Mixer Assembly Fluid Diode for Combustor Oscillation Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional swirler designs in turbo machine combustors experience undesired combustion dynamics due to frequency coupling, leading to damage, efficiency loss, and performance deterioration, primarily caused by swirler tone frequencies and mass flowrate oscillations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a fluid diode within the mixer assembly's vane flow path, which can be a convergent-divergent nozzle or a waveform structure, to minimize frequency coupling by dampening swirler tone frequencies and reducing mass flowrate fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional swirler designs with multiple swirl passages are used, then fuel and air mixing is achieved, but swirler tone frequency and mass flowrate oscillations cause undesired combustion dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid diode is introduced as an intermediary component within the swirler vane flow path. This fluid diode selectively permits flow in one direction while blocking reverse flow, thereby dampening mass flowrate oscillations and swirler tone frequencies without disrupting the overall fuel/air mixing function. The fluid diode acts as a mediator that filters out harmful oscillations while maintaining beneficial flow characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the flow path parameters by incorporating a fluid diode that changes the flow characteristics within the swirler. This structural modification alters the mass flowrate oscillation parameters and swirler tone frequency parameters, transforming the harmful oscillatory flow into a more stable flow pattern while preserving the mixing function.
2Power
If swirler designs are used to deliver swirled fuel/air mixture, then combustion is produced, but frequency coupling results in damage and efficiency loss
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid diode serves as a protective intermediary element that decouples the frequency interactions between upstream and downstream components. By blocking reverse flow and dampening oscillations, it prevents frequency coupling that would otherwise lead to resonant vibrations and structural damage, thereby enhancing combustor reliability while maintaining combustion power.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid diode provides beforehand cushioning by preemptively dampening oscillations and blocking harmful flow reversals before they can propagate through the combustor system. This preventive measure protects against frequency coupling and its damaging effects before they can occur, ensuring sustained reliable operation.
3Quantity of substance
If mass flowrate oscillations occur through swirler vanes, then fuel/air mixing is maintained, but pressure oscillations and noise are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid diode acts as a flow mediator that smooths out mass flowrate oscillations by permitting forward flow while blocking reverse flow. This unidirectional flow control dampens the oscillations that generate pressure waves, thereby reducing noise and vibrations while maintaining adequate fuel/air flow for combustion.
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 fluid diode effectively mitigates or eliminates low-frequency growl and high-frequency pressure oscillations, enhancing the durability, performance, and operability of the combustor assembly and turbo machine by reducing communication between upstream and downstream flows.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid diode disposed within a vane flow path between each pair of vanes of the vane assembly
Implementation Method 2
the fluid diode comprises a convergent-divergent nozzle extended within the vane flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A mixer assembly for a turbine engine is generally provided. The mixer assembly includes a vane assembly including a plurality of vanes configured to direct a flow of oxidizer to mix with a flow of fuel. The vane assembly includes a fluid diode disposed within a vane flow path between each pair of vanes of the vane assembly.