Indented Insert Tube for Turbine Vane Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

High temperatures within turbine vanes of gas turbine engines can cause significant damage, and existing cooling methods may not effectively reduce dead regions and ensure efficient airflow, leading to inadequate cooling in certain portions of the vane.

Innovation Solution

A metal insert tube with a tubular structure and indented portion is designed to be assembled into the turbine vane, featuring pressure and suction side walls, leading and trailing edges, and impingement apertures, which increases upstream flow rate and reduces dead regions by providing a clearance that enhances airflow towards the trailing edge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional insert tube is used without an indented portion, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but dead regions are formed near the trailing edge resulting in inadequate cooling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidinsert tube structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insert tube is segmented into different geometric zones: a cylindrical section and an indented portion with curved and flat walls. This segmentation allows the cooling airflow to be divided into different paths, with the indented portion specifically addressing the dead region near the trailing edge while the cylindrical section maintains structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The indented portion adds a radial dimension to the insert tube geometry by creating an indentation that extends toward the suction side wall. This dimensional change transforms the simple cylindrical shape into a more complex three-dimensional structure that actively directs cooling airflow to previously unreachable areas near the trailing edge

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the insert tube fits tightly in the cavity, then structural support is improved, but airflow is restricted creating dead regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidairflow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The insert tube applies local quality by creating an indented portion at a specific location (between the trailing edge and pressure side wall) rather than uniformly changing the entire tube geometry. This localized modification provides the necessary clearance for improved airflow while maintaining tight fitting and structural support in other critical areas of the insert tube

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Temperature

If cooling airflow is increased to reduce temperatures, then temperature reduction is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface temperatureVSAvoidcooling air energy

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The indented portion acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the cooling airflow source and the hot surfaces near the trailing edge. By creating a geometric feature that主动 directs and channels the cooling air, the system achieves better temperature reduction with the same amount of cooling air, rather than simply increasing airflow volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 insert tube design increases airflow and reduces surface temperatures by up to 200-300 degrees Fahrenheit in critical portions of the turbine vane, improving cooling efficiency and reducing damage from high temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

The indented portion may provide a clearance between the insert tube and a cavity of the turbine vane. The clearance may allow for increased upstream flow rate from the cavity towards the trailing edge of the turbine vane.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

Pressurized cooling air enters the frame, is forced through the apertures, impinges against the inner walls of the vane, and flows along the passageway to cool the vane.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpingement cooling:

Implementation Method 3

Pressurized cooling air enters the frame, is forced through the apertures, impinges against the inner walls of the vane, and flows along the passageway to cool the vane.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9879554B2Crimped insert for improved turbine vane internal cooling

Publication Date: 2018.01.30 SOLAR TURBINES INC

AI summary

An insert tube of a turbine vane is disclosed. The insert tube includes a pressure side wall, a suction side wall opposite and spaced apart from the pressure side wall, a leading edge, and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge. The insert tube includes a plurality of cooling channels spaced along the pressure side wall. The insert tube includes an indented portion located between the trailing edge and the pressure side wall.