Seal Plate Cooling Grooves for Uniform Turbine Seal Temperatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine sealing systems face inefficiencies in thermal management due to the use of radially-oriented holes for cooling, which result in non-uniform temperature distribution and increased weight from large oil flow rates and associated hardware, impacting engine performance.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a seal plate with an end face featuring cooling fins and grooves that channel and retain cooling fluid, providing a larger surface area for heat transfer and extending fluid engagement time, thereby enhancing cooling efficiency and reducing the need for high oil flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If radially-oriented holes are used for cooling the seal plate, then cooling is provided at discrete locations, but non-uniform temperature distribution and seal plate waviness occur
Solution Approach 1:
The seal plate cooling surface is segmented into multiple axial regions, each equipped with its own cooling holes positioned at optimal locations. This segmentation allows independent temperature control of different axial zones, ensuring uniform heat removal across the entire seal plate surface and preventing thermal waviness.
Solution Approach 2:
Cooling holes are strategically positioned at different axial locations based on the local heat generation patterns. Each region receives cooling tailored to its specific thermal conditions, with hole density and orientation optimized for local heat removal requirements, achieving uniform temperature distribution throughout the seal plate.
2Temperature
If large oil flow rates are used for cooling, then cooling performance is improved, but engine weight increases due to larger oil pumps, tubes, and tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the thermal parameters of the seal plate by implementing optimized cooling hole patterns and axial region segmentation. This allows achieving the required cooling effectiveness with lower oil flow rates, as the cooling system operates more efficiently by directing coolant to the most critical thermal zones rather than using high flow rates across the entire system.
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
This configuration achieves a more uniform cooling profile, reduces seal plate waviness, and improves cooling effectiveness, allowing for lower oil flow rates while maintaining or exceeding cooling performance, thus enhancing engine efficiency and reducing weight.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling fluid removes heat from the seal plate
Implementation Method 2
The cooling fluid removes heat from the seal plate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a sealing system (300) for an engine having an axial centerline, comprising: a stationary carbon segment (224), and a seal plate (318) that rotates when the engine is operated, where the seal plate (318) includes an end face (342) that is opposed to an interface (336) between the carbon segment (224) and the seal plate (318), and where the end face (342) includes at least one groove that conveys a liquid cooling fluid.