Inductive Turbomachinery Assembly for On-Engine 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

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the size of the electrical generator is increased to meet increasing power demands, then the electrical power generation capacity is improved, but the weight and drag onboard the aircraft increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power generation capacityVSAvoidweight onboard aircraft

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the electrical generator with the gas turbine engine by mounting the generator on the engine core, specifically utilizing the engine's rotational energy directly. This integration merges two separate systems (engine and generator) into a unified structure, allowing power generation without requiring a separate nacelle or additional weight on the aircraft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The gas turbine engine serves dual functions: it generates thrust for the aircraft and simultaneously generates electrical power through the integrated generator. The engine core acts as a universal platform that provides both mechanical propulsion and electrical energy, eliminating the need for dedicated power generation equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Power

If the size of the electrical generator is increased to meet increasing power demands, then the electrical power generation capacity is improved, but the aircraft drag increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power generation capacityVSAvoidaircraft drag

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the generator with the engine core, the patent eliminates the need for a separate nacelle structure. This merging of systems removes the additional aerodynamic surfaces and structures that would create drag, while still providing the required electrical power generation capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a mechanical gearbox is used to drive the electrical generator, then the generator can be mounted within the nacelle, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegenerator mounting capabilityVSAvoidmechanical gearbox complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the mechanical gearbox from the system by directly coupling the generator to the engine core. This elimination of the intermediate mechanical transmission component simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the generator's mounting capability within the engine assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical gearbox system with a direct mechanical coupling to the engine core. Instead of using complex gear mechanisms for speed reduction and power transmission, the generator is directly driven by the engine's rotational energy, substituting a simple direct-drive mechanism for a complex geared system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12448893B1Electromagnetic inducer for gas turbine rotating turbomachinery

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP

AI summary

Gas turbine engines include fan, compressor, combustor, and turbine sections. An electric machine assembly includes a rotating component comprising a plurality of airfoils and a plurality of first electric machine elements, with each airfoil including a respective first magnetic material electric machine element. A housing is arranged radially outward from the airfoils and includes a circumferential slot. A second electric machine element is arranged within the circumferential slot in the form of a circumferential winding arranged radially outward from the rotating component. A control system is electrically connected to the second electric machine element. Rotation of the rotating component causes the first electric machine elements to generate a magnetic flux and induce a current within the second electric machine element and the control system is configured to distribute the induced current to at least one of a storage device or electrical components of the gas turbine engine.