Helical-Grooved Seal Runner for Oil Slinger Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oil slinger systems for gas turbine engines have limitations in heat transfer efficiency due to a lack of increased contact area and residence time of the cooling liquid on the axial surface, which restricts the amount of heat that can be convectively removed per unit time.
Innovation Solution
The oil slinger system incorporates a seal runner with an annular radial member and an outer axially extending member featuring a plurality of helical grooves and ridges, directing the cooling liquid in a helical flow path, thereby increasing the contact area and residence time, and is made from materials like steel, titanium, and alloys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If smooth inner surfaces are used in seal runners, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but heat transfer efficiency is limited due to reduced contact area and residence time of cooling liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The seal runner surface is divided into different zones with different properties: smooth regions for structural integrity and helical grooves/ridges regions for enhanced heat transfer. This local differentiation allows the surface to simultaneously maintain manufacturing simplicity in critical areas while maximizing heat transfer efficiency in cooling zones through increased contact area and residence time of the cooling liquid.
Solution Approach 2:
Helical grooves and ridges are introduced to create curved, three-dimensional surface features that guide the cooling liquid in a spiral path. This curvature increases the residence time of the cooling liquid on the axial surface and enhances contact area, thereby improving convective heat transfer by approximately 80% compared to smooth surfaces.
2Temperature
If helical grooves are added to increase contact area, then heat transfer capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helical grooves and ridges are localized to specific regions of the seal runner where heat transfer enhancement is most needed, rather than modifying the entire surface. This selective application maintains relative structural simplicity while achieving significant heat transfer improvement (approximately 80% greater heat transfer) in the critical cooling zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical configuration provides an efficient geometric solution that achieves complex flow patterns and extended residence time using a relatively simple continuous groove structure. The helical shape can be manufactured using standard machining techniques, balancing the complexity enhancement needed for heat transfer improvement with manufacturing feasibility.
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 enhances axial heat transfer capabilities, allowing for approximately 80% greater heat transfer compared to conventional systems, while maintaining a compact design and preventing coking.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of helical grooves direct the cooling liquid along the proximal surface of the outer axially extending member in a helical cooling liquid flow direction
Implementation Method 2
convectively cooling the oil slinger system, wherein the oil slinger system comprises a seal runner
Data Source
AI summary
Oil slinger systems include a seal runner comprising an annular radial member having a radius (R) and an outer axially extending member having an axial length (L), wherein a proximal surface of the outer axially extending member comprising a plurality of helical grooves. Methods of radial convective cooling include pumping a cooling liquid through the oil slinger system and convectively cooling the oil slinger.