Parallel Coolant Flowpaths in Gas Turbine Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat exchange systems in gas turbine engines face inefficiencies in cooling heat-generating components and managing coolant flow, leading to increased pressure drop and reaction time, particularly when using fuel as a coolant.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange system with a parallel flow configuration of coolant flowpaths through multiple heat exchangers, utilizing fuel as a coolant and incorporating a diverter to optimize coolant flow distribution, which reduces pressure loss and reaction time by maximizing fuel delivery to a bypass flowpath and minimizing flow through heat exchangers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fuel is used as coolant in a series flow configuration, then heat exchange coverage is improved, but pressure drop and reaction time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant flowpath is divided into multiple parallel paths (first coolant flowpath and second coolant flowpath) that branch off from the fuel tank. This segmentation allows the fuel to reach heat exchangers through multiple routes simultaneously, reducing the length of individual flow paths and minimizing pressure drop while maintaining comprehensive cooling coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to the coolant distribution by creating a three-dimensional network of parallel flowpaths with multiple branches. This dimensional expansion allows fuel to reach different heat exchangers through parallel routes rather than a single sequential path, reducing reaction time and pressure loss while maintaining effective cooling.
2Temperature
If coolant flow through heat exchangers is maximized, then cooling performance is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant flow is segmented into multiple parallel paths with independent flow control. Each path can be optimized for its specific heat exchange requirements, allowing maximum cooling performance in critical areas while minimizing overall pressure drop through parallel routing rather than forcing all coolant through a single constrained path.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates variable geometry features such as adjustable flow dividers and controllable flowpaths that can dynamically adapt to different operating conditions. This allows the system to optimize the distribution of coolant flow based on real-time thermal demands, maximizing cooling performance when needed while minimizing pressure drop during normal 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
The system effectively cools heat-generating components, reduces pressure drop, and decreases reaction time by optimizing coolant flow, enhancing engine efficiency and power output when fuel is used as a coolant.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger that defines a first heat source flowpath, a second heat exchanger that defines a second heat source flowpath, and a coolant fluid circuit. The coolant fluid circuit defines a first coolant flowpath that extends through the first heat exchanger and is in thermal communication with the first heat source flowpath, and a second coolant flowpath that extends through the second heat exchanger and is in thermal communication with the second heat source flowpath
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchange system for a gas turbine engine includes a first heat exchanger that defines a first heat source flowpath, a second heat exchanger that defines a second heat source flowpath, and a coolant fluid circuit. The coolant fluid circuit defines a first coolant flowpath that extends through the first heat exchanger and is in thermal communication with the first heat source flowpath, and a second coolant flowpath that extends through the second heat exchanger and is in thermal communication with the second heat source flowpath. The first coolant flowpath and the second coolant flowpath are arranged in a parallel flow configuration.