Particle Separator for Tip Turbine Engine Core Inlet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tip turbine engines lack protection for the core airflow inlet, allowing particles to enter and potentially erode compressor blades and clog passages, unlike conventional turbofan engines where particles are deflected by the bypass fan before reaching the core inlet.
Innovation Solution
A particle separator with a conical inclined leading surface and a tapered trailing surface is mounted in front of the core airflow inlet, diverting air radially outward and ensuring particles are deflected radially outward through the bypass fan, preventing them from entering the core inlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the core airflow inlet is positioned forward of the bypass fan in tip turbine engines, then the engine achieves a more compact structure with shorter length, but particles can enter the core airflow inlet and cause erosion and clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The particle separator acts as an intermediary device positioned between the incoming airflow and the core airflow inlet. It intercepts particles through its conical leading surface and tapered trailing surface, causing particles to be deflected radially outward while allowing air to pass through axially into the core inlet, thus protecting the inlet from particle damage
Solution Approach 2:
The particle separator is segmented into distinct functional surfaces: a conical inclined leading surface for intercepting particles, a maximum radius section for particle deflection, and a tapered trailing surface for guiding airflow. This segmentation allows each surface to perform its specific function in particle separation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If particles are deflected radially outward by the bypass fan rotation, then particles are protected from entering the core inlet in conventional engines, but this requires the core inlet to be positioned aft of the bypass fan
Solution Approach 1:
The particle separator performs preliminary action by intercepting and deflecting particles radially outward before the airflow reaches the core inlet. This preliminary particle removal occurs at the particle separator location, eliminating the need for the core inlet to be positioned aft of the bypass fan while still achieving particle protection
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
Effectively prevents particles from entering the core airflow inlet, protecting compressor blades and passages by utilizing the bypass fan to deflect particles, maintaining engine cleanliness and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
any particles, such as dirt, will have more inertia and will pass radially outwardly of the core airflow inlet through the bypass fan
Data Source
AI summary
A particle separator (20) for a tip turbine engine (10) includes a generally conical inclined leading surface (24) leading to a maximum radius (25) and a tapered trailing surface (56) having a radius at all points therealong less than the maximum radius (25). The trailing surface (56) of the particle separator (20) is tapered and/or curved radially inwardly away from the maximum radius (25). Air flowing toward the core airflow inlet is first diverted radially outwardly by the inclined leading surface (24) of the particle separator (20) to the maximum radius (25) of the particle separator (20). The air then follows the trailing surface (56) radially inwardly to flow axially into the core airflow inlet. While the air can follow the contours of the particle separator (20) around the maximum radius (25) and into the core airflow inlet, any particles, such as dirt, will have more inertia and will pass radially outwardly of the core airflow inlet through the bypass fan.