Gas Turbine Combustor Liner Panel With Hemi-Spherical Protuberances

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine engine combustors face challenges in operating at high compressor exit temperatures, especially at high altitudes where reduced supply pressure results in increased heat loads due to convection and radiation, necessitating enhanced heat transfer capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The combustor liner panel incorporates hemi-spherical protuberances and angled effusion passages to increase surface area and promote turbulence, combined with impingement passages for efficient cooling, enhancing heat transfer and film cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the combustor operates at high compressor exit temperatures with reduced supply pressure at high altitude, then the heat loads from convection and radiation increase, but the heat transfer capability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor exit temperatureVSAvoidheat transfer capability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs hemi-spherical protuberances on the liner panel surface to increase surface area and promote turbulence in the cooling airflow. The curved spherical geometry enhances heat transfer coefficients by creating turbulent flow patterns and increasing the effective heat exchange surface area between the combustion gases and the liner panel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces angled effusion passages that extend through the liner panel at specific angles rather than perpendicular to the surface. This angular configuration adds a dimensional component to the cooling airflow path, allowing coolant to emerge at angles that enhance film cooling effectiveness and increase the path length for heat transfer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of energy

If heat transfer augmentors are added to increase surface area and promote turbulence, then heat transfer coefficient increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer coefficientVSAvoidliner panel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the liner panel structure itself: the liner panel serves as both the thermal barrier and the mounting substrate for heat transfer augmentors. The effusion passages are integrated directly into the liner panel, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining enhanced heat transfer capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration significantly increases the heat transfer coefficient, improves thermal efficiency, and maintains effective cooling even at reduced supply pressures, ensuring sustainable metal temperatures and efficient engine operation.

Implementation Method 1

The combustor liner panel incorporates hemi-spherical protuberances and angled effusion passages to increase surface area and promote turbulence, enhancing heat transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

These operational conditions result in relatively convection and radiation high heat loads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

A effusion passage is defined through the liner panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEffusion: Effusion

Implementation Method 4

At least one of the multiple of impingement flow passages is directed toward the hemi-spherical protuberance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpingement:

Implementation Method 5

A liner panel for a combustor of a gas turbine engine... maintains effective cooling even at reduced supply pressures, ensuring sustainable metal temperatures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3008386B1Gas turbine engine combustor liner panel
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 RTX CORP
  • EP3008386B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3008386B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3008386B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liner panel for a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a multiple of heat transfer augmentors. At least one of the multiple of heat transfer augmentors includes a hemi-spherical protuberance.