Splitter Cooling Circuit for Gas Turbine Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in reducing the operational temperature of lubrication fluid effectively, leading to increased costs and weight due to the need for large heat exchangers, which compromises engine efficiency, especially during low thrust conditions.
Innovation Solution
A splitter assembly with a radially inner and outer wall and an inner support structure forms a cooling circuit to circulate lubrication fluid, reducing its temperature and increasing the temperature of the splitter's surfaces, thereby acting as a heat exchanger to cool the oil and prevent ice formation without requiring an external anti-icing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a relatively large heat exchanger is used to cool the lubrication fluid during low thrust conditions, then the lubrication fluid temperature is reduced effectively, but the cost and weight of the gas turbine engine assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat exchanger functionality with the splitter structure by integrating cooling circuits into the splitter walls. The splitter serves dual purposes: directing airflow and cooling the lubrication fluid through its integrated cooling circuits, eliminating the need for a separate large heat exchanger assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The splitter is designed to perform multiple functions: it directs airflow through the engine, structures the air passage, and simultaneously acts as a heat exchanger to cool the lubrication fluid. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components and decreases weight while maintaining effective cooling during low thrust conditions.
2Temperature
If a relatively large heat exchanger is used to cool the lubrication fluid, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger cooling circuits are integrated directly into the splitter walls, combining two previously separate systems (airflow structure and cooling system) into one unified component. This integration simplifies the overall device structure and reduces the number of separate parts that need to be assembled and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The splitter structure serves multiple functions including airflow direction and heat exchange, eliminating the need for separate dedicated heat exchanger components. This multi-functional design reduces device complexity while maintaining effective lubrication fluid cooling capability.
3Temperature
If airflow is channeled through an external heat exchanger to cool the lubrication fluid, then the lubrication fluid temperature is reduced, but the engine efficiency decreases due to increased weight
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling circuits are integrated into the splitter structure, allowing the same component to both direct airflow and cool the lubrication fluid. This eliminates the need for separate heavy heat exchanger equipment, reducing overall engine weight and improving efficiency while maintaining effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The splitter performs multiple functions including airflow management and heat exchange, eliminating the need for additional dedicated cooling equipment. This reduces the overall weight of the engine system, thereby improving fuel efficiency and reducing energy losses while still achieving effective lubrication fluid temperature reduction.
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 solution reduces the operational temperature of the lubrication fluid, prevents ice accumulation, and enhances engine efficiency by eliminating the need for a large heat exchanger, thus reducing weight and maintaining performance without external control systems.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling circuit extending through a portion of the inner support structure for circulating lubrication fluid through the flowpath such that as a temperature of the lubrication oil is reduced and a temperature of at least a portion of the inner and outer walls is increased
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assembling a turbine engine to facilitate reducing an operating temperature of a lubrication fluid during engine operation, the gas turbine engine including a fan assembly, a booster downstream from the fan assembly, and a splitter circumscribing the booster. The method includes coupling a radially inner wall and a radially outer wall at a leading edge to form a splitter body, and coupling an inner support structure within the splitter body such that a cooling circuit is defined between at least a portion of the inner support structure and the inner and outer walls, said cooling circuit configured to circulate lubrication fluid therethrough such that as a temperature of the lubrication fluid is reduced and a temperature of at least a portion of the inner and outer walls is increased.