Removable Exhaust Deflector Classes for Aircraft Turbine Flow Tuning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft engines may exhibit performance differences due to manufacturing tolerances and operational wear, leading to suboptimal performance metrics such as specific fuel consumption and surge margin, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

The exhaust assembly includes a removable deflector with vanes that can be replaced by deflectors of different classes, each having distinct geometric characteristics to optimize the exhaust flow profile, allowing for improved performance by selecting the most suitable deflector based on the engine's condition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed deflector with specific geometric characteristics is used in the exhaust assembly, then the exhaust flow profile is optimized for specific operating conditions, but the engine cannot adapt to varying operating conditions or wear, leading to suboptimal performance over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying operating conditionsVSAvoidcomplexity of exhaust assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deflector is designed to be removable and replaceable, transitioning from a static fixed component to a dynamic adjustable component. This allows the exhaust assembly to adapt to varying operating conditions and wear by replacing the deflector with one having different geometric characteristics, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides multiple deflectors with different geometric characteristics (parameters) that can be selected based on operating conditions. By changing the geometric parameters of the deflector through replacement, the system optimizes performance for different operating states without requiring a completely complex redesign of the exhaust assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If manufacturing tolerances and operational wear are present in the engine, then the engine structure remains simple, but performance metrics such as specific fuel consumption and surge margin deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance metricsVSAvoidcomplexity of exhaust assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares multiple deflectors with different geometric characteristics in advance, allowing the operator to select and install the appropriate deflector before performance degradation becomes critical. This preliminary preparation enables maintenance of high performance metrics without requiring complex real-time adjustments or redesigns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By providing deflectors with varying geometric parameters, the system can compensate for manufacturing tolerances and wear by selecting a deflector whose parameters are optimized for the current state of the engine, thereby maintaining reliability without adding significant complexity to the exhaust assembly structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the deflector is made removable and replaceable with different geometric characteristics, then the engine performance can be optimized for different conditions, but the ease of operation and maintenance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptimization of engine performanceVSAvoidease of maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust assembly is segmented into modular components, with the deflector being a separate, removable unit that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows for easy maintenance while enabling performance optimization through the selection of different deflector types, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution enables the adjustment of exhaust flow characteristics to enhance performance parameters like specific fuel consumption and surge margin, ensuring the engine meets or exceeds predetermined performance thresholds.

Implementation Method 1

the flow passages curving from passages inlets to passage outlets, axial components of passage axes of the flow passages increasing from the passage inlets to the passage outlets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow redirection:

Data Source

PatentUS12420941B2Aircraft engine with exhaust having removable deflector

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP

AI summary

An aircraft engine, comprising a thermal engine, an axial turbine having a turbine inlet, and an exhaust assembly fluidly connecting the thermal engine to the axial turbine. The exhaust assembly includes a housing and a deflector removably mounted within the housing. The deflector has circumferentially distributed vanes. The deflector is a first deflector, having a first set of geometric characteristics, that is removable from the housing and replaceable by a second deflector having a second set of geometric characteristics different from the first set of geometric characteristics. The first deflector is one of a first class of deflectors and the second deflector is one of a second class of deflectors, the first and second class of deflectors respectively defining first and second exhaust flow profiles that differ from each other.