Heat Engine Frame With Plenum For Anti-Icing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-icing systems for heat engines, such as those in turbo machines, inadequately heat the inlet duct, leading to potential damage from debris and distortion of airflow, which can result in diminished performance and structural integrity issues while also increasing weight and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A thermal management system featuring a frame with a double wall structure that includes a plenum and multiple openings for fluid communication, allowing heated fluid to be distributed along the inner and outer walls to prevent icing and distortion, thereby improving aerodynamic performance and structural integrity without requiring oxidizer from the compressor section.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If known anti-icing systems provide heat to the inlet duct, then icing is mitigated, but the geometry of the inlet duct is distorted, leading to asymmetric airflows and diminished compressor performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-icing effectivenessVSAvoidinlet duct geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inlet duct is segmented into multiple sections with independent heating zones. Each section can be heated separately to maintain overall geometric integrity while providing localized anti-icing protection, preventing the distortion that occurs with uniform heating of the entire duct.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Heating elements are strategically positioned only in specific high-risk zones where icing is most likely to occur, rather than heating the entire inlet duct. This localized approach provides adequate anti-icing protection while minimizing thermal distortion of the duct geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If known anti-icing systems insulate or heat the inlet duct, then some icing protection is provided, but the heating is insufficient to fully prevent icing and debris accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveicing protectionVSAvoiddebris accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies heat to the inlet duct before icing and debris accumulation can occur, creating a preventive thermal barrier. By maintaining the duct surface temperature above freezing conditions in advance, the system prevents ice formation and reduces debris adhesion rather than attempting to remove established accumulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heating system operates continuously or in near-continuous cycles to maintain thermal protection throughout the operating range. This continuous thermal action ensures consistent prevention of icing and debris accumulation across varying flight conditions, rather than intermittent heating that allows conditions to deteriorate between cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If thermal management systems add components for fluid passages and heating, then anti-icing capability is improved, but weight and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal management capabilityVSAvoidinlet duct assembly weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal management system is merged with the existing inlet duct structure by integrating heating elements and fluid passages directly into the duct walls. This integration eliminates the need for separate external heating components and insulation layers, providing full thermal management capability while minimizing additional weight and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inlet duct structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the primary airflow path, incorporates integrated heating elements for anti-icing, and includes embedded temperature sensors for control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated anti-icing components, reducing overall system weight and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system effectively mitigates icing and distortion, enhances engine performance by maintaining oxidizer flow for combustion, and reduces weight and complexity by decoupling the outer and inner walls, ensuring efficient heat transfer and improved airflow.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal management system featuring a frame with a double wall structure that includes a plenum and multiple openings for fluid communication, allowing heated fluid to be distributed along the inner and outer walls to prevent icing and distortion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

ensuring efficient heat transfer and improved airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11326519B2Frame for a heat engine

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A frame for a heat engine, the frame including an inner wall extended from an inlet end to an outlet end, the inner wall forming at least in part a core flowpath, the inner wall comprising a plenum formed between an outer portion of the inner wall and an inner portion of the inner wall, wherein a cavity is formed inward of the inner portion of the inner wall, and wherein the inner wall includes a first plenum opening providing fluid communication between the cavity and the plenum, and wherein the inner wall comprises a second plenum opening providing fluid communication between the plenum and the core flowpath.