Static Vane Resistive Heating for Thin-Wall Anti-Icing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-icing/de-icing solutions for thin static vanes in gas turbine engines face challenges due to incompatibility with pneumatic systems and thickness limitations of commercially available electrothermal heaters.
Innovation Solution
A vane heating system utilizing an electrically resistive material within the vane cavity, powered by an electric power source, to increase the temperature of the static vanes for anti-icing/de-icing functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If thin static vanes are used to improve aerodynamic efficiency, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but the wall thickness becomes insufficient for pneumatic anti-icing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic anti-icing system with an electrothermal heating system. Instead of using pneumatic pressure to deliver anti-icing fluid through the vane walls, the invention uses electrically resistive material and electric power sources to generate heat directly within the thin vane structure, eliminating the need for thick walls to accommodate pneumatic channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties by introducing electrically resistive material into the vane cavity. This material converts electrical energy into thermal energy, fundamentally changing the anti-icing mechanism from mechanical/pneumatic to electrical/thermal, enabling thin-walled vanes to achieve anti-icing functionality.
2Productivity
If thin static vanes are used to improve aerodynamic efficiency, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but commercially available heaters cannot be positioned within the vane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating function into multiple electric power sources distributed within the vane cavity. Rather than attempting to install a single large commercial heater, the system uses multiple smaller heating elements or resistive material sections that can be accommodated within the limited space of thin-walled vanes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the heater installation approach by using electrically resistive material that can be integrated directly into the vane cavity structure. This eliminates the need for separate heater installation and positioning, as the resistive material itself becomes the heating element distributed throughout the available space.
3Reliability
If pneumatic anti-icing systems are used, then anti-icing functionality is provided, but the system is incompatible with thin-walled static vanes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the pneumatic anti-icing system with an electrothermal system. The mechanical/pneumatic delivery method is replaced with electrical heating, allowing the anti-icing functionality to be maintained while adapting to thin-walled structures that cannot accommodate pneumatic channels or pressure systems.
4Temperature
If electrothermal heaters are used for thin static vanes, then heating capability is provided, but the vanes are below minimum thickness for heater insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach to electrothermal heating by using electrically resistive material that can be applied as a coating, embedded in composite materials, or integrated into the vane cavity as a thin layer. This transforms the heating solution from requiring thick walls for discrete heater installation to using thin-film or distributed resistive heating that works within the constraints of thin-walled vanes.
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
Provides effective anti-icing/de-icing capability without relying on pneumatic or electrothermal heaters, enhancing structural strength and reducing weight, while being reliable and less prone to damage.
Implementation Method 1
When the electric current is supplied to the electrically resistive material, a temperature of the static vane increases
Data Source
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AI summary
A vane heating system (300) for an engine includes a plurality of static vanes (200), an electrically resistive material (214), and an electric power source (302). The static vanes are disposed within the engine, and each static vane has an inner surface (208) that defines a vane cavity (214). The electrically resistive material is disposed within the vane cavity of each static vane. The electric power source (302) is electrically coupled to, and is configured to selectively supply an electric current to, the electrically resistive material (214) in each static vane (200). When the electric current is supplied to the electrically resistive material, a temperature of the static vane increases, thereby providing an anti-icing/de-icing capability.