Thermally Responsive Flow Meter for Gas Turbine Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in efficiently regulating cooling airflow based on varying operating temperatures, leading to suboptimal engine performance and efficiency due to fixed cooling flow rates that do not adapt to changing conditions.
Innovation Solution
A thermally responsive flow meter is introduced, comprising a coil and a plate that translates circumferentially in response to temperature changes, adjusting airflow apertures to increase cooling flow at high temperatures and decrease it at lower temperatures, thereby optimizing airflow distribution within the engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixed cooling flow rate is used, then the engine can operate under design conditions, but the engine performance and efficiency are suboptimal when operating conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter uses a thermally responsive coil that dynamically adjusts the plate position based on temperature changes. The coil expands when heated by the airflow, causing the plate to rotate and increase the aperture opening, thereby automatically increasing cooling flow at higher temperatures without requiring external control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the coil from cold to hot, which causes thermal expansion. This parameter change (temperature-induced expansion) directly controls the aperture opening, transforming the fixed flow meter into a temperature-responsive variable flow meter that adapts to different operating conditions
2Reliability
If cooling flow is increased to accommodate hottest operating conditions, then components are adequately cooled, but engine efficiency decreases due to excessive air consumption at lower temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter serves itself by using the thermal energy of the passing airflow to control its own operation. The heated air directly expands the coil, which automatically adjusts the aperture to the appropriate opening size, eliminating the need for external sensors, actuators, or control systems while optimizing cooling efficiency
3Adaptability or versatility
If a thermally responsive mechanism is added to adjust cooling flow, then adaptability to temperature changes is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention directly exploits the thermal expansion property of the coil material to create the controlling mechanism. As the coil is heated by the airflow, it expands and this expansion directly drives the plate rotation, providing a simple yet effective temperature-responsive control mechanism without complex components
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 solution dynamically regulates cooling airflow, increasing engine and fuel efficiency by ensuring the right amount of air is dedicated to cooling at different operating conditions, thereby enhancing power generation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The plate may be configured to translate in a circumferential direction in response to a thermal expansion of the coil
Implementation Method 2
The coil may bias the plate toward the first face of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A thermally responsive flow meter may comprise a coil and a plate coupled to the coil. The plate may define a first airflow aperture. The plate may translate in a circumferential direction in response to a thermal expansion of the coil. The thermally responsive flow meter may regulate the flow of air through a second airflow aperture.