Rotating Machine Particle Separation Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face inefficiencies due to particle contamination in cooling air, which can block or restrict airflow, necessitating a method to separate particles from the cooling airflow without adversely affecting turbine performance.
Innovation Solution
A rotating machine with particle separation slots integrated into the rotor shaft, diverting a portion of the cooling air to separate contaminant particles from the airflow, minimizing performance impact by using centrifugal force to direct particles into a collection cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If particle separation is implemented using conventional methods, then particles are removed from cooling air, but significant compressor air loss occurs (5-10%) affecting turbine performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the necessary portion of cooling air (1-5%) that contains particles for separation, rather than losing 5-10% of total compressor air. The particle separation slots are positioned to tap only the particle-laden portion of the cooling stream, separating particles from this extracted fraction while preserving the majority of clean cooling air for turbine blade cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies partial action by implementing particle separation on only a portion (1-5%) of the cooling air stream rather than the entire flow. This partial treatment is sufficient to remove particles that would cause damage, while avoiding the excessive air loss of conventional methods that treat the full cooling stream.
2Reliability
If more cooling air is diverted for particle separation, then particle removal efficiency increases, but turbine performance deteriorates due to reduced cooling airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by positioning particle separation slots at specific locations where particle concentration is highest in the cooling air stream. The slots are strategically placed to intercept particles locally without requiring diversion of large volumes of cooling air, thus maintaining turbine performance while achieving effective particle removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses partial action by implementing particle separation on only a small fraction (1-5%) of the cooling air stream. This partial treatment provides sufficient particle removal efficiency to protect turbine components while preserving 95-99% of the cooling airflow needed for turbine performance.
3Productivity
If particle separation is not implemented, then turbine performance is maintained, but particle contamination blocks cooling channels reducing blade longevity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by removing particles from the cooling air stream before the air reaches the turbine blades and cooling channels. The particle separation slots are positioned upstream to intercept and remove particles in advance, preventing them from blocking cooling channels and extending blade service life without affecting turbine performance.
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
Effectively separates particles from the cooling air stream with minimal impact on turbine performance, ensuring efficient airflow and prolonged blade longevity by diverting only a small percentage of cooling air for particle removal.
Implementation Method 1
separating particles from the cooling airflow without affecting or minimizing the effect on cooling airflow to the compressor that may undesirably affect performance
Data Source
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AI summary
A rotating machine (10) and associated method is disclosed that includes one or more cooling channels (22) for providing a cooling fluid to a component. The cooling channels (22) pass through a rotating component (16). The rotating machine further includes one or more particle separation slots in the rotating component (16) in fluid communication with the one or more channels (22) for removing particulate contamination.