Aircraft Propulsion Nozzle Vanes for Dihydrogen Preheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing propulsion systems for aircraft do not effectively heat dihydrogen before combustion, which affects combustion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion assembly with a heat exchanger system in the exhaust nozzle transfers heat energy from hot combustion gases to dihydrogen through a double-walled supply duct with vanes and fins, ensuring efficient pre-heating before combustion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If hot combustion gases are used to heat dihydrogen through a heat exchange system, then combustion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange system is merged with the exhaust nozzle structure. The vanes are positioned inside the exhaust nozzle, and the supply duct integrates the heating function into the existing exhaust flow path, combining two functions (exhaust and heating) into a unified structure rather than adding a separate heating system
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust nozzle and combustion gases serve dual purposes: they exhaust combustion products while simultaneously providing the heat source for pre-heating dihydrogen. The system uses its own waste heat (combustion gases) to improve combustion efficiency, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external heating sources
2Temperature
If vanes with duct portions are positioned inside the exhaust nozzle, then heat transfer to dihydrogen is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange function is segmented into multiple vanes positioned within the exhaust nozzle. Each vane contains duct portions that channel dihydrogen through the hot gas flow, dividing the heating function into discrete, manageable components rather than requiring a single complex heat exchanger structure
Solution Approach 2:
The duct portions within the vanes utilize thin-walled structures that allow efficient thermal transfer while maintaining structural integrity. The double-walled duct design with inner and outer walls creates an efficient thermal pathway without requiring thick, heavy materials
3Temperature
If a double-walled supply duct is used with fluid circulation in the outer volume, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer volume of the double-walled duct is utilized as a fluid circulation channel. A pump circulates fluid through the outer volume, creating a secondary heat transfer pathway that enhances overall heat exchange efficiency by utilizing both the inner duct wall and outer duct wall for thermal transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The inner duct (carrying dihydrogen) is nested within the outer duct (carrying circulating fluid). This nested configuration allows both heat transfer pathways to occupy the same spatial envelope, maximizing heat exchange efficiency without proportionally increasing the overall system 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
Enhances dihydrogen combustion efficiency by effectively transferring heat energy from combustion gases to dihydrogen, improving propulsion system performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange system arranged at the exhaust nozzle for ensuring heat energy is transferred to the dihydrogen of the propulsion system
Implementation Method 2
the heat energy of the combustion gases is transferred to the dihydrogen
Data Source
AI summary
A propulsion assembly having a propulsion system comprising a fairing, a rotary assembly having a combustion chamber and housed in the fairing, an exhaust nozzle positioned downstream of the combustion chamber and delimited by a nozzle wall, and ensuring the discharge of the combustion gases originating from the combustion of the dihydrogen in the combustion chamber, a dihydrogen tank, a supply duct which connects the tank and the combustion chamber, and at least one vane positioned inside the exhaust nozzle, wherein the supply duct has a duct portion arranged in the vane.