Steam Turbine Bypass Routing for Condensation-Free Steam Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbine engines face challenges in achieving sufficient heat absorption for steam generation and condensation accumulation, which affects efficiency and performance, particularly during varying operating conditions such as idling and takeoff.

Innovation Solution

A steam injection system with a bypass passage and controller to regulate steam flow around steam turbines, ensuring adequate heat input and preventing condensation by routing steam flows based on engine conditions, using multiple heat inputs to enhance steam quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If water is extracted from exhaust gas flow and transformed into steam to enhance engine efficiency, then thermal efficiency is improved, but heat absorption capacity may be insufficient to generate adequate steam flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal efficiencyVSAvoidsteam flow quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested steam turbine configuration where a first steam turbine and second steam turbine are arranged in series. The first steam turbine receives steam from the evaporator and outputs a first cooled flow, which then enters the second steam turbine. This nested arrangement allows multiple stages of energy extraction from the steam, maximizing heat absorption capacity and generating sufficient steam flow to drive both turbines while maintaining improved thermal efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Power

If steam is expanded through steam turbine to generate power, then mechanical power is produced, but condensation accumulation reduces efficiency gains

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical powerVSAvoidcondensation accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a bypass passage that allows steam to bypass the steam turbine under certain operating conditions. A controller monitors engine operating parameters and activates the bypass passage when condensation accumulation is detected or predicted. This preliminary action prevents condensation from forming in the first place by routing steam around the turbine, thereby maintaining efficiency gains while still allowing the turbine to generate mechanical power when conditions are favorable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts steam flow routing based on real-time operating conditions. The controller continuously monitors parameters such as temperature, pressure, and steam quality, and automatically switches between turbine operation mode and bypass mode. This dynamic adjustment ensures the system optimizes mechanical power generation while preventing condensation accumulation that would reduce efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple heat inputs are applied to enhance steam quality, then steam quality improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteam qualityVSAvoidheat input system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the exhaust gas flow to serve multiple heating functions. The same exhaust gas stream provides heat input to both the evaporator (generating steam) and the superheater (enhancing steam quality). This multi-functional use of the exhaust gas eliminates the need for separate heating systems, thereby improving steam quality through multiple heat inputs while avoiding the complexity that would result from adding independent heating devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances engine efficiency and power by optimizing steam quality and preventing condensation, thereby improving thermal and propulsive efficiencies across different operating conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a condenser where water is extracted from the exhaust gas flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 2

an evaporator where heat is input into the water that is extracted by the condenser to generate a first steam flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

a first steam turbine where the first steam flow is expanded and cooled to generate a first cooled flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdiabatic cooling: Adiabatic Cooling

Implementation Method 4

a superheater where at least one of the first steam flow and the first cooled flow is reheated to generate a second steam flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12546250B2Steam turbine bypass for increased water heat absorption capacity steam injected turbine engine

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 RTX CORP

AI summary

A turbine engine assembly includes a core engine that generates an exhaust gas flow, a condenser where water is extracted from the exhaust gas flow, an evaporator where heat is input into the water that is extracted by the condenser to generate a first steam flow, a first steam turbine where the first steam flow is expanded and cooled to generate a first cooled flow, a bypass passage that defines a path for the first steam flow around the first steam turbine, and a superheater where at least one of the first steam flow and the first cooled flow is reheated to generate a second steam flow.