Tangential Secondary Fluid Injection for Gas Turbine Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines experience significant aerodynamic losses due to mixing and endwall losses, particularly the formation of horseshoe vortices, which reduce efficiency and increase fuel consumption, a major concern for the commercial airline industry.
Innovation Solution
A system for injecting a secondary fluid stream into a primary fluid stream at a tangential angle and radial location, specifically from the trailing edge of platforms aligned with the horseshoe vortex initiation area, to minimize mixing and endwall losses by optimizing the injection direction and location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the secondary fluid stream is radially introduced into the axially and tangentially directed primary fluid stream, then the critical turbine components are cooled, but aerodynamic mixing losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The injection angle parameter is changed from radial (perpendicular to primary flow) to tangential (parallel to primary flow). This parameter modification allows the secondary fluid to maintain cooling function while reducing aerodynamic mixing losses by aligning with the primary flow direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection direction is shifted from a radial dimension to a tangential dimension, changing the spatial orientation of secondary fluid introduction. This dimensional change enables the secondary stream to flow parallel to the primary stream, reducing turbulence and mixing losses while preserving cooling effectiveness.
2Productivity
If the primary fluid stream approaches the leading edges of the airfoils, then the airfoils are exposed to the primary fluid stream, but horseshoe vortices form at the endwalls causing secondary or endwall loss
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary fluid stream is introduced at the trailing edge platform before the flow reaches the leading edge region where horseshoe vortices form. This preliminary action modifies the boundary layer conditions in advance, preventing vortex formation and reducing endwall losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary fluid stream acts as an intermediary substance introduced at the trailing edge platform to modify the flow structure. It interacts with the primary stream to prevent boundary layer separation and horseshoe vortex formation at the endwalls, reducing aerodynamic losses.
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
The system effectively reduces both mixing and endwall losses, enhancing aerodynamic efficiency and reducing fuel consumption by aligning the secondary fluid stream with the primary stream and targeting the horseshoe vortex formation area.
Implementation Method 1
The secondary fluid stream is injected into the primary fluid stream at a tangential angle that reduces mixing losses
Implementation Method 2
by discharging the secondary fluid stream from the trailing edge surface of the platform, which is radially aligned with the horseshoe vortex initiation area, the endwall losses are effectively reduced or eliminated altogether
Data Source
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AI summary
A system is disclosed for injecting a secondary fluid stream (42) into a primary fluid stream (28) with improved aerodynamic efficiency. The secondary fluid stream (42) is injected into the primary fluid stream (28) at a tangential angle and radial location that reduces both mixing and endwall losses. A platform (44) borders the primary fluid stream (28) and contains a trailing edge surface (68). A rail (80) extends radially from the platform (44) and one or more conduits (80) enter the rail (80) in a substantially radial direction. The conduits (82) extend through the radial length of the rail (80), continue into the platform (44), and terminate at the trailing edge surface (68). The secondary fluid stream (48) is conveyed by the conduits (82) through the rail (80) and the platform (44), to the trailing edge surface (68), for injecting into the primary fluid stream (28) at an optimal angle and radial location.