Inlet Guide Vane Draw Heat Exchanger for Gas Turbine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face inefficiencies in thermal management, particularly in transitioning between turbofan and turboshaft modes, where mechanical blowers are often required for heat dissipation, leading to reduced usable shaft horsepower and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An inlet guide vane draw heat exchanger system that utilizes a pressure differential between the fan and heat exchanger inlet to circulate air through a heat exchanger, independent of the inlet guide vane's open or closed position, eliminating the need for mechanical blowers and allowing for efficient heat dissipation in both modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If mechanical blowers are used for heat dissipation in gas turbine engines, then thermal management is achieved, but power consumption increases and usable shaft horsepower decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the fan's own operation to create the pressure differential that drives air through the heat exchanger. The fan's rotation naturally creates a pressure difference between the inlet and outlet, which automatically circulates cooling air without requiring additional mechanical blowers or external power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical blower system with a pressure differential-based flow system. Instead of using a separate mechanical device (blower) to move air through the heat exchanger, the system utilizes the pressure gradient created by the fan's operation to drive the cooling air flow.
2Temperature
If mechanical blowers are used for heat dissipation, then thermal management is achieved, but usable shaft horsepower is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fan serves dual purposes: it provides the primary function of moving air for thrust while simultaneously creating the pressure differential needed for heat dissipation. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate powered blowers, thereby preserving shaft horsepower for productive work.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan is designed to perform multiple functions: it generates thrust by moving air through the engine, and simultaneously creates the pressure differential necessary to drive cooling air through the heat exchanger. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated blowers and maximizes the utilization of the fan's power output.
3Power
If inlet guide vane is closed in turboshaft mode, then thrust production is optimized, but air flow for heat dissipation may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the air flow paths into distinct segments: one path through the inlet guide vane for thrust-related airflow, and another path through the heat exchanger for thermal management. This segmentation allows the inlet guide vane to control thrust airflow independently while the heat exchanger receives air flow through alternative passages, maintaining both functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger acts as an intermediary component that receives air flow from the pressure differential created by the fan, independent of the inlet guide vane position. This intermediary structure enables thermal management to function separately from the thrust control mechanism, allowing both systems to operate optimally in their respective modes.
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
This solution reduces power consumption by eliminating the need for mechanical blowers, enhances thermal management by maintaining adequate air flow through the heat exchanger in both turbofan and turboshaft modes, and allows for seamless transition between operational modes without compromising thrust production.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the respective fans may be rotatable to create a pressure differential between the respective fans and respective inlets of the respective supply passages to induce the second flow of air to the respective fans
Implementation Method 2
An inlet guide vane draw heat exchanger system that utilizes a pressure differential between the fan and heat exchanger inlet to circulate air through a heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a housing for a gas turbine engine, and a fan disposed in the housing to rotate coaxially with a gas turbine included in the housing. The system also includes an inlet guide vane disposed in the housing in axial alignment with the fan and configured to have an open position where a first flow of air is received by the fan through the inlet guide vane, and a closed position where airflow through the inlet guide vane is obstructed. The system further includes a heat exchanger disposed in a supply passage in fluid communication with a second flow of air received by the fan. The second flow of air is received by the fan via the supply passage with the inlet guide vane in the open position or in the closed position.