Guide Vane Platform Geometry for Blocking Parasitic Crossflow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines experience parasitic transverse flows and corner separations in guide vanes, leading to aerodynamic blockage and pressure losses, particularly at high air stream incidences, which complicates manufacturing and operation.
Innovation Solution
A guide vane design with specific radius configurations on its guide surfaces forms a recess and depression to block parasitic flows while maintaining a smooth gas stream path, using a profiled part with varying radii to manage flow obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a fin is interposed between two adjacent vanes to block transverse stream, then parasitic flows are blocked, but additional parts require manufacture and mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The fin structure is merged with the vane platform, integrating the flow blocking function into the existing vane component. The platform is designed with a recess that forms the fin structure, eliminating the need for separate fin parts while maintaining the ability to block parasitic transverse flows between adjacent vanes.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform is segmented into multiple surfaces including a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface, with the second lateral surface extending further radially to form the fin. This segmentation allows the flow blocking function to be achieved through geometric configuration of the platform itself rather than additional components.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a fin is machined directly in a vane platform, then parasitic flows are blocked, but manufacture of vanes becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The fin structure is combined with the platform geometry, where the platform's lateral surfaces and recesses form the flow blocking structure. This integration allows the fin function to be achieved through standard vane manufacturing processes without requiring complex additional machining operations.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If corner separation occurs at vane tip, then aerodynamic blockage increases, but boundary layer detachment cannot ensure flow deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is designed with different radial extensions at different locations: the second lateral surface extends further radially to block corner separation and parasitic flows, while the first lateral surface maintains the original flow path. This local differentiation allows the fin structure to be positioned optimally to prevent aerodynamic blockage without interfering with the overall flow deflection capability of the vane.
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
The design effectively reduces parasitic circulation, minimizing aerodynamic blockage and pressure losses, enhancing the operability and efficiency of gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure gradient between the pressure surface (intrados surface) of a vane and the depression surface (extrados surface) of an adjacent vane generates a parasitic transverse flow
Implementation Method 2
at the vane tip, that is to say at the junction between the vane and the inner shroud of the casing or at the junction between the vane and the outer shroud of the casing, a corner separation and a corner vortex can occur
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a guide vane for attachment to a stator shroud of a gas turbine engine, comprising:—a profiled part intended to extend in a gas flow in order to guide the gas flow, the profiled part having a pressure-side surface and a suction-side surface, and—a platform having a guide surface from which the profiled part extends, a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface, the second lateral surface being able to be arranged facing a first lateral surface of an identical adjacent guide vane, fanning a raised portion which prevents a parasitic transverse flow of the gas flow, while creating a depression which at least partially compensates for the obstruction of the gas flow by the raised portion.