Mid-Turbine Frame Thermal Radiation Shield Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact gas turbine engines face efficiency losses due to inadequate thermal protection and insulation between hot and cold gas flows, leading to increased thermal conflicts as components are packed closer together, which hampers the realization of efficiency gains from higher combustion temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A thermal radiation shield is introduced, comprising a mounting base and a ring section configured to block the line of sight between hot and cold fluid flow path boundary walls, securing the shield within an annular cavity defined by these walls, thereby reducing thermal radiation exposure on cold section components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If components are packed closer together to create compact engines, then engine size is reduced, but thermal protection between hot and cold gas flows becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal radiation shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the hot section and cold section. The shield is mounted on the mid-turbine frame and extends radially to block thermal radiation from reaching cold section components, enabling compact packaging while maintaining thermal protection.
2Volume of moving object
If hot section components are disposed in close proximity to cold section components, then engine compactness is improved, but efficiency gains from increased combustion temperatures are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal radiation shield acts as a mediator that allows hot and cold section components to be positioned in close proximity while preventing thermal radiation from the hot section from adversely affecting the cold section, thereby maintaining both compactness and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal protection function is extracted from the structural components and implemented as a separate thermal radiation shield. This allows the hot and cold section components to maintain their close proximity for compactness while the extracted shield provides the necessary thermal isolation.
3Power
If combustion temperatures are increased to improve efficiency, then power output is improved, but thermal conflicts between hot and cold sections intensify
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal radiation shield serves as a mediator that enables higher combustion temperatures and power output by blocking thermal radiation from reaching cold section components, thus preventing thermal conflicts from intensifying despite increased thermal gradients.
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 thermal radiation shield effectively reduces thermal conflicts by reflecting radiation away from cold section components, allowing for higher operating temperatures of the core flow gas path without increasing cooling requirements, thus enhancing engine efficiency and power density.
Implementation Method 1
The ring section is configured to substantially block a line of sight between the hot fluid flow path boundary wall and the cold fluid flow path boundary wall
Implementation Method 2
The thermal radiation shield effectively reduces thermal conflicts by reflecting radiation away from cold section components
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal radiation shield comprises a first mounting base and a ring section. The first mounting base is disposed at a first axial end of the ring section for securing the shield ring section within a generally annular cavity defined at least in part by a hot fluid flow path boundary wall, and a radially adjacent and spaced apart cold fluid flow path boundary wall. The ring section is configured to substantially block a line of sight between the hot fluid flow path boundary wall and the cold fluid flow path boundary wall.