Self-Cleaning Hydrocarbon Conduits Using Thermal Mesh Sleeves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Carbonaceous deposits (coke) form on the surfaces of conduits in gas turbine engines due to exposure to hydrocarbon fluids at elevated temperatures, leading to blockages and maintenance challenges, especially in oil tubes within the engine's core airflow path.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a mesh sleeve made of shape memory alloy or bimetallic materials within the conduits, which undergoes thermal cycling to change shape and break up coke deposits, allowing natural fluid flow to remove them, thereby preventing buildup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If conduits are used to convey hydrocarbon fluids at elevated temperatures, then the engine can operate efficiently, but carbonaceous deposits form on the conduit surfaces leading to blockages and maintenance challenges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine operation efficiencyVSAvoidconduit blockage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh sleeve is designed to automatically clean the conduit interior surfaces through thermal cycling-induced shape changes. The system serves itself by using the temperature variations already present during engine operation to drive the cleaning mechanism, eliminating the need for external cleaning systems or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh sleeve utilizes changes in temperature parameters during engine operation to induce shape memory effects. As the temperature cycles between operating ranges, the mesh sleeve transforms between different shapes, enabling it to scrape and remove deposits from the conduit surfaces without requiring additional energy input or control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a mesh sleeve made of shape memory alloy or bimetallic materials is incorporated in the conduits, then coke deposits can be broken up and removed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeposit removal effectivenessVSAvoidconduit structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh sleeve is constructed as a flexible, thin-walled structure that can elastically deform and change shape in response to temperature variations. This flexible design allows the sleeve to conform to the conduit interior while performing the cleaning function, avoiding the need for complex mechanical actuation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh sleeve is made from shape memory alloys or bimetallic materials that combine multiple material properties in a single component. These composite materials provide both structural integrity and the thermally-responsive shape-changing capability needed for automatic cleaning, reducing the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Loss of time

If the mesh sleeve undergoes thermal cycling to change shape and break up deposits, then maintenance needs are reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance timeVSAvoidmesh sleeve dimensional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh sleeve is designed as a dynamic component that changes its shape in response to operating conditions rather than maintaining a fixed geometry. This dynamic capability allows the sleeve to adapt to thermal cycling and mechanical stresses during operation, reducing the stringency of manufacturing tolerances compared to static components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 self-cleaning mechanism effectively disrupts and removes coke deposits, reducing maintenance needs and preventing blockages in hydrocarbon fluid conduits, ensuring continuous engine operation.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating a mesh sleeve made of shape memory alloy or bimetallic materials within the conduits, which undergoes thermal cycling to change shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory alloy: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 2

undergoes thermal cycling to change shape and break up coke deposits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

a movable sleeve positioned within the flow passage to abut the interior surface and movable along the interior surface in response to a change in an operating characteristic of the conduit to break-up deposits on the interior surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal cycling:

Data Source

PatentUS12090462B2Self-cleaning conduits for hydrocarbon fluids

Publication Date: 2024.09.17 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A self-cleaning conduit for a hydrocarbon fluid. The conduit includes a tube and a movable sleeve. The tube has an interior surface defining a flow passage for the hydrocarbon fluid. The movable sleeve is positioned within the flow passage to abut the interior surface and is movable along the interior surface in response to a change in an operating characteristic of the conduit to break-up deposits on the interior surface.