Outer Platform Leading Edge Cooling Channel for Gas Turbine Vane
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Solution Overview
Problem
High performance gas turbine engines face challenges in minimizing cooling flow consumption while maintaining turbine vane durability, especially due to high temperatures leading to oxidation and low convective cooling of platforms, which degrades engine efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An outer platform leading edge cooling system is introduced, featuring a hollow cooling channel along the platform leading edge with an inlet port for compressor bleed air and an outlet conduit connecting to a trailing edge cavity, optimizing coolant air usage and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cooling flow is increased to protect turbine vane platforms from oxidation and high temperatures, then turbine vane durability is improved, but engine performance deteriorates due to higher cooling flow consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent channels: an inner platform channel and an outer platform channel. The outer platform channel is specifically designed to target the leading edge region most susceptible to oxidation, allowing localized cooling where needed rather than cooling the entire platform structure. This segmentation enables precise delivery of cooling air to critical areas, improving durability while minimizing overall cooling flow consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system applies different cooling strategies to different regions of the platform. The outer platform channel provides intensive cooling to the leading edge region through a hollow cooling structure, while other areas receive cooling through conventional means. This local quality approach ensures that cooling resources are concentrated on the most vulnerable areas, protecting against oxidation without requiring excessive cooling flow across the entire component.
2Productivity
If multiple cooling sources are used to optimize cooling air usage, then efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the outer platform cooling channel with the trailing edge cavity system. The outer platform channel terminates by communicating with the trailing edge cavity, which then distributes cooling air to the trailing edge region. This merging of functions allows a single cooling air source to serve multiple cooling needs (outer platform and trailing edge), improving cooling efficiency while avoiding the complexity of entirely separate cooling systems for each region.
3Reliability
If cooling channels are added to the outer platform leading edge, then cooling capability is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer platform channel structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a cooling channel, provides structural support to the leading edge, and integrates with the trailing edge cavity system. By designing the outer platform with this multi-functional hollow channel structure, the same component performs cooling, structural, and flow distribution roles, enhancing cooling capability without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
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 solution enhances cooling capabilities while reducing cooling air consumption, addressing high distress regions and improving efficiency by internal convection and re-purposing coolant air for film cooling, thus extending turbine vane life and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a hollow cooling channel (82) configured to receive coolant air from the inlet port (84)
Implementation Method 2
the outlet conduit (92) being connected in fluid flow communication with a trailing edge cavity (72)
Data Source
AI summary
An outer platform leading edge cooling system includes a radially outer platform having a platform leading edge; a hollow cooling channel is defined extending generally longitudinally along the platform leading edge of the radially outer platform; an inlet port located in a radially outer end region of the platform leading edge being fluidly coupled with the hollow cooling channel; and the hollow cooling channel comprising an outlet conduit extending from a cooling channel exit, the outlet conduit being connected in fluid flow communication with a trailing edge cavity.