Gas Turbine Stator Vane Platform Cooling Contour
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stator vane cooling configurations in gas turbine engines are inefficient in directing cooling fluids to effectively cool the inner platforms, particularly due to the design of the airfoil components and the orientation of cooling holes, which limits the heat management and sealing effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The airfoil component features a contoured surface with angles greater than 0° to 65° relative to the flow path and lateral surfaces, with cooling holes directed aftward, and a slot for a seal to enhance cooling and sealing, allowing improved heat dissipation and fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If shower head cooling holes are provided on the lateral surface to cool the inner platform, then cooling is provided to the inner platform area, but the cooling efficiency is limited due to the right-angled corner geometry and the cooling fluid does not effectively reach the gap area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional right-angled corner geometry with a contoured surface that has curved transitions between the inner flow path surface and the lateral surface. This curvature allows cooling holes to be oriented at optimal angles (greater than 0° to 65°) to direct cooling fluid effectively into the gap area between adjacent stator vanes, significantly improving cooling efficiency compared to perpendicular drilling from a right-angled corner.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates distinct zones with different functions: the contoured surface provides optimized cooling hole orientation for effective heat dissipation, while the lateral surface maintains its sealing function. The cooling holes are specifically positioned and angled to target the gap area between adjacent vanes, providing localized cooling where it is most needed rather than uniform cooling across the entire inner platform.
2Ease of manufacture
If the lateral surfaces provide a sharp right-angled corner with the inner flow path surface, then manufacturing is simplified, but cooling effectiveness is reduced due to poor fluid direction to the gap area
Solution Approach 1:
The contoured surface with curved transitions replaces sharp right-angled corners, optimizing the orientation of cooling holes to direct cooling fluid into the gap area. While this adds some manufacturing complexity, it significantly improves heat management effectiveness by enabling proper cooling fluid flow direction that the right-angled geometry cannot achieve.
3Ease of manufacture
If cooling holes are drilled perpendicular to the lateral surface, then manufacturing is easier, but the cooling fluid does not effectively reach the gap between adjacent stator vanes
Solution Approach 1:
The contoured surface enables cooling holes to be drilled at optimized angles (greater than 0° to 65° relative to the lateral surface) specifically targeted at the gap area between adjacent stator vanes. This localized optimization of hole orientation ensures cooling fluid is directed precisely where needed, improving gap area cooling effectiveness while maintaining reasonable manufacturing feasibility.
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 configuration enhances cooling efficiency by directing hot gases away from the gap between stator vanes, improving heat management and sealing, thereby increasing the operational reliability and efficiency of gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
cooling holes directed aftward... directing hot gases away from the gap between stator vanes... enhance cooling efficiency
Implementation Method 2
contoured surface with angles greater than 0° to 65° relative to the flow path and lateral surfaces... improving heat management
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 5B
AI summary
An airfoil component for a gas turbine engine includes a platform joined to an airfoil. The platform includes a flow path surface that extends between spaced apart lateral surfaces. The airfoil extends from the flow path surface. A contoured surface adjoins the flow path surface and one of the lateral surfaces.