Interstage Flow Control for Axial Turbomachines Facing Hub Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Axial flow turbomachines in series face issues with non-uniform fluid flow, leading to inefficient pressure generation, mechanical stress, and increased risk of mechanical failures due to uneven loading and impact on the hub of the second turbomachine.
Innovation Solution
A flow control device is mounted between turbomachines in series, constraining fluid flow to the periphery and directing it to the impeller blades of the second turbomachine, using stator vanes to straighten and stabilize the flow, thereby reducing hub impact and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If axial flow turbomachines are placed in series to generate higher pressure, then pressure generation capability is improved, but non-uniform fluid flow causes uneven loading and mechanical stress on the hub of the second turbomachine
Solution Approach 1:
A flow control device is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second axial flow turbomachines. This device includes a flow constrainer that directs fluid flow away from the hub region and stator vanes that straighten and stabilize the flow, thereby mediating the interaction between the two turbomachines and eliminating the harmful non-uniform flow effects on the second turbomachine's hub
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control device extracts and removes the harmful non-uniform flow characteristics (swirl, vibrations, and noise) from the fluid stream before it enters the second turbomachine. By taking out these adverse flow conditions, the device protects the second turbomachine from uneven loading and mechanical stress while preserving the pressure generation capability of the series configuration
2Stress or pressure
If axial flow turbomachines are placed in series, then pressure generation is improved, but fluid flow non-uniformity leads to vibrations and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control device converts the harmful non-uniform flow characteristics into beneficial uniform flow patterns. The stator vanes transform the swirling, vibrating flow into straightened, stabilized flow, thereby converting what was previously harmful (vibrations and noise) into a useful uniform flow that improves the operation of the second turbomachine
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control device acts as a mediator that filters and condition the fluid flow between the two turbomachines. By introducing this intermediate flow conditioning stage, the device eliminates vibrations and noise while maintaining the pressure generation benefits of the series configuration
3Stress or pressure
If axial flow turbomachines are placed in series, then pressure generation capability increases, but efficiency decreases due to non-uniform flow impact on the hub
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control device serves as an intermediary that optimizes the flow conditions between the two turbomachines. By directing flow away from the hub and through the blade region, and by straightening the flow with stator vanes, the device ensures that the second turbomachine operates at maximum efficiency while maintaining the pressure generation capability of the series configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control device applies local quality modification by specifically targeting the hub region for flow exclusion and the blade region for flow direction. The stator vanes create localized flow straightening and stabilization zones, thereby optimizing the flow distribution across different regions of the second turbomachine to maximize overall system efficiency
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 device enhances pressure generation and reduces mechanical stress by minimizing non-uniform flow, vibrations, and noise, thus improving the overall performance and reliability of the turbomachine system.
Implementation Method 1
The flow control device constrains fluid flow downstream of the first axial flow turbomachine to the outer region of the rotor of the second axial flow turbomachine
Implementation Method 2
using stator vanes to straighten and stabilize the flow
Data Source
AI summary
A flow control device for constraining fluid flow between axial flow turbomachines in series has a flow constrainer which constrains the fluid flow downstream of the first turbomachine in the series to the blades region of the second turbomachine, preventing fluid flow from impacting the hub or nosecone of the second turbomachine and providing more uniform fluid flow to the second turbomachine. The flow control device includes connective elements for positioning between the downstream region of the first turbomachine and the upstream region of the second turbomachine. The device may be equipped with stator vanes having a variety of optional configurations to further improve the uniformity of the fluid flow load on the second turbomachine.