Nose Cone Assembly Air Circulation for Gas Turbine Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incorporating a thermal management system into gas turbine engines is challenging due to the complexity of airflow circulation pathways and fluid lines, which affects the efficiency and durability of bearing assemblies under high thermal loads.
Innovation Solution
A nose cone assembly with a frustoconical pattern of apertures and a frustoconical-shaped heat exchanger, combined with a discharge member and air pump driven by the gas turbine engine's shaft, facilitates efficient air circulation and fluid cooling, enhancing thermal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thermal management system is incorporated into gas turbine engines, then the durability and efficiency of bearing assemblies are improved, but the complexity of airflow circulation pathways and fluid lines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat exchanger, air pump, and airflow circulation pathways into a single integrated nose cone assembly. The heat exchanger is positioned within the nose cone, and the air pump is mounted to the nose cone, creating a compact thermal management system that reduces overall complexity while maintaining effective cooling of bearing assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The nose cone assembly serves multiple functions: it provides structural protection, houses the heat exchanger for thermal management, accommodates the air pump for airflow generation, and directs airflow through integrated pathways. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and reduces system complexity.
2Temperature
If a thermal management system with complex airflow circulation pathways is used, then the cooling efficiency of high temperature fluid is improved, but the ease of operation and integration into gas turbine engines deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger and air pump are integrated into a single nose cone assembly, eliminating the need for separate mounting and complex fluid line connections. This unified design simplifies installation and integration into gas turbine engines while maintaining effective cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The air pump automatically generates airflow to circulate cooling fluid through the heat exchanger, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex control systems. The system is self-contained and requires minimal external intervention for operation.
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 configuration improves the thermal management system's efficiency and applicability by effectively cooling fluids and reducing thermal loads on bearing assemblies, while being compact and self-contained for direct integration into gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
a frustoconical-shaped heat exchanger within the interior space of the nose cone and disposed forward of the discharge member in the interior space
Implementation Method 2
the heat exchanger cools fluid circulating through the discharge member
Implementation Method 3
a nose cone having an array of apertures in a frustoconical pattern in the nose cone and communicating air to an interior space of the nose cone
Implementation Method 4
the discharge member includes a pump that draws air out of the interior space
Data Source
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AI summary
A nose cone assembly (64) for a gas turbine engine (20) and method of circulating air in a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The nose cone assembly includes a nose cone (66) having an aperture (68) and communicating air to an interior space (70) of the nose cone and a discharge member (74) communicating the air out of the nose cone.