Rotor Bore Cooling Flow Redirection for Lower Disk Thermal Gradients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal gradients across rotor disks in gas turbine engines cause significant thermal stress and reduce the effective lifespan of the disks due to differing heating and cooling rates between radially outward and inward portions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of cooling flow redirection components within the gaps between adjacent rotor disks to redirect cooling flow, increasing contact time and cooling efficiency, thereby reducing thermal gradients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional cooling flow paths are used in rotor disks, then the structure is simple, but thermal gradients occur across the rotor disk reducing effective lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling flow path is segmented into multiple sections: a first cooling flow path for the radially outward portion and a second cooling flow path for the radially inward portion. This segmentation allows independent optimization of cooling for each region, addressing the thermal gradient problem by providing targeted cooling where needed most.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cooling strategies are applied to different regions of the rotor disk. The radially inward portion receives cooling through the second cooling flow path that directs cooling fluid along the inner surface, while the radially outward portion is cooled through the first cooling flow path. This local quality approach ensures each region gets appropriate cooling based on its thermal characteristics.
2Temperature
If the radially inward portion of the rotor disk is cooled more aggressively, then thermal gradients are reduced, but the complexity of the cooling system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second cooling flow paths are merged at a junction region, allowing the cooling fluid to be distributed to both cooling paths from a single source. This merging approach reduces the number of separate cooling fluid inlets and simplifies the overall system architecture while still providing region-specific cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is designed to serve multiple functions: the first cooling flow path cools the radially outward portion, the second cooling flow path cools the radially inward portion, and the junction region distributes flow to both. This multi-functionality allows a single cooling system to address thermal management needs across the entire rotor disk.
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 of rotor bores, minimizing thermal stress and extending the lifespan of rotor disks by maintaining consistent temperature distribution.
Implementation Method 1
redirecting the cooling flow to contact the radially aligned surfaces
Implementation Method 2
increasing contact time and cooling efficiency, thereby reducing thermal gradients
Data Source
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AI summary
A cooling flow redirection component (490; 590) comprising a first cooling flow redirection surface (494; 594) operable to interfere with a cooling flow and redirect said cooling flow radially outward and an interconnection feature (480; 580) operable to interconnect said cooling flow redirection component (490; 590) with at least one of a first rotor bore (416; 516) defining a gap (470; 570), a second rotor bore (426; 526) defining a gap (470; 570) and a shaft (440; 540) defining a cooling flow passage (450; 550) radially inward of said rotor bores,