Single-Walled Combustor Liner with Venturi and Air Deflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and high manufacturing cost of double-walled venturi structures in turbine engine combustors lead to air leaks and reduced efficiency, along with the generation of undesirable combustion by-products.
Innovation Solution
A single-walled combustor liner with a venturi formed by inclined portions and an air deflector to direct cooling air onto the exterior of the reduced diameter portion, eliminating the need for a double-walled structure and enhancing cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a two-walled venturi structure is used for cooling, then the venturi is protected from hot combustion gases, but the structure becomes complex and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inner and outer walls into a single-walled structure with integrated cooling features. The cooling air passages are formed within the single wall itself, eliminating the need for a separate two-walled construction while maintaining the cooling function. This reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while preserving temperature protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cooling air passages within the thickness of the single wall, utilizing the dimensional space inside the wall structure. This allows cooling functionality to be embedded within the single wall rather than requiring a separate two-walled annular space, thereby simplifying the overall structure.
2Temperature
If a two-walled venturi structure is used, then cooling air can pass through the annular space, but air leaks occur that reduce turbine efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the cooling passages into the single wall structure, the patent eliminates the annular space between inner and outer walls that is prone to air leaks. The integrated design ensures better sealing and prevents unwanted air leakage that would reduce turbine efficiency, while still delivering effective cooling to the venturi section.
3Temperature
If a two-walled venturi structure is used, then cooling is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single-walled design with integrated cooling passages reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This simplification directly lowers manufacturing cost while maintaining the cooling effectiveness through the embedded passages within the single wall structure.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single-walled structure is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but cooling effectiveness must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates cooling air passages within the thickness of the single wall, utilizing the internal dimensional space of the wall structure. This allows the single-walled design to achieve cooling effectiveness comparable to two-walled structures by embedding the cooling functionality within the wall itself rather than requiring an external annular space.
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 single-walled design simplifies manufacturing, reduces air leaks, and maintains combustion parameters similar to double-walled structures, improving efficiency and reducing the generation of undesirable by-products.
Implementation Method 1
An air deflector is mounted on an exterior of the single-walled liner such that there is an annular space between an interior of the air deflector and an exterior of the liner. The air deflector deflects a portion of a flow of air that is passing along the exterior of the liner from the aft end toward the head end onto an exterior of the reduced diameter portion of the liner.
Implementation Method 2
The venturi is formed by a first inclined portion of the single-walled liner that reduces in diameter while progressing in the aft direction and a second inclined portion of the single-walled liner that increases in diameter while progressing in the aft direction.
Data Source
AI summary
A combustor liner for a combustor of a turbine engine includes a single-walled generally cylindrical liner that extends from a head end to an aft end. A venturi is formed on the combustor liner at a location between the head and aft ends. The venturi is formed by first and second straight portions of the combustor liner that angle inward to form a reduced diameter portion. The combustor liner may also include an air deflector to deflect air down onto the exterior of the reduced diameter portion of the single-walled combustor liner. The combustor liner may also include dilution holes, and turbulator rings.