Monolithic Air Supply Box for Turbine Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air cooling systems for turbine casings in turbomachines suffer from uneven air distribution, leading to inadequate cooling of certain areas and increased weight due to multi-piece construction, which affects turbine performance and fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece pressurized air supply box with an elbow conduit and air distribution partitions, manufactured via additive laser melting, ensures better air distribution to cooling ramps, optimizing cooling efficiency and reducing weight through a lighter, monolithic design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a multi-piece air supply box is used, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but weight increases and air distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (air supply box body, partitions, outlets) into a single monolithic structure manufactured by additive manufacturing. This eliminates the need for multiple pieces while achieving better air distribution uniformity and reducing weight compared to traditional multi-piece constructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing parameter from traditional subtractive or assembly-based methods to additive manufacturing (selective laser melting). This parameter change enables the creation of complex internal geometries including air distribution partitions and multiple outlets in a single process, improving both weight efficiency and air distribution uniformity.
2Manufacturing precision
If air distribution partitions are added, then air distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air distribution partitions are merged with the main body of the air supply box into a single integrated component. The partitions are formed as internal structures during additive manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate partition components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining air distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes additive manufacturing parameters to create complex internal partition structures that would be difficult to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods. The selective laser melting process enables precise control of material deposition to form optimized air distribution pathways.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional manufacturing methods are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but weight increases and air distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach from traditional methods (casting, welding, assembly) to additive manufacturing with selective laser melting. This parameter change enables weight reduction through optimized material usage and integrated design, while the automated process maintains manufacturing simplicity despite the increased complexity of the final 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 improved air distribution enhances cooling uniformity, boosts engine performance, and allows for lighter, more efficient turbomachine components by leveraging additive manufacturing for a monolithic, lighter structure.
Implementation Method 1
additive manufacturing by laser melting on a powder bed
Implementation Method 2
additive manufacturing by laser melting on a powder bed
Implementation Method 3
cooling by impact of air jets
Implementation Method 4
pressurized air passing through these various perforations thus ensures a ventilation and cooling by impact
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a pressurized-air supply unit (2) for an air-jet cooling device (1) cooling an outer casing (C) of a turbomachine turbine. This unit (2) is notable in that it is monobloc, in that it comprises: – a body (3) which has an interior wall (32) provided with air-ejection perforations (320), an exterior wall (31) and outlet ducts (33, 34) which are configured to be coupled to cooling lines (10) of the cooling device (1), – an elbowed air-conveying pipe (4) coupled by its outlet opening (42) to said exterior wall (31) of the body (3), and in that said unit (2) comprises at least one air-distribution partition (7, 7'), arranged in the outlet opening (42) and connecting the internal face of the portion (431) of the air-conveying pipe (4) that is situated facing the body (3) to the internal face of the opposite portion (432) of the air-conveying pipe.