Outlet Cone Cooling Layout for Turbomachine Component Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high temperature of the primary flow around the outlet cone in turbomachines limits the integration of components due to excessive heat, creating a large unused space.
Innovation Solution
A double-flow turbomachine design with a hollow radial arm conveying a cooling flow from a secondary flow to cool components in the outlet cone, utilizing a cover to channel the cooling flow around and through components, and a thermal insulation space to maximize heat exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If components are integrated in the outlet cone, then the productivity is improved by utilizing previously unused space, but the temperature becomes excessively high making component integration impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet cone is divided into distinct functional zones: a thermal insulation space separated by an inner wall, and component mounting regions. This segmentation allows the cone to simultaneously provide thermal protection for components while maintaining structural integrity and aerodynamic function.
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling flow is introduced as an intermediary substance between the hot primary flow and the components to be cooled. This cooling flow, circulated through the thermal insulation space, acts as a thermal mediator that absorbs excess heat from components without requiring direct contact with the hot primary flow.
2Temperature
If a cooling flow is circulated to cool components, then the temperature is reduced enabling component installation, but the device complexity increases due to additional cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling flow serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools components mounted in the outlet cone, it provides thermal insulation by circulating in the dedicated insulation space, and it can be integrated with existing engine air systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cooling systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is merged with the thermal insulation structure by circulating the cooling flow through the thermal insulation space defined by the inner and outer walls of the outlet cone. This integration combines the cooling function with the structural insulation function, reducing overall system complexity.
3Device complexity
If the cooling flow simply ventilates the entire inner space of the cone, then the device complexity is minimized, but the cooling effectiveness is insufficient for component cooling
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniform ventilation throughout the entire cone, the cooling flow is directed to specifically target regions where components are mounted. The inner wall creates a dedicated thermal insulation space that channels cooling flow locally around components, providing enhanced cooling effectiveness precisely where needed rather than diffuse cooling throughout the entire volume.
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
Effective cooling allows for the installation of components like electrical machines in the outlet cone, with optimized heat exchange and thermal protection, even during engine shutdown.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling flow passes from upstream to downstream through this space before being discharged
Implementation Method 2
an inner wall which runs alongside the outer wall and is radially spaced therefrom to delimit a thermal insulation space
Data Source
AI summary
A double-flow turbomachine has an exhaust casing through which a hot primary flow passes and surrounded by a cold secondary flow, and a cone carried by the exhaust casing. The exhaust casing has a hollow radial arm passing through the primary flow to convey air into the cone in order to form a cooling flow for components located in the cone. The cone has an outer wall and an inner wall which runs alongside the outer wall and is radially spaced therefrom to delimit a thermal insulation space through which the cooling flow passes from upstream to downstream before it is discharged through an outlet opening at the end of the cone. It has an inner cover surrounding a component to channel the cooling flow so that it runs along the component to cool it before passing through the thermal insulation space to be discharged there.