Turbomachine Rotor Disk Thermal Regulation Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional turbomachine cooling methods inadequately regulate temperature differentials in aft stages, leading to material stress during operational transitions, as the rotor disk rim and bore experience dramatic temperature variations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating thermal regulation apertures in the rotor disk, which allow axial flow to pass through, and using anti-vortex tubes to balance fluid flow between stages, thereby reducing material stress and regulating temperature differentials across the disk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling methods with bleed holes are used, then cooling airflow is provided to the shaft area, but temperature differentials in aft stages are inadequately regulated
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor disk is segmented into multiple functional zones with different aperture configurations. Thermal regulation apertures are strategically positioned in the disk body at specific radial locations to create localized cooling zones that address temperature differentials in aft stages, while maintaining overall disk structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the rotor disk are given different thermal regulation properties through strategically placed apertures. The aperture configuration (size, shape, orientation) is optimized for specific radial zones to address local temperature differential issues in aft stages without compromising other areas
2Temperature
If thermal regulation apertures are added to the rotor disk, then temperature differential regulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor disk incorporates a porous aperture structure that allows thermal regulation functionality to be integrated into the disk body. The apertures are designed as low-stress features that maintain material continuity while enabling coolant flow paths, avoiding the need for separate complex cooling components
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal regulation apertures are merged with the rotor disk manufacturing process, integrating the cooling functionality directly into the disk structure. This combination approach eliminates the need for separate cooling components and reduces overall device complexity
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
The solution effectively reduces material stress and enhances thermal regulation, enabling turbomachines to operate at higher temperatures and pressures with improved efficiency and extended rotor disk life.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal regulation aperture defined in the disk body, radially inward of the rim, for allowing flow to pass axially through the disk body
Implementation Method 2
using anti-vortex tubes to balance fluid flow between stages, thereby reducing material stress and regulating temperature differentials across the disk
Implementation Method 3
allowing cooling airflow to pass through close to the shaft... This type of cooling minimally regulates temperature differentials in aft stages
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor disk for a turbomachine includes a disk body, a rim configured to connect to or include a rotor blade disposed on a radially outward portion of the disk body, a bore defined in a radially inward portion of the disk body and configured to be radially adjacent to a shaft, and a thermal regulation aperture defined in the disk body, radially inward of the rim, for allowing flow to pass axially through the disk body when disposed in a stage of a turbomachine, and a thermal regulation aperture defined in the disk body for allowing flow to pass through the disk body when disposed in a stage of a turbomachine.