Gas Turbine Compressor Assembly for Nested Multi-Stage Bleed Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bleed air extraction from gas turbine engines poses packaging challenges due to pressure requirements, leading to complications in maintaining desired flow rates and bleed pressure recovery.
Innovation Solution
A compressor assembly with multi-cavities and nested bleed arrangements in axial and circumferentially segmented directions, enabling controlled bleed air mass flow through flexible valves and pipes, allowing for efficient multi-stage bleed extraction without increasing compressor size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bleed air is extracted from the compressor, then turbine cooling and cabin pressurization are enabled, but packaging challenges arise and bleed pressure recovery is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested bleed cavities where a first bleed cavity and a second bleed cavity are positioned such that they overlap in the axial direction. The second bleed cavity is arranged within the radial extent of the first bleed cavity, creating a nested configuration. This allows multiple bleed extraction points to be integrated within the compressor structure without increasing overall device complexity or compromising packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes circumferential segmentation to arrange bleed scoops at different circumferential locations around the compressor. By distributing bleed extraction points across multiple dimensions (axial, radial, and circumferential), the system achieves versatile bleed air extraction while maintaining compact packaging and avoiding interference with other compressor components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bleed cavities are arranged in axial and circumferential directions, then multi-stage bleed extraction is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bleed extraction system into multiple discrete bleed cavities (first bleed cavity, second bleed cavity) positioned at different axial and circumferential locations. Each cavity is served by dedicated bleed scoops that extract air from specific compressor stages. This segmentation enables independent control and extraction from multiple stages while maintaining a modular structure that does not excessively increase device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested bleed cavity arrangement serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables bleed extraction from different compressor stages, provides flexible flow rate control through individual bleed scoops, and maintains compact packaging. The same nested cavity structure supports both the first and second bleed extraction systems, reducing overall structural complexity despite the multi-stage extraction capability.
3Productivity
If bleed scoops are positioned at specific compressor stages, then desired flow rates are achieved, but bleed pressure recovery is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions bleed scoops at specific compressor stages (upstream and downstream stages) to extract air at different pressure levels. The first bleed scoop extracts air from an upstream stage while the second bleed scoop extracts from a downstream stage. This localized extraction approach allows optimization of flow rates for different bleed requirements while minimizing the impact on overall compressor performance and pressure recovery by distributing the extraction load across multiple stages.
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor assembly includes a compressor casing, a blade row inside the compressor casing, first and second bleed cavities defined at first and second axial locations in the compressor casing with the second axial location at least partially overlapping the first axial location in an axial direction, and first and second bleed scoops defining first and second inlets to first and second bleed cavities, respectively. The first bleed scoop extends from a first compressor stage to the first bleed cavity to direct compressed air from the first compressor stage through the first inlet and into the first bleed cavity. The second bleed scoop defines a second inlet to the second bleed cavity. The second bleed scoop extends from a second compressor stage to the second bleed cavity to direct compressed air from the second compressor stage through the second inlet and into the second bleed cavity.