Floating Heat Shield for Gas Turbine Signature Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines produce high-temperature exhaust products that create detectable heat signatures, posing challenges in design and performance due to thermal soakback and requiring costly materials, especially during low engine load conditions.
Innovation Solution
A heat signature suppression system comprising a heat shield and insulation layer, where the heat shield is supported to float relative to the outer skin on slanted mounts and secured with an attachment system, including a fastener and spacer, to reduce thermal transfer and accommodate movement, and an exhaust conduit with a diffuser to mix exhaust products with coolant, reducing line of sight and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If heat shield is rigidly attached to outer skin, then structural stability is improved, but thermal transfer to outer skin increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary attachment system consisting of spacers and fasteners that create a thermal barrier between the heat shield and outer skin. The spacers act as thermal breakers, allowing the heat shield to be securely positioned while preventing direct thermal conduction to the outer skin, thus resolving the contradiction between structural stability and thermal isolation.
2Strength
If heat shield is firmly secured to outer skin, then structural integrity is improved, but relative movement accommodation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic attachment system where the heat shield can float and move relative to the outer skin through controlled clearance and compliant mounting features. The attachment system allows for thermal expansion, vibration, and operational movements while maintaining structural integrity through elastic deformation and controlled clearances, rather than rigid fixed connections.
3Temperature
If insulation layer is made thicker, then thermal protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes composite material structures combining different layers with varying thermal properties. The insulation system integrates multiple material layers (including thermal barriers and reflective surfaces) that work together to achieve effective thermal protection. This composite approach provides superior thermal performance compared to single-layer thick insulation, reducing the overall thickness and system complexity while maintaining effective thermal protection.
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
Effectively reduces the detectability of gas turbine engines by cooling and inhibiting line of sight to hot components, addressing thermal soakback and allowing the use of less costly materials for the engine components, while maintaining structural integrity and performance across operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an insulation layer disposed between the heat shield and the outer skin
Implementation Method 2
a vane diffuser arranged within the exhaust passageway of the exhaust conduit
Implementation Method 3
The heat shield may be arranged between the outer skin and the exhaust conduit
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods of a casing for a heat suppression system of a gas turbine engine exhaust include a heat shield and an insulation layer for arrangement between the heat shield and an outer skin.