Gas Turbine Architecture Using Closed Loop Working Fluid Cycle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas turbine engines have thermodynamic efficiencies of less than 50%, leading to significant waste heat rejection and the need for exotic materials and efficiency-reducing cooling flows, with limited opportunities for major improvements in efficiency, weight, and cost reduction.

Innovation Solution

A gas turbine engine architecture integrating a closed loop working fluid cycle using supercritical or transcritical carbon dioxide, which eliminates the need for a shaft connection between the air turbine and compressor, allowing for power transmission through a working fluid system and enabling thermal management and waste heat recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional gas turbine engine architecture is used with shaft connection between turbine and compressor, then mechanical power transmission is reliable, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmission reliabilityVSAvoidengine architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical shaft connection system with a fluid-based power transmission system. The air turbine drives a compressor through a working fluid (supercritical or transcritical carbon dioxide) that transmits power hydraulically rather than mechanically, eliminating the need for physical shafts and mechanical couplings while maintaining reliable power transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a hydraulic power transmission system using supercritical or transcritical carbon dioxide as the working fluid. The fluid is pressurized by the air turbine and used to drive the compressor, leveraging hydraulic principles to transmit power without mechanical contact, thereby reducing device complexity and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Power

If conventional gas turbine engine is used, then thermodynamic power generation is achieved, but waste heat rejection is significant and reduces efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generationVSAvoidwaste heat rejection

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful waste heat that would normally be rejected to the environment into a useful resource. The supercritical or transcritical carbon dioxide cycle captures and utilizes this waste heat to drive additional power generation, transforming an energy loss into a benefit that improves overall thermodynamic efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transitions of supercritical or transcritical carbon dioxide to enable efficient heat transfer and power generation. The working fluid undergoes phase changes between supercritical and gaseous states, allowing it to absorb and release large amounts of heat efficiently, thereby capturing waste heat that would otherwise be lost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Power

If conventional gas turbine engine is used, then combustion power is generated, but exotic materials and cooling flows are required which reduce efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion powerVSAvoidmaterial and cooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces supercritical or transcritical carbon dioxide as an intermediary working fluid that mediates between the combustion process and the power generation system. This intermediary allows for more efficient energy transfer and reduces the need for exotic materials and complex cooling flows, as the working fluid can operate at higher temperatures without requiring the same level of thermal management as conventional systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enhances cycle efficiency, reduces weight and cost, and simplifies the engine architecture by allowing independent operation of air-breathing components, achieving up to 10% fuel burn reduction and 40% weight reduction while improving manufacturing and maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the air turbine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a working fluid turbine in fluid communication with the cold sink, the cold sink being in fluid communication with the working fluid compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy to mechanical energy conversion: Heat Engine

Implementation Method 3

the working fluid is supercritical carbon dioxide. In at least one embodiment, the working fluid is transcritical carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS12110811B1Gas turbine architecture integrating a working fluid cycle

Publication Date: 2024.10.08 UNIV OF NOTRE DAME DU LAC

AI summary

A gas turbine engine with a closed loop working fluid cycle.