Rotatable Bleed Conduit Layout for Variable Exhaust Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine systems require a bleed system that can adapt to various configurations and target locations, leading to the need for multiple conduit designs, which increases manufacturing costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A bleed system with a first and second bleed conduit section coupled by a rotatable joint, allowing the second conduit section to rotate between multiple orientations relative to the first conduit section, accommodating different exhaust outlet orientations using a universal set of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different conduit designs are used for each gas turbine configuration, then the bleed system can accommodate various target locations, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of various target locationsVSAvoidmultiple conduit designs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bleed system employs a universal conduit design that can serve multiple configurations of gas turbine systems. The conduit is designed with adjustable features that allow it to accommodate various target locations and exhaust outlet orientations without requiring different conduit designs for each configuration, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bleed system incorporates dynamic or adjustable components that allow the conduit to be reconfigured for different target locations. This may include adjustable mounting positions, flexible sections, or reconfigurable connection points that enable the same conduit to adapt to various exhaust outlet orientations and target locations throughout the gas turbine system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple conduit designs are used for different configurations, then each configuration can be optimized, but the manufacturing costs and part count inventory increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration-specific optimizationVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a universal conduit design that can be manufactured as a single standardized component. This universal design maintains the ability to serve different configurations through adjustable or reconfigurable features, eliminating the need to manufacture multiple specialized conduit designs, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying inventory management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The conduit system may be divided into modular segments or sections that can be assembled in different configurations. This segmentation allows a single standardized set of components to be used across multiple configurations, reducing the need for custom-manufactured parts while maintaining configuration-specific optimization through modular assembly arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a fixed conduit design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the system cannot adapt to different exhaust outlet orientations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit manufacturingVSAvoidexhaust outlet orientation accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit incorporates dynamic or adjustable features that allow it to adapt to different exhaust outlet orientations while maintaining a standardized manufacturing process. This may include adjustable mounting brackets, flexible sections, or reconfigurable connection points that enable the same conduit design to accommodate various orientations without requiring custom manufacturing for each orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The conduit design incorporates additional degrees of freedom or dimensional flexibility, such as adjustable angles, reconfigurable mounting positions, or multi-directional connection capabilities. This allows a single standardized conduit design to accommodate different exhaust outlet orientations by utilizing adjustments in multiple dimensions rather than requiring different conduit designs for each orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11808215B2System and method for reconfiguring a bleed system

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

A system includes a bleed system configured to direct a bleed flow from a compressor section to an exhaust section of a gas turbine engine. The bleed system includes a first bleed conduit section configured to couple to the compressor section, a second bleed conduit section configured to couple to the exhaust section, and a first rotatable joint coupling together adjacent conduits of the first and second bleed conduit sections. The second bleed conduit section has components configured to rotate between a plurality of configurations relative to the first bleed conduit section and the compressor section via the first rotatable joint. The plurality of orientations corresponds to a plurality of exhaust outlet orientations of the exhaust section, and the components of the second bleed conduit section are the same in each orientation.