Rotor Blade Apertured Deflector for Low-Swirl Cooling Airflow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotor blade cooling systems in gas turbine engines lack efficient arrangements for directing cooling air into internal passages and maintaining effective cooling while minimizing weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A rotor blade design featuring a cooling air deflector with a cooling air aperture that directs cooling air into the rotor blade, utilizing an offset angle and geometry to optimize airflow distribution and reduce weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cooling air arrangements are used in rotor blades, then cooling air can be directed into internal passages, but the system becomes complex and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling air deflection function from a separate complex mechanical component and integrates it directly into the rotor blade structure itself. The rotor blade includes internal passages and deflection features built-in, eliminating the need for separate external deflection mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the structural function of the rotor blade with the cooling air distribution function. The blade structure itself serves as both the mechanical load-bearing component and the cooling air passage system, combining multiple functions into a single integrated component to reduce complexity and weight
2Reliability
If traditional cooling air arrangements are used in rotor blades, then cooling air can be directed into internal passages, but the weight of the rotor blade increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling air passage system with the rotor blade structure, eliminating separate cooling components and reducing overall weight. The integrated design uses the blade structure itself to house and direct cooling air, removing the need for additional external cooling apparatus
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements cooling passages and deflection features only in specific localized areas of the rotor blade where thermal management is most critical, rather than throughout the entire structure. This targeted approach provides effective cooling where needed while minimizing the weight penalty of adding cooling infrastructure
3Reliability
If cooling air is directed into rotor blade passages, then cooling efficiency is maintained, but swirling and stagnation of cooling air occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates deflection features within the internal passages that pre-position and guide the cooling air flow before it reaches critical areas. These built-in deflection elements proactively direct the airflow to prevent swirling and stagnation patterns from developing, ensuring efficient cooling air distribution throughout the blade
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses internal passage geometry and deflection features as intermediaries to mediate the cooling air flow between the inlet and the blade surfaces. These intermediary structures within the passages actively manage the airflow path, preventing direct swirling contact with blade surfaces while ensuring uniform cooling distribution
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 cooling efficiency by minimizing swirling and stagnation, while reducing overall weight and complexity of the rotor blade.
Implementation Method 1
The passage inlet fluidly couples the cooling air passage to a plenum radially between the bottom end of the root and a bottom end of the slot
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor blade includes an airfoil, a root, a cooling air passage and a cooling air deflector. The root extends axially along an axis between a first end of the root and a second end of the root. The root extends laterally between a first side of the root and a second side of the root. The root projects radially inward and away from the airfoil to an inner end of the root. The cooling air passage includes a passage inlet disposed at the inner end. The cooling air passage projects radially into the rotor blade from the passage inlet. The cooling air deflector projects radially inward from the inner end of the root to an inner end of the cooling air deflector. The cooling air deflector is disposed at the second side and is spaced laterally from the first side. The cooling air deflector includes a cooling air aperture.