Microchannel Cooling for Gas Turbine Electric Device Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in managing increasing electrical power demands due to growing requirements from processors, actuators, and accessories, which can limit operation by decreasing operating margins at peak demand, especially when relying on high-pressure driven electric generators.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a low-pressure electric device with a microchannel cooling system that includes a network of micropassageways within a housing, arranged radially inward of the stator, to efficiently remove heat from the annular core of an electric motor, generator, or motor-generator, using coolant such as air from the fan to enhance thermal communication and heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high-pressure driven electric generators are used to meet increasing electrical power demands, then power output is improved, but operating margins decrease at peak demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrical power generation system into two independent segments: a high-pressure generator and a low-pressure generator. This segmentation allows each generator to operate within its optimal range, with the low-pressure generator handling peak demand without compromising the operating margins of the high-pressure generator, thus resolving the contradiction between power output and reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical power demands from processors, actuators, and accessories increase, then system capability is improved, but operating margins decrease at peak demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal electrical power system where two generators (high-pressure and low-pressure) can independently or concurrently supply power to meet varying demands. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different operational scenarios while maintaining adequate operating margins through the low-pressure generator's contribution during peak demand.
3Temperature
If a microchannel cooling system is implemented in the electric device, then heat removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a microchannel cooling system that utilizes fluid (hydraulic principle) flow through precisely engineered microchannels to achieve efficient heat removal. The microchannels create high surface-area-to-volume ratios that dramatically improve thermal transfer efficiency, while the fluid-based cooling approach remains integrated within the existing engine architecture, balancing enhanced cooling performance with acceptable system complexity.
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 microchannel cooling system effectively manages heat removal from the electric device, optimizing operational flexibility and power management by maintaining operational margins during peak demand, thereby enhancing the performance and reliability of gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
a microchannel cooling system arranged radially inward of the stator in thermal communication with the annular core to pass coolant for removing heat from the stator
Implementation Method 2
The micropassageways may include inlet passageways for receiving coolant and outlet passageways for discharging heated coolant
Implementation Method 3
a rotor rotationally coupled to the low pressure drive shaft and disposed about the stator in electromagnetic communication
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine includes an electrical device and a microchannel cooling system in communication with the electrical device to remove heat.