Gas Turbine Platform Cooling Circuit Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing complex geometries and intricate features in gas turbine engine cooling circuits is challenging due to exposure to hot combustion gases, requiring efficient thermal energy transfer and cooling solutions.
Innovation Solution
A platform cooling circuit with a feed cavity and cooling cavity in fluid communication, featuring inlet passages, heat transfer augmentation devices, and film cooling holes, which can be cast using a radially adjustable core system to optimize cooling fluid flow and heat transfer within the engine components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If internal cooling circuits are implemented to cool components exposed to hot combustion gases, then thermal management effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to complex geometries and intricate features
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling circuit is segmented into distinct functional zones: a feed cavity for coolant distribution and multiple cooling cavities for heat dissipation. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently for its specific function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process by breaking down the complex geometry into manageable segments that can be cast more easily.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling circuit design transitions from traditional three-dimensional complex passages to a more planar configuration with the feed cavity positioned at the platform level and cooling cavities arranged in a distributed pattern. This dimensional reorganization reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective heat transfer pathways from the gas path surface to the cooling fluid.
2Loss of energy
If complex internal passages are designed for efficient heat transfer, then thermal energy transfer is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into a feed cavity that collects and distributes cooling fluid, and multiple separate cooling cavities that perform heat dissipation. This segmentation creates clear functional zones that simplify the internal passage design while maintaining efficient thermal energy transfer from the component's gas path surface through the platform to the cooling fluid in each cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed cavity serves multiple functions: it collects cooling fluid from inlet passages, distributes fluid to multiple cooling cavities, and acts as a thermal management node itself. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated passages for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining thermal efficiency.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional cooling circuits are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but cooling effectiveness decreases due to inability to handle complex geometries
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cooling circuit into a feed cavity and multiple cooling cavities, the design achieves a balance between manufacturability and cooling performance. Each cavity can be cast using conventional techniques, yet the segmented architecture enables effective cooling distribution across the component platform, ensuring reliable thermal management under hot gas exposure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling cavities are positioned and sized to provide localized cooling where thermal loads are highest on the platform. This local quality approach ensures that cooling effectiveness is optimized at critical locations without requiring complex geometries throughout the entire component, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while improving reliability.
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 platform cooling circuit effectively cools gas turbine engine components by enhancing heat transfer and reducing the complexity of internal passages, improving thermal management and component durability.
Implementation Method 1
Thermal energy is transferred from the component to the cooling fluid to cool the component
Implementation Method 2
the cooling circuit is formed inside the platform and includes a feed cavity and a cooling cavity in fluid communication with the feed cavity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A component (60; 260) according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a platform (64; 164; 264) and a feed cavity (80; 180; 280) that feeds a cooling fluid inside of the platform (64; 164; 264). The feed cavity (80; 180; 280) includes a leg portion (86) and a main body portion (88) that extends from the leg portion (86) inside of the platform (64; 164; 264). A cooling cavity (82; 282) is inside the platform (64; 164; 264) and in fluid communication with the feed cavity (80; 180; 280).