Modular Plenum Closure Panel for Asymmetrical Compressor Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flow control structures for compressors require different engine hardware configurations to manage asymmetrical airflow, leading to inefficiencies and increased manufacturing complexity.

Innovation Solution

A plenum assembly with modular components, including a plenum housing and panels with flow control features, allowing for flexible positioning and configuration to balance airflow symmetry using the same engine hardware across different inlet configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If different flow control structure configurations are used to manage asymmetrical airflow, then compressor operation stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and hardware variability increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor operation stabilityVSAvoidhardware variability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow control structure is segmented into a modular panel assembly that can be independently configured. The panel is divided into a forward portion and an aft portion that can be positioned at different locations within the plenum, allowing flexible adaptation to various airflow asymmetry conditions without requiring completely different hardware configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The panel assembly is designed to be movable and repositionable within the plenum, allowing the flow control structure to be dynamically adjusted to different locations. This enables the same hardware to adapt to different airflow conditions by changing its position rather than requiring multiple fixed configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If flow control structure is clocked toward higher flow momentum side to balance flow, then airflow symmetry is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow symmetryVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The panel assembly is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple functions by being positioned at different locations within the plenum. The same panel can be used to balance airflow asymmetry on either the left or right side by simply changing its position, eliminating the need to manufacture different clocked configurations for different asymmetry conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The panel is pre-configured with flow control features during manufacturing, but its final orientation and position are determined during assembly based on the specific airflow conditions. This allows the manufacturing process to produce a single standardized component that can be subsequently positioned to achieve the desired flow balancing effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12553450B2Plenum closure panel with integrated airflow direction device

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP

AI summary

A plenum assembly for a compressor has a plenum housing defining a radially inward entry to a compressor and an outer circumference, and at least two open areas in the outer circumferences which are defined by at least two plenum flanges; an inlet duct connected to a first plenum flange of the at least two plenum flanges; and a panel having a flow control feature, wherein the panel is connected to a second plenum flange of the at least two plenum flanges.