Rear Mounted Wash Manifold for Gas Turbine Engine Core Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engine washing methods are inefficient in removing contaminants from gas turbine engines, particularly in reaching and effectively cleaning the engine core and fan components, leading to suboptimal performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A rear-mounted engine wash manifold with a wash delivery segment shaped to follow the engine case curvature, equipped with nozzles and a retention system, delivers atomized wash fluid directly into the engine core and fan components, ensuring thorough cleaning and secure attachment during the washing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional inlet mounted manifold is used for spraying wash fluid, then the washing process can be performed, but the penetration and removal of contaminants from engine core and fan components is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional washing approach by moving the manifold from the inlet to the exhaust side of the engine. This allows wash fluid to be injected from the rear, utilizing the engine's own airflow to carry the cleaning solution forward through the core and fan components, thereby improving cleaning effectiveness while maintaining a relatively simple manifold structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold is configured to extend in the axial direction of the engine, with nozzles positioned to spray wash fluid radially inward toward the engine core and fan components. This multi-directional spraying approach from the exhaust side enables thorough cleaning of previously hard-to-reach areas without requiring complex multi-component assemblies.
2Area of stationary object
If wash fluid is sprayed to reach engine core and fan components, then cleaning coverage is improved, but fluid distribution and penetration efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the engine's existing pneumatic system by injecting wash fluid into the exhaust airflow path. The high-velocity air stream acts as a carrier, forcing the wash fluid forward through the engine core and fan components. This pneumatic delivery mechanism improves both fluid distribution across the cleaning area and penetration efficiency into hard-to-reach components.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing system leverages the engine's own operational characteristics - specifically the exhaust airflow generated during normal operation or cranking - to deliver the wash fluid throughout the engine. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate pumping or pressurization systems, thereby improving washing efficiency while maintaining broad cleaning coverage.
3Ease of manufacture
If the manifold is mounted at the inlet, then installation is straightforward, but the retention and security of the manifold during washing is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold includes pre-configured retention features such as mounting brackets or attachment points that are integrated into its structure. These features are designed in advance to engage with corresponding elements on the engine housing at the exhaust side, ensuring secure retention during the washing process while maintaining straightforward installation procedures.
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 solution provides improved penetration and removal of contaminants, enhancing engine performance by reducing temperatures, fuel consumption, and restoring power, while ensuring efficient and simultaneous cleaning of both the engine core and fan components.
Implementation Method 1
spraying wash fluid from the manifold
Data Source
AI summary
An engine wash manifold delivers wash liquid to an engine that includes an inlet, a fan, a case with an exhaust duct and a core inlet splitter. The manifold includes a wash delivery segment comprising a pipe shaped to follow at least in part engine case curvature with a first end to interface with the core inlet splitter and a second end with an inlet to receive wash fluid. The manifold further includes a retention system to secure the wash delivery segment to the engine and one or more nozzles on the first end of the wash delivery segment to spray wash fluid. The wash fluid may be atomized. The manifold further may include nozzles that deliver atomized wash liquid to the aft side of fan blades and may be used in conjunction with an inlet mounted manifold.