Swirler-Ferrule Surface Features for Flow Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing swirler-ferrule assemblies in engines face challenges with flow instabilities and the risk of auto-ignition due to interactions between the ferrule air flow and the primary swirler vane air flow, which can lead to recirculation zones and low velocity regions.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of surface features such as curved surfaces or grooves on the primary swirler vane and/or the ferrule helps to direct air flows away from recirculation zones, reducing flow instabilities and preventing fuel-air mixture flow into low velocity regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the ferrule air flow and primary swirler vane air flow interact, then the mixing of air and fuel is enhanced, but recirculation zones and low velocity regions are formed causing flow instabilities and auto-ignition risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair-fuel mixingVSAvoidflow stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A secondary swirler vane is introduced as an intermediary component between the ferrule and the primary swirler vane. The secondary vane includes a secondary air passage that directs air flow to interact with fuel flow before reaching the primary swirler vane, thereby mediating the mixing process to prevent direct harmful interaction between ferrule air flow and primary swirler vane air flow that would create recirculation zones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The air flow path is segmented into multiple distinct passages: a ferrule air passage, a primary air passage through the primary swirler vane, and a secondary air passage through the secondary swirler vane. This segmentation allows each air flow to be controlled and directed separately, preventing the formation of recirculation zones while maintaining effective mixing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the fuel nozzle is positioned to allow direct interaction with primary swirler vane air flow, then mixing efficiency is improved, but the risk of auto-ignition increases due to low velocity regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidauto-ignition risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary swirler vane performs preliminary mixing action by directing secondary air flow to interact with fuel flow before the mixture reaches the primary swirler vane. This preliminary action ensures that mixing begins in a controlled environment with appropriate velocity, preventing the formation of low velocity regions that would lead to auto-ignition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary swirler vane acts as an intermediary that controls the interaction between fuel flow and air flow. It provides a controlled interface where mixing occurs without creating harmful recirculation zones or low velocity regions, thereby reducing auto-ignition risk while maintaining mixing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces flow instabilities and minimizes the risk of auto-ignition by eliminating recirculation zones and low velocity regions, thereby enhancing the performance and reliability of the swirler-ferrule assembly.

Implementation Method 1

a surface feature having a trailing end and a distal end, the surface feature being located on the primary swirler vane and configured to direct an air flow through the primary air passage away from a recirculation zone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow direction control through surface geometry: Geometry

Implementation Method 2

a ferrule connected to the radial swirler, the ferrule configured to center the fuel nozzle in the radial swirler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical centering: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

The swirler and the ferrule may introduce an air flow to the combustor for mixing with a fuel flow from the fuel nozzle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid mixing: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentUS20250035304A1Swirler-ferrule assembly

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A swirler-ferrule assembly includes a radial swirler, a ferrule, a fuel nozzle, and a surface feature. The radial swirler includes a primary swirler vane having a primary air passage and a secondary swirler vane having a secondary air passage. The ferrule may be connected to the radial swirler. The surface feature may be located on the primary swirler vane and/or the ferrule. The surface feature may be configured to direct an air flow through the primary air passage away from a recirculation zone located upstream of the primary swirler vane. The surface feature has a trailing end and a distal end, and the fuel nozzle is axially aligned with the trailing end of the surface feature or is located axially downstream of the trailing end of the surface feature. The surface feature may have a plurality of grooves.