Integrated Electromagnetic Inducer for Gas Turbine Power Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine engines face challenges in generating electrical power onboard aircraft without increasing the size of the electrical generator, which leads to weight and drag issues, impacting engine efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Integrate an electric machine assembly into the rotating components of the gas turbine engine, utilizing magnetic induction to generate electrical power, where rotating first electric machine elements induce a current in a stationary second electric machine element, with a control system managing power distribution and balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the size of the electrical generator is increased to meet increasing power demands, then electrical power generation capacity is improved, but weight and drag increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical generator with the gas turbine engine's rotating components, specifically integrating the generator rotor with the compressor rotor or fan rotor. This merging allows the generator to utilize the existing rotational motion of the engine components, eliminating the need for a separate drive shaft and gearbox, thereby generating electrical power without increasing overall system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating components of the gas turbine engine serve dual functions: they perform their primary function of compressing air or moving air for thrust, and simultaneously function as the rotor for the electrical generator. This multi-functionality allows the same components to generate electrical power while maintaining their original aerodynamic roles, avoiding additional weight from dedicated generator components.
2Power
If the size of the electrical generator is increased to meet increasing power demands, then electrical power generation capacity is improved, but aircraft drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The generator is merged with the existing rotating components within the engine nacelle, utilizing the same rotational motion and space. This integration avoids adding separate external generator assemblies that would increase drag, as the generator components are housed within the existing engine structure where they do not create additional aerodynamic resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension within the existing engine nacelle structure to accommodate the generator components. By arranging the stator windings radially around the rotating components and placing them within the existing nacelle volume, the design generates additional power capacity without extending the external dimensions of the engine, thereby avoiding increased drag.
3Power
If a mechanical gearbox is used to drive the electrical generator, then power transmission is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the mechanical gearbox from the power transmission system. Instead of using a separate gearbox to couple the engine rotor to the generator rotor, the design directly couples the generator rotor with the engine's rotating components (compressor rotor or fan rotor), removing the intermediate mechanical transmission elements and simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The generator rotor is merged with the engine's rotating components, creating a unified structure where the same rotational motion drives both the primary engine function and the electrical generation. This direct coupling eliminates the need for separate power transmission mechanisms like gearboxes, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective power transmission.
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
Generates electrical power efficiently without increasing generator size, improves shaft speed alignment, and maintains component balance, reducing weight and drag while enhancing engine efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Rotation of the rotating component causes the plurality of first electric machine elements to generate a dynamic magnetic flux to induce a current within the second electric machine element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Gas turbine engines include fan, compressor, combustor, and turbine sections. An electric machine assembly (300) includes a rotating component (302) comprising a plurality of airfoils (304) and a plurality of first electric machine elements (310), with each airfoil (304) including a respective first magnetic material electric machine element (310). A housing (308) is arranged radially outward from the airfoils (304) and includes a circumferential slot (314). A second electric machine element (312) is arranged within the circumferential slot (314) in the form of a circumferential winding arranged radially outward from the rotating component (302). A control system (318) is electrically connected to the second electric machine element (312). Rotation of the rotating component (302) causes the first electric machine elements (310) to generate a magnetic flux and induce a current within the second electric machine element (312) and the control system (318) is configured to distribute the induced current to at least one of a storage device or electrical components of the gas turbine engine.