Scalable Airfoil Profile for Compressor Efficiency and Load Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in achieving optimal compressor airfoil profiles that balance aerodynamic and mechanical loading, efficiency, and reliability across various operating conditions, requiring a design that minimizes vibratory response and meets specific stage requirements.
Innovation Solution
The airfoil profile is defined by a set of non-dimensional Cartesian coordinate values that can be scaled to produce a geometrically varied yet aerodynamically consistent shape, ensuring efficient interaction between compressor stages and maintaining normalized loadings, as outlined in TABLE 1, allowing for efficient, safe, and smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a compressor airfoil profile is designed to meet aerodynamic requirements, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but mechanical loading and vibratory response may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the airfoil profile parameters (such as thickness distribution, camber, and leading edge radius) to achieve an optimal balance between aerodynamic efficiency and mechanical loading. The coordinate data in Table 1 represents specific parameter values that have been optimized to simultaneously improve aerodynamic performance while controlling mechanical stresses and vibratory responses.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the airfoil profile is optimized for specific operating conditions, then efficiency at those conditions is improved, but adaptability to other conditions may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing an airfoil profile that performs effectively across multiple operating conditions including ISO, hot, cold, and part-load scenarios. The balanced parameter optimization creates a multi-functional airfoil that maintains good efficiency and mechanical characteristics throughout the operating range, rather than being specialized for a single condition.
Data Source
AI summary
An article of manufacture having a nominal airfoil profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y, and Z set forth in a scalable TABLE 1, wherein the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y, and Z are non-dimensional values convertible to dimensional distances by multiplying the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y, and Z by a number, and wherein X and Y are coordinates which, when connected by continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each Z height, the airfoil profile sections at each Z height being joined with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.