Serpentine Cooling Passage for Gas Turbine Flow Path Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine flow path components face challenges in effectively cooling high-temperature areas due to the undesirable effects of coolant purging on flow paths, particularly when coolant is purged onto the suction side, which can hinder efficient cooling of hotter sides of the flow path components.
Innovation Solution
A serpentine cooling passage with radially aligned segments is integrated into the flow path component, featuring a shielded cavity and a coolant purge system that directs coolant from the serpentine cooling passage into the flow path on the cold side, ensuring effective cooling and shielding of the hot side from extreme temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If coolant is purged onto the suction side to cool the flow path component, then the suction side cooling is improved, but the cooling efficiency of the hotter pressure side deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The serpentine cooling passage is divided into multiple segments (first subset, second subset, third subset) positioned at different locations within the flow path component. This segmentation allows coolant to be directed to different regions (suction side, pressure side, cavity) through dedicated pathways, enabling simultaneous cooling of multiple high-temperature zones without the coolant streams interfering with each other's effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
Different subsets of serpentine cooling passage segments are strategically positioned to provide cooling to different locations: the first subset cools the suction side, the second subset cools the pressure side, and the third subset shields the cavity. This localized cooling approach ensures that each region receives cooling targeted to its specific thermal requirements, maximizing overall cooling efficiency
2Device complexity
If a simple cooling passage design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to shield internal cavities from heat deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling passage transitions from a conventional two-dimensional planar layout to a three-dimensional serpentine configuration that winds through the flow path component. This serpentine path allows the cooling passage to reach and shield the cavity region, providing thermal protection to internal structures that would be inaccessible to simple linear cooling passages while maintaining a relatively compact design
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 serpentine cooling passage effectively shields the cavity from heat and provides consistent cooling across the flow path component, enhancing the durability and performance of gas turbine engine components by maintaining efficient fluid flow and temperature regulation.
Implementation Method 1
a serpentine cooling passage including a plurality of segments... wherein a first subset of the segments disposed along one of the first side and the second side of the cross sectional profile... to prevent damage resulting from this exposure, in some examples the flow path components are actively cooled using cooling flow paths contained within the flow path component
Implementation Method 2
passing a coolant through a first subset of segments of a serpentine cooling passage... passing the coolant through a second subset of segments of the serpentine cooling passage
Implementation Method 3
at least one coolant purge connecting an aft most segment of the plurality of segments to a flow path, the coolant purge being configured to purge coolant into the flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A flow path component for a gas powered turbine includes a flow path component body having cross sectional profile having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading edge is connected to the trailing edge by a first side and by a second side opposite the first side. A serpentine cooling passage includes a plurality of segments, each of the segments being generally radially aligned. A first subset of the segments is disposed along one of the first side and the second side of the cross sectional profile, and a second subset of the segments spans the flow path component body from the first side to the second side. A cavity is positioned internal to the flow path component body. The cavity is at least partially shielded from one of the first side and the second side by at least one of the plurality of segments.