Turbomachine Rotor Disk Cooling via Segmented Flange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling devices for turbomachine rotor disks downstream from the cone are not applicable to all low-pressure turbines due to leaks at the fastener flanges, which prevents effective cooling of these disks.

Innovation Solution

A cooling device comprising an annular ring with alternating solid and hollow portions on its fastener flange, an annular endplate with ventilation orifices, and a cone with radially extending fastener flanges, allowing cool air to diffuse into the slots of the downstream rotor disk without causing leaks, thereby maintaining the integrity of the disk assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cool air is conveyed to the slots of the disks by passing via notches formed in the fastener flanges, then the slots can be cooled, but leaks appear at the fastener flanges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidleakage at fastener flanges

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener flange is segmented into alternating solid portions and hollow portions. The hollow portions serve as cooling air passages while the solid portions provide structural support and sealing surfaces for the bolted connections. This segmentation allows cooling air to reach the slots without compromising the integrity of the fastener flange structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow portions of the fastener flange act as an intermediary channel that transfers cooling air from the upstream side to the slots on the downstream side. This intermediary passage allows cooling functionality to be integrated without requiring separate cooling passages that would create leakage paths at the flange connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If a cooling device with notches in fastener flanges is used, then cooling is achieved, but the device is not applicable to all low-pressure turbines

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling capabilityVSAvoidapplicability to different turbine types

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling device is designed with universal applicability by integrating cooling passages directly into the fastener flange structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate cooling components and allows the same design to be applied across different low-pressure turbine configurations without requiring modifications to the flange structure or connection methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If bolted connections are used to assemble rotor disks, then the disks can be connected, but leaks occur at the connection points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisk assemblyVSAvoidsealing at bolted connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener flange is divided into solid and hollow segments. The solid portions provide the necessary sealing surfaces for bolted connections, while the hollow portions are positioned such that they do not interfere with the sealing function. This segmentation allows the bolted connections to maintain their sealing effectiveness while still enabling cooling air passage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 proposed cooling device effectively ventilates the slots of the downstream rotor disk without leaks, increasing its lifetime and ensuring reliable operation of the turbomachine.

Implementation Method 1

the fastener flange of the endplate being pierced by ventilation orifices opening out into the air diffusion cavity in order to feed it with cooling air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

said air diffusion cavity opening out into the slots of the downstream disk via their upstream ends in order to cool them

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS8864466B2Cooling device for cooling the slots of a turbomachine rotor disk downstream from the drive cone

Publication Date: 2014.10.21 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS

AI summary

A cooling device for cooling the slots of a turbomachine rotor disk is provided. The turbomachine includes an upstream rotor disk having a fastener flange with a periphery that is festooned; a downstream rotor disk; an endplate for holding blades and arranged around the ring of the downstream disk and co-operating therewith to form an air diffusion cavity; a cone for driving disks in rotation and having a fastener flange with a periphery that is festooned; and a plurality of bolted connections passing from upstream to downstream through the fastener flanges of the upstream disk and of the cone, the fastener flange of the endplate, and the fastener flange of the downstream disk. The fastener flange of the endplate is pierced by ventilation orifices opening out into the air diffusion cavity, the cavity opening out into the slots of the downstream disk at their upstream ends.