Low Profile Bleed Air Cooler for Gas Turbine Engine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine engines lack an efficient method to cool compressed bleed air within the engine, which is typically cooled outside and then delivered to the aircraft cabin, posing a need for an improved cooling solution within the engine.
Innovation Solution
A bleed air cooler assembly is introduced, comprising a low-profile cooler body with a fluid passage positioned in the annulus between the outer bypass duct and the gas generator case, featuring a detachable connector with an inlet and outlet for cooling compressed bleed air, and an optional spacer for non-cooled bleed air diversion, allowing for efficient heat exchange and flexible installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If compressed bleed air is cooled outside the gas turbine engine, then the cooling effect is achieved, but the engine structure remains simple and no additional components are needed within the engine
Solution Approach 1:
The bleed air cooler is nested within the existing engine structure, specifically positioned in the annulus between the outer bypass duct and gas generator case. The cooler utilizes the available space within the engine assembly, integrating the cooling function without requiring external placement. This nesting approach allows the cooler to be accommodated within the existing engine envelope while providing the desired cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bleed air cooler as an intermediary component between the compressed air plenum and the cabin pressurization system. This intermediary device enables cooling of the bleed air within the engine, serving as a mediator that allows the high-temperature compressed air to be cooled before delivery to the cabin, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving cooling and maintaining structural simplicity.
2Temperature
If a bleed air cooler is installed within the engine, then cooling capability is improved, but the available space in the annulus is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The bleed air cooler is designed with a low profile that extends axially rather than radially, utilizing the axial dimension of the annulus space. By orienting the cooler body axially and keeping the radial profile low, the design efficiently uses the available volume in the annulus between the outer bypass duct and gas generator case, maximizing cooling capability within the constrained space.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooler body is designed with specific local characteristics including a low radial profile and axial extension, optimized for the specific space constraints of the annulus. The connector and mounting features are locally adapted to interface with the outer bypass duct and gas generator case at specific locations, ensuring proper integration while maintaining compact dimensions suitable for the limited available volume.
3Manufacturing precision
If the cooler is positioned at specific locations in the annulus, then proper alignment with the outer bypass duct aperture is achieved, but installation flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bleed air cooler assembly is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow installation at multiple predetermined locations in the annulus. The connector features mounting interfaces that can align with apertures in the outer bypass duct at different positions, enabling the same cooler design to be installed at various locations while maintaining proper alignment and functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system incorporates flexible mounting features that allow the cooler to be positioned at different locations in the annulus. The connector design includes adjustable or variable mounting interfaces that can accommodate different aperture positions in the outer bypass duct, providing dynamic adaptability during installation while ensuring precise alignment through the designed mounting geometry.
4Ease of operation
If a detachable connector is used, then ease of installation and maintenance is improved, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bleed air cooler is segmented into distinct components including the cooler body, connector, and mounting features. The detachable connector is designed as a separate component that can be easily attached and detached from the cooler body, facilitating installation and maintenance operations. This segmentation allows for simplified assembly and disassembly while maintaining functional integrity through proper connection design.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable connector serves as an intermediary component between the cooler body and the mounting structure in the outer bypass duct. This intermediary design enables easy installation and maintenance by allowing the connector to be detached without removing the cooler body from the engine, while the connector itself is designed to provide sufficient structural integrity for the application through appropriate material selection and connection geometry.
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 solution effectively cools compressed bleed air within the gas turbine engine, enhancing cabin comfort while maintaining high-temperature bleed air for anti-ice applications, and allows for interchangeable positions and reduced part counts in twin-engine aircraft configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a cooler body defining a fluid passage within the cooler body... to be cooled in the fluid passage of the cooler body
Data Source
AI summary
A bleed air cooler assembly of a gas turbine engine comprises a cooler body defining a fluid passage therein and a connector detachably affixed with the cooler body installed in an annular bypass air passage.