Splittered Compressor Airfoils for Hub Flow Separation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine designs face challenges in achieving aerodynamic efficiency and stability while balancing weight and manufacturing complexity, particularly in the hub region of airfoils, where reducing airfoil count can lead to flow separation and increased losses.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a combination of non-splittered and splittered airfoils in alternating arrangements, with splittered airfoils having a reduced height, to maintain efficient airflow and stability without increasing weight, thereby improving rotor performance and simplifying manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the airfoil count is reduced to decrease weight, then weight is reduced, but flow separation and losses increase in the hub region
Solution Approach 1:
The airfoil is segmented into two distinct parts: a first airfoil with full height extending from the hub to the tip, and a second airfoil with reduced height extending only from the hub to an intermediate position. This segmentation allows the first airfoil to maintain proper airflow attachment in the hub region while the second airfoil reduces overall weight, thereby resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and flow separation prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the rotor assembly are given different airfoil characteristics - the first airfoil maintains full height for proper hub region flow control, while the second airfoil has reduced height for weight reduction. This local differentiation of airfoil quality allows optimal performance in each region, resolving the contradiction between weight and flow separation losses.
2Ease of manufacture
If the airfoil count is reduced to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but aerodynamic efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The airfoil is divided into a first airfoil and a second airfoil with different height characteristics. This segmentation enables manufacturing simplification through potential modular construction while preserving aerodynamic efficiency by maintaining the first airfoil's full height for proper flow control and the second airfoil's reduced height for weight reduction.
3Weight of moving object
If splittered airfoils with reduced height are used to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first airfoil and second airfoil are merged into a single integrated airfoil structure where the second airfoil is positioned adjacent to and alongside the first airfoil. This merging approach reduces weight through the reduced-height second airfoil while avoiding excessive complexity by maintaining a relatively simple combined structure that can be manufactured as one piece or closely integrated components.
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 aerodynamic efficiency and stability in the hub region by mitigating flow separation and reducing weight, while maintaining performance and manufacturing simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
reducing airfoil count can lead to flow separation and increased losses
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor section for a gas turbine engine defining a centerline axis, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction includes a hub extending along the centerline axis, a plurality of non-splittered airfoils extending from the hub from an airfoil root to an airfoil tip opposite the airfoil root, and a plurality of splittered airfoils extending from a splittered root to a splittered tip. Each of the non-splittered airfoils include an airfoil leading edge, an airfoil trailing edge, an airfoil pressure side, and an airfoil suction side. Each of the plurality of splittered airfoils include a splittered leading edge, a splittered trailing edge, a splittered pressure side, and a splittered suction. Each of the plurality of splittered airfoils are disposed between the non-splittered airfoils, and each of the plurality of splittered airfoils include a splittered root coupled to the hub and a splittered tip opposite the splittered root.