Gas Turbine Oil Tank Passive Thermal Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine oil tank cooling systems face inefficiencies due to inadequate heat management at varying ambient temperatures, leading to either insufficient cooling at high temperatures or excessive cooling at low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an oil tank with structural walls featuring upstanding protrusions immersed in oil and exterior fins exposed to ambient air, facilitating heat transfer between the oil and air stream, allowing for self-regulation of cooling based on temperature and viscosity changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flat structural wall is used to separate hot oil from cooling air stream, then the structure is simple and packaging is efficient, but the cooling effect is insufficient when ambient air temperature is too high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a flat two-dimensional wall to a three-dimensional structure with protrusions and fins. The interior protrusions extend into the oil cavity while exterior fins extend from the wall surface, creating multi-dimensional heat transfer surfaces that dramatically increase the effective heat exchange area without significantly increasing the overall tank volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural wall is segmented into multiple functional surfaces: interior protrusions that extend into the oil cavity and exterior fins that extend from the outer surface. This segmentation creates multiple heat transfer interfaces that work simultaneously to enhance cooling efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If a flat structural wall is used to separate hot oil from cooling air stream, then the structure is simple and packaging is efficient, but the cooling effect is too great when ambient air temperature is too low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs natural convection dynamics where the oil flow pattern and heat transfer rate automatically adjust based on ambient temperature conditions. The protrusions and fins create turbulence in the oil flow, and the system leverages natural convection currents that strengthen or weaken according to temperature differentials, providing self-regulating cooling without mechanical control systems.
3Temperature
If protrusions and fins are added to increase heat transfer area, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat transfer enhancement features directly into the existing structural wall of the oil tank. The protrusions and fins are formed as integral parts of the wall structure, combining the tank wall and heat exchange surfaces into a single integrated component rather than adding separate attachments or assemblies.
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 enhances the effective operating temperature range of the heat management system, reduces weight, and minimizes risks of excessive heating or cooling, while maintaining efficient oil circulation and fuel heating for combustion.
Implementation Method 1
directing the oil through a plurality of upstanding protrusions extending into the oil tank from an interior side of a structural wall of the oil tank, the upstanding protrusions transferring heat between the oil within the oil tank and an ambient air stream
Implementation Method 2
an ambient air stream flowing through a plurality of fins located on an exterior side of the structural wall
Implementation Method 3
the exterior side including a plurality of fins extending therefrom and exposed to an ambient air stream during steady state operation
Data Source
AI summary
An oil tank for a gas turbine engine is provided. The oil tank includes an oil cavity defined within structural walls of a nacelle of the gas turbine engine, the oil cavity having an oil inlet and an oil outlet. At least one of the structural walls has an interior side facing the oil cavity and an exterior side. The interior side includes a plurality of upstanding protrusions extending into the oil cavity and fully immersed in oil when the gas turbine engine is in use during steady state operation. The exterior side includes a plurality of fins extending therefrom and exposed to an ambient air stream during steady state operation of the gas turbine engine.