Shared-Rotor Turbine Generator Without Secondary Shafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engines face inefficiencies due to lower thermal efficiency, complex cooling requirements, and mechanical constraints when integrated with electrical generators, particularly in unmanned vehicles and mobile generator applications.
Innovation Solution
A shared-rotor system is introduced, where a gas turbine engine and an electrical turbine generator are connected via a housing, eliminating the need for a secondary shaft and gearbox, allowing the electrical turbine generator to operate independently with a lower rotation rate and without obstructing inlet flow, thus reducing volume and cooling complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a conventional turbo generator configuration is used with the generator located in front of or embedded inside the gas turbine engine, then the system can generate electrical power, but the device complexity increases due to the need for secondary shafts, gearboxes, and complex cooling schemes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gas turbine engine and electrical turbine generator into a single integrated unit where the generator rotor is positioned within the gas turbine exhaust flow path. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate shafts and gearboxes, directly resolving the technical contradiction by reducing device complexity while maintaining power generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated rotor assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the gas turbine rotor for mechanical power extraction and the generator rotor for electrical power generation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate drive shafts and reduces overall system complexity.
2Volume of moving object
If the electrical turbine generator is embedded inside the gas turbine engine, then the volume is reduced, but the cooling requirements become more complex and the inlet flow is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the generator rotor within the exhaust flow path dimension, utilizing the axial space behind the gas turbine blades. This spatial arrangement allows the generator to be integrated without obstructing the inlet flow path and without requiring complex internal cooling schemes, as the exhaust gases themselves provide the cooling environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust gases from the gas turbine combustion process serve dual purposes: they drive the generator rotor for power generation and simultaneously provide cooling for the generator components. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate cooling systems while maintaining compact volume.
3Power
If the generator rotor is connected to the main engine drive shaft, then the electrical power can be generated at high rotational speeds, but the rotation rate of the generator becomes excessively high requiring additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gas turbine rotor and generator rotor into a single integrated rotor assembly. This merger allows the generator to operate at the optimal rotational speed directly driven by the exhaust gases, eliminating the need for speed-matching gearboxes or secondary shafts that would be required if the generator were separately connected to the main drive shaft.
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 thermal efficiency, reduces volume, and simplifies integration by eliminating secondary shafts and cooling requirements, while maintaining high power density and operability at high altitudes.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor assembly having a plurality of blades that does not compress gas and induces rotation in response to an exhaust gas stream from a gas turbine engine
Implementation Method 2
a stator assembly having a plurality of stator windings that are electro-magnetically coupled with the rotor assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical turbine generator is herein disclosed. The electrical turbine generator comprises a movable shaft and a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly comprises a plurality of blades not configured to compress gas and a generator rotor, the plurality of blades coupled to the generator rotor, the rotor assembly being supported by the movable shaft; a stator assembly including a plurality of stator windings electro-magnetically coupled to the rotor assembly; a housing supporting the rotor assembly and the stator assembly, the housing having an exhaust inlet opening and exhaust outlet opening, the exhaust inlet opening and the exhaust outlet opening aligned with the blades of the rotor assembly; and a power converter in communication with the stator windings to convert electrical energy induced in the stator windings into an output current having at least one of a steady frequency and a steady voltage.