Slot Cooled Combustor Double-Wall Heat Shield Panels

The combustor structure is segmented into multiple heat shield panels that can be independently cooled. Each panel is a separate component that can be cooled individually through the double-wall system with air slots, allowing distributed heat management across the combustion chamber while maintaining high combustion efficiency in the minimized volume.

A double-wall cooling system with air slots is introduced as an intermediary between the combustion chamber and the heat shield panels. Cool air from the compressor is channeled through passages in the double-wall structure and discharged through air slots onto the panel surfaces, creating a cooling barrier that protects the structure from direct exposure to high temperatures while maintaining compact combustion volume.

The double-wall structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural framework of the combustor, creates cooling passages for air flow, and forms the basis for the heat shield panel mounting system. The air slots serve dual purposes as both structural features and cooling discharge points, reducing the need for separate cooling components and simplifying the overall system while maintaining structural integrity.

The cooling system utilizes changes in air parameters (temperature, pressure, velocity) as it flows through the double-wall passages and discharges through air slots. The air is cooled and pressurized in the passages, then accelerated through the slots to create effective impingement cooling on the panels. This parameter transformation approach provides effective cooling without requiring complex active control systems.