Multi-valve Modulated Core Ventilation for Gas Turbine Engines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face a challenge in maintaining an optimal temperature environment for external components located in the outside core annular region, which affects their useful life and increases thrust-specific fuel consumption (TSFC) due to the bleeding of fan bypass air for cooling purposes.
Innovation Solution
A fan air circulation system with selectively controllable valves is implemented to manage the flow of fan bypass air into the outside core annular region, allowing for varying flows based on operational conditions to optimize cooling and minimize TSFC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fan bypass air is bled off for cooling external components, then the temperature environment for external components is improved, but the thrust-specific fuel consumption (TSFC) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamically controllable valves that can adjust their opening degree based on real-time operating conditions. The controller receives input from sensors monitoring engine parameters and automatically adjusts valve positions to optimize the balance between cooling requirements and thrust-specific fuel consumption, transitioning from static to dynamic control
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow parameters of fan bypass air by adjusting valve opening degrees to different positions. By varying the flow rate parameter dynamically according to engine operating conditions, the system achieves optimal cooling effectiveness while minimizing the negative impact on TSFC
2Temperature
If fan bypass air is bled off for cooling external components, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the useful life of external components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the temperature environment in the outside core annular region and feed this information back to the controller. The controller processes this feedback and adjusts valve positions accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains temperatures within optimal ranges for component longevity
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamically adjustable valves respond to changing operating conditions in real-time, ensuring that cooling effectiveness is optimized for each specific工况. This dynamic adaptation prevents both overheating (which would reduce component life) and excessive cooling (which would waste energy)
3Duration of action of stationary object
If expensive high operating temperature capable external components are used, then the useful life of external components is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potentially harmful thermal environment into a beneficial controlled cooling system. By actively managing the temperature environment through fan bypass air circulation, standard components can operate within their designed temperature ranges, eliminating the need for expensive high-temperature capable components
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the engine's own fan bypass air, which is already available in the system, to provide cooling for external components. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate cooling systems or specialized high-temperature components, reducing both complexity and cost
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
This system effectively cools external components while reducing the amount of fan bypass air bled off, thereby improving the TSFC and extending the life of external components by providing tailored cooling according to thermal demands.
Implementation Method 1
Each respective valve is selectively controllable to control fan bypass air flow through the respective valve and into the outside core annular region
Implementation Method 2
Some amount of the thermal energy developed within the core of the engine is transferred to the outside core annular region
Implementation Method 3
The thermal energy developed is particularly significant during certain operational phases; e.g., maximum power at take-off, and the like
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine is provided that includes fan, compressor, combustor, and turbine sections, an outer casing, an outside core annular region, and a fan air circulation system. The engine has a core gas path that is disposed radially inside of the outer casing. A fan bypass air duct is defined by inner and outer radial flow path boundaries. The outside core annular region is disposed radially between the outer casing and the inner radial boundary flow path boundary. The fan air circulation system has a plurality of inlet ports, valves, and exit ports. The fan air circulation system is configured such that a respective inlet port is in fluid communication with a respective valve, and the respective valve is in fluid communication with a respective exit port. Each valve is selectively controllable to control fan bypass air flow therethrough and into the outside core annular region.