Stator Vane Platform Sloped Face for Gas Turbine Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbine engines, a significant amount of air can escape past seals at the inner end shroud of cantilevered vanes, leading to frictional heating and increased temperature in the compressor section due to air swirling under the shroud, which affects thermal management.
Innovation Solution
The use of a radially sloped face on the platform of the stator vane and a protruding ramp on the rotor arm directs compressed air away from the rotor arm, guiding it along the stator vane platform instead, thereby reducing frictional heating and improving thermal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If seals are provided at the inner end shroud to prevent air leakage, then air loss is reduced, but frictional heating and temperature increase still occur due to air swirling under the shroud
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful swirling airflow is extracted and redirected away from the rotor arm surface. The sloped face and protruding ramp extract the air that would otherwise swirl under the shroud and contact the rotor arm, channeling it along the stator vane platform instead, thereby eliminating the source of frictional heating while maintaining seal effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The sloped face and protruding ramp structure acts as an intermediary element between the sealed cavity and the rotor arm. This intermediary redirects the airflow path, preventing direct contact between the swirling air and the rotor arm surface, thus mediating between the need for sealing and the need to prevent frictional heating
2Temperature
If a radially sloped face and protruding ramp are added to redirect airflow, then frictional heating is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control features (sloped face and protruding ramp) are merged with the existing stator vane platform structure rather than being separate components. This integration achieves airflow redirection while minimizing additional structural complexity, as the features are formed as part of the platform itself rather than as add-on elements
Solution Approach 2:
The complex geometry is localized only where needed - on the platform of the stator vane where airflow redirection is required. The rest of the engine structure remains unchanged, applying complexity only locally at the critical interface between the sealed cavity and rotor arm rather than throughout the entire system
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 effectively reduces frictional heating by controlling the airflow, enhancing thermal management and efficiency in the compressor section of the gas turbine engine.
Implementation Method 1
The use of a radially sloped face on the platform of the stator vane and a protruding ramp on the rotor arm directs compressed air away from the rotor arm, guiding it along the stator vane platform instead
Implementation Method 2
This configuration effectively reduces frictional heating by controlling the airflow, enhancing thermal management and efficiency in the compressor section
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~10
AI summary
A gas turbine engine comprises a row of stator vanes (76) and a rotor (60) including a rim (66) and an arm (72). The stator vane (76) has an airfoil and a platform (80) with a first radial side (80a) and a second radial side (80b), and a platform axial leading end (80c) and a platform axial trailing end (80d). An airfoil portion (82) extends radially outwardly from the first side (80a). The platform axial trailing end (80d) includes a rear axial face (190) that extends from the first radial side (80a) and a radially sloped face (192) that extends from the rear axial face (190) to the second radial side (80b). A cavity (86) extends from an inlet (86a), between the arm (72) and the platform (80), to an outlet (86b).