Rotor Disk Thermal Gradient Reduction via Radial Fluid Manifold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotor assemblies in turbine engines experience thermal gradients due to temperature variations along axial and radial distances, leading to reduced durability and life, limiting their operation at higher pressure ratios, temperatures, and speeds.
Innovation Solution
A system with a fluid supply manifold connected to the rotor assembly, extending radially to an outlet opening in thermal communication with the rotor disk, reduces thermal gradients by routing relatively warm fluid to radially inner portions of the rotor assembly, thereby improving durability and cycle fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If rotor assembly operates at higher temperatures and pressure ratios, then engine performance is improved, but thermal gradient increases reducing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by delivering cooling fluid to specific radially inner portions of the rotor assembly that experience higher temperatures. The fluid supply manifold is positioned to target specific thermal zones, providing localized cooling where thermal gradients are most severe, thereby maintaining durability while allowing higher overall operating temperatures for improved engine performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fluid acts as an intermediary substance that transfers thermal energy from the rotor assembly to the fluid supply manifold. This mediator carries heat away from critical radially inner portions, reducing thermal gradients without requiring direct modification of the rotor structure or combustion process, thus maintaining reliability while enabling higher performance operation.
2Power
If rotor assembly operates at higher temperatures, then power output is improved, but thermal gradient reduces cycle fatigue life
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by targeting cooling fluid delivery to specific radially inner portions of the rotor disk where temperature gradients most severely impact cycle fatigue. By locally reducing temperatures in these critical zones through the fluid supply manifold, the patent extends cycle fatigue life while maintaining high overall operating temperatures for power output.
3Temperature
If cooling fluid is supplied to radially inner portions, then thermal gradient is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system utilizes self-service principles by routing cooling fluid through the existing rotor assembly structure and utilizing the rotor's own rotation and geometry to distribute the cooling effect. The fluid supply manifold integrates with the rotor disk structure, and the system uses the rotor's operational motion to enhance cooling fluid distribution, reducing the need for additional complex external cooling mechanisms.
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 system effectively reduces thermal gradients, enhancing rotor durability and cycle fatigue life, and allows for improved engine performance by minimizing temperature differences across the rotor disk.
Implementation Method 1
an outlet opening in thermal communication with the rotor disk of the rotor assembly
Implementation Method 2
routing relatively warm fluid to radially inner portions of the rotor assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system for reducing thermal gradient at a heat engine. The heat engine includes a rotor assembly with a rotor disk and a seal assembly is provided. An interfacing structure at least partially surrounds the rotor assembly at the seal assembly. The seal assembly and the interfacing structure together form a first cavity defining a first environmental condition and a second cavity defining a second environmental condition. A fluid supply manifold is connected to the rotor assembly and is extended at least partially along a radial direction from the first cavity to an outlet opening in thermal communication with the rotor disk of the rotor assembly.