Split-zone T-tube metering device for gas turbine cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine engines face limitations in thermal, transfer, assembly, and propulsive efficiencies, and existing speed reduction mechanisms for the fan section are not optimized for improved performance.
Innovation Solution
A two-spool turbofan gas turbine engine design incorporating a thermal management system with a metering device that divides a cooling stream into segregated passages to efficiently cool multiple turbine sections, utilizing an epicyclic gear train for speed reduction and a T-shaped tube with an orifice plate to meter airflow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single cooling stream is used for multiple turbine sections, then the device complexity is reduced, but the thermal management precision and cooling effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The single cooling stream is segmented into multiple separate cooling passages, each dedicated to specific turbine sections. The metering device divides the cooling stream into first and second segregated passages that independently cool different turbine sections, allowing precise temperature control for each section while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different turbine sections receive customized cooling through segregated passages with specific metering characteristics. The orifice plate with multiple orifices of different sizes allows each passage to deliver appropriate cooling flow rates tailored to the local thermal requirements of different turbine sections, optimizing cooling effectiveness locally.
2Temperature
If multiple external feed lines are used to cool different turbine sections, then the thermal management precision improves, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cooling functions that would traditionally require separate external feed lines are merged into a single integrated metering device. The T-shaped tube with segregated passages consolidates multiple cooling stream paths into one component, achieving precise thermal management of different turbine sections while eliminating the need for multiple external feed lines and reducing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The metering device performs multiple cooling functions simultaneously through its segregated passages. A single device delivers customized cooling flows to different turbine sections, making it a universal cooling solution that replaces multiple specialized feed lines and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If an orifice plate with multiple orifices is used in the T-shaped tube, then the airflow metering precision improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The orifice plate uses multiple orifices with different sized openings to create specific flow resistance parameters for each cooling passage. By varying the orifice dimensions, the system achieves precise control over airflow distribution to different turbine sections. The manufacturing complexity is managed by using standard machining operations to create these controlled geometric parameters.
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 design enhances engine efficiency by optimizing airflow distribution, reducing fuel consumption, and improving thermal management, allowing for separate cooling of engine components and reducing the need for external feed lines, thereby enhancing overall engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
an orifice plate having a plurality of orifices that open into a first passage and a central orifice that opens into a second passage
Data Source
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AI summary
A gas turbine engine includes a core engine that has a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. A thermal management system is configured to receive a cooling stream. The thermal management system includes a metering device that is located near an outer diameter of the core engine. The metering device is configured to divide the cooling stream into multiple segregated passages. The metering device can be configured to divide the cooling stream between a first passage and a second passage that is concentric with the first passage.