Heat Shielding for Turbine Inlet Bleed Heat Feed Pipes

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Solution Overview

Problem

In gas turbine engines, the recirculation of hot compressor discharge air for inlet bleed heat control can cause overheating and melting of downstream silencer modules due to thermal mixing, leading to operational issues and reduced service life.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a heat shielding component, such as an arcuate sheet or thermal insulating material, is positioned across the feed pipes and silencer panels to reduce heat transfer and protect the silencer assembly from excessive thermal conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hot compressor discharge air is recirculated for inlet bleed heat control, then compressor ratio protection is achieved, but downstream silencer modules overheat and melt

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor ratio protectionVSAvoidthermal overload on silencer modules

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A heat shielding component is introduced as an intermediary element positioned between the feed pipes carrying hot compressor discharge air and the downstream silencer modules. This heat shield intercepts and blocks thermal energy transfer, protecting the silencer modules from overheating while allowing the IBH system to continue providing compressor ratio protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful thermal energy that would otherwise damage the silencer modules into a beneficial protective function. The heat shielding component captures the thermal energy from the hot bleed air and redirects it away from the silencer modules, transforming what was a harmful effect into a controlled thermal management solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Manufacturing precision

If feed pipes are positioned close to the silencer for thermal mixing, then system parameters are met, but silencer modules are exposed to excessive heat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem parameter complianceVSAvoidsilencer module temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heat shielding component serves as a physical intermediary that allows the feed pipes to maintain their optimal positioning for thermal mixing while preventing excessive heat transfer to the silencer modules. The heat shield creates a thermal barrier that decouples the thermal interaction between the hot bleed air and the silencer modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat shielding is applied locally at specific positions where thermal exposure is most critical, rather than requiring a complete redesign of the feed pipe positioning or silencer configuration. This localized protection maintains system parameter compliance while addressing the overheating issue at the most vulnerable points.

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 heat shielding component effectively reduces thermal conductivity between the feed pipes and silencer panels, preventing overheating and extending the service life of the silencer modules by blocking radiated heat and maintaining airflow through the feed pipes.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation blocking: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

The implementation of a heat shielding component, such as an arcuate sheet or thermal insulating material, is positioned across the feed pipes and silencer panels to reduce heat transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11319877B2Inlet bleed heat system for use in a turbine engine

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

An inlet bleed heat (IBH) system for use in a turbine engine including a silencer assembly. The inlet bleed heat (IBH) system includes a feed pipe for delivering compressor discharge air. The feed pipe includes a plurality of orifices along at least a portion of a length of the feed pipe, and each orifice of the plurality of orifices extends through a wall of the feed pipe for allowing the compressor discharge air to exit the feed pipe. The system also includes a heat shielding component that extends across the feed pipe, wherein the heat shielding component is configured to reduce heat transfer between the feed pipe and the silencer assembly of the turbine engine.