Pressure Drag Jet Engine Cold Section Turbine Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional gas turbine engines require expensive and complex cooling systems due to the high temperatures and rotating components downstream of the combustor, which increases production costs and reduces efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The use of a pressure-drag/Venturi type nozzle to generate an external pressure differential on the cold section turbine, eliminating the need for rotating components in the hot section and allowing for the use of inexpensive, lightweight materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If traditional hot-section turbine components are used downstream of the combustor, then the turbine can directly convert thermal energy to mechanical work, but the engine requires expensive and complex cooling systems to manage high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturbine power outputVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The engine is divided into separate hot-section and cold-section components. The hot-section combustor and cold-section turbine are spatially separated and connected through ducts, allowing independent optimization of each section without requiring complex cooling systems in the turbine

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A working fluid (air-gas mixture) acts as an intermediary carrier, transporting energy from the hot-section combustor to the cold-section turbine through ducts, enabling power generation without direct thermal contact between the turbine and combustion chamber

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If rotating turbine components are placed in the hot section downstream of the combustor, then energy conversion is efficient, but production costs increase due to expensive cooling systems and specialized materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy conversion efficiencyVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cold-section turbine and its rotating components can be manufactured from inexpensive materials since they operate at lower temperatures, reducing production costs while maintaining sufficient operational lifespan for the intended application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The design changes the operational temperature parameter of the turbine by locating it in the cold section rather than the hot section, allowing the use of lower-cost materials and simpler manufacturing processes while maintaining energy conversion functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a pressure-drag nozzle is used to generate pressure differential, then the cold section turbine can be powered without hot-section rotating components, but the engine requires higher incoming flow or upstream pressure differential to meet compressor power needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturbine section simplicityVSAvoidcompressor power requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure-drag effect, which traditionally represents energy loss in jet engines, is converted into a beneficial mechanism to generate the pressure differential needed to drive the cold-section turbine, powering the compressor without requiring hot-section rotating components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 design reduces internal bearing friction, shaft spool-up time, and energy requirements, while also lowering production costs and simplifying manufacturing and maintenance processes.

Implementation Method 1

The use of a pressure-drag/Venturi type nozzle to generate an external pressure differential on the cold section turbine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12276237B2Pressure drag jet engine

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 ANDERSON ISAAC ERIK

AI summary

The engine described herein utilizes an internal low pressure near the nozzle to draw fluid through a center section/duct of the engine and therefore through an upstream, cold, turbine. The fluid moving through this center duct-section experiences a pressure differential between the zone of the incoming fluid (which raises pressure upstream) and the low pressure zone generated near the nozzle. With fast-moving fluid around each side of this cold turbine duct, inducing a Venturi effect on the fluid passing through the duct, a low pressure is generated and therefore enacts work on the turbine. Using this method, turbine blades are not down stream of the hot combustion section and therefore can be made with light weight and low melting temperature material. With a cold section turbine, the engine can therefore be considerably lighter and cheaper to manufacture and maintain.