Stator Hub Redirection Structures for Turbine Engine Leakage Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Leakage air flow in turbine engine compressor sections leads to efficiency losses by flowing in a direction different from the core air flow, causing mixing losses and potential premature separation of the core air flow.
Innovation Solution
Redirection structures are coupled or formed with stator hubs to merge the leakage air flow with the core air flow, reducing mixing losses and providing loading relief by redirecting the leakage air flow in a direction at least partially parallel to the core air flow, using a brazed metal structure on the stator hub's front edge and facing surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If shrouded hubs and blades are used to increase efficiency, then overall turbine engine efficiency is improved, but leakage air flow is created that causes efficiency losses
Solution Approach 1:
The invention redirects the harmful leakage air flow generated by shrouded hubs and blades back into the core air flow path. By using redirection structures on stator hubs and blades, the leakage flow is converted from a harmful efficiency-loss factor into a beneficial component that merges with the core flow, thereby resolving the contradiction between using shrouded components and preventing efficiency losses.
2Device complexity
If leakage air flow is allowed to flow freely, then device complexity is reduced, but mixing losses and premature separation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the stator hub and blade surfaces by adding discrete redirection structures (such as tabs, vanes, or redirected surfaces) that are coupled to or formed with the stator hub. These segmented structures selectively redirect the leakage air flow without requiring a complete redesign of the entire stator assembly, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity while effectively reducing mixing losses.
3Productivity
If redirection structures are added to stator hubs, then loading relief is provided and efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies redirection structures only at specific locations where leakage air flow problems occur most severely - on the stator hub surfaces and leading/trailing edges. This localized application provides the necessary loading relief and efficiency improvement without adding complexity to the entire compressor structure, resolving the contradiction between performance improvement and structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A stator structure including a plurality of stator blades and redirection structures including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion disposed on a front edge surface of a stator hub and a second portion disposed on a facing of the stator hub is provided. The stator hub includes the facing and the front edge surface, the facing being disposed generally perpendicular to the casing, and the front edge surface is disposed generally perpendicular to the facing. During operation of a turbine engine a core air flow moves along the longitudinal axis and past the plurality of stator blades, and a leakage air flow moves in a direction different to the core air flow, the redirection structures are effective to redirect the leakage air flow to merge into the core air flow.