gas turbine engines featuring a nose cone with an aperture communicating air to an interior space, where a heat exchanger is disposed, and a fan blade with a blade passage that extends from the aperture to the blade trailing edge, facilitated by an upstream and downstream air pump system, enhancing airflow circulation and heat exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thermal management system is incorporated into a gas turbine engine, then thermal management efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to the complex network of airflow circulation pathways and fluid lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the thermal management system components (heat exchanger, air pumps, airflow pathways) into an integrated assembly mounted on the fan blade. The heat exchanger is positioned within the fan blade structure, and airflow pathways are routed through the blade itself, merging multiple functions into a unified compact system that reduces overall device complexity while maintaining thermal management efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management system employs a nested configuration where the heat exchanger is disposed within the fan blade interior space, airflow circulation pathways are embedded within the blade structure, and multiple components are arranged in concentric or layered configurations. This nesting approach allows the system to fit within limited engine space while reducing the complexity of external connections and pathways
2Reliability
If a thermal management system with complex airflow circulation pathways is used, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management system is divided into discrete modular components including the heat exchanger, upstream air pump, downstream air pump, and fan blade assembly. Each component can be manufactured separately using optimized processes and then assembled, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the effectiveness of the airflow circulation pathways through standardized interfaces and connections
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 configuration improves thermal management efficiency by effectively circulating air and cooling high-temperature fluids, enhancing engine durability and operation while maintaining a compact and self-contained design.
Implementation Method 1
A thermal management system utilizes a heat exchanger to cool fluids such as oil flowing to and from bearing assemblies or other engine components
Implementation Method 2
a fan blade having a blade passage, wherein the nose cone rotates with the fan blade to circulate air from the aperture to the blade passage
Data Source
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AI summary
A thermal management system (100) and method (200) of circulating air in a gas turbine engine (20) are disclosed. The thermal management system includes a nose cone (102) having an aperture (104) communicating air to an interior space (106) of the nose cone and a fan blade (112) coupled to the nose cone and having a blade passage (114), wherein the nose cone rotates with the fan blade to circulate air from the aperture to the blade passage.