Heat Shield Panel Dimples for Gas Turbine Particulate Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Particulates in the cooling air used for gas turbine engine components, such as dust, ice, ash, and dirt, accumulate on heat shield panels, reducing their cooling efficiency and potentially causing blockages, which can lead to increased temperatures and structural damage.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of dimples on the heat shield panels, specifically designed at impingement points and flow convergence points, to redirect airflow and particulates away from direct collisions, thereby reducing particulate accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cooling air is used to cool heat shield panels, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but particulate accumulation on the panels increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat shield panel temperatureVSAvoidparticulate accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by introducing dimples (spherical indentations) on the heat shield panel surface. These dimples alter the airflow pattern from straight impingement to a curved path, preventing particulates from directly impacting and accumulating on the panel surface while maintaining cooling effectiveness through modified flow convergence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Temperature

If cooling air flow rate is increased to improve cooling, then temperature control is improved, but particulate deposition rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat shield panel temperatureVSAvoidparticulate deposition

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The dimples create curved flow paths that reduce the velocity and directness of particulate-laden air impingement on the panel. This curvature effect allows higher overall cooling flow rates to be used for temperature control without proportionally increasing particulate deposition, as the curved paths distribute and reduce the direct impact of particulates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If flat panel surface is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but particulate accumulation at impingement points increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel manufacturingVSAvoidparticulate accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing dimples only at specific locations (impingement points and flow convergence points) on the panel surface rather than making the entire surface curved. This localized modification maintains relatively simple manufacturing compared to fully curved surfaces while effectively reducing particulate accumulation at the critical areas where it occurs most.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 dimples effectively minimize particulate collection, maintaining airflow speed and efficiency, and preventing blockages, thus enhancing the cooling effectiveness of the heat shield panels.

Implementation Method 1

Particulates in the air used to cool these structures may inhibit cooling of the heat shield

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpingement cooling:

Implementation Method 2

each of the plurality of primary dimples is located at an impingement point on the second surface of the second component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow impingement:

Implementation Method 3

The dimples effectively minimize particulate collection, maintaining airflow speed and efficiency, and preventing blockages

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectParticulate separation:

Data Source

PatentUS12560325B2Apparatus and method for mitigating particulate accumulation on a component of a gas turbine engine

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 RTX CORP

AI summary

A gas turbine engine component assembly comprising: a first component having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a plurality of cooling holes extending from the second surface to the first surface; a second component having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the first component and the second surface of the second component defining a cooling channel therebetween in fluid communication with the cooling hole for cooling the second surface of the second component; and a plurality of dimples located on the second surface of the second component, the plurality of dimples including: a plurality of primary dimples, wherein each of the plurality of primary dimples is located at an impingement point on the second surface of the second component; and a plurality of secondary dimples, each of the plurality of secondary dimples is located at an impingement flow convergence point.