Thermal Transport Bus Monitoring for Gas Turbine Airflow Faults
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal energy management systems in gas turbine engines face operational issues due to airflow fault conditions such as broken pipes, which can lead to various operational problems.
Innovation Solution
A thermal transport bus system is used to detect airflow faults by sensing changes in thermal performance characteristics, allowing for the diversion of airflow away from damaged heat exchangers and reconfiguration of the cooling scheme to maintain efficient thermal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a thermal transport bus system is implemented to manage thermal energy among heat exchangers, then thermal management efficiency is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to airflow fault conditions such as broken pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of airflow fault conditions by monitoring thermal performance characteristics before faults can cause significant operational issues. The controller continuously monitors temperature, pressure, and flowrate of the heat exchange fluid to detect broken pipes or blocked passages early, allowing for proactive response rather than reactive repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring thermal performance characteristics (temperature, pressure, flowrate) of the heat exchange fluid and comparing them against expected ranges. When deviations indicate airflow faults, the controller receives feedback and automatically responds by isolating affected heat exchangers and reconfiguring the thermal transport bus to maintain reliable operation.
2Reliability
If airflow fault detection and response systems are added to the thermal transport bus, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service principles by using the existing heat exchange fluid as the detection medium. The same fluid that transports thermal energy also provides the thermal performance characteristics (temperature, pressure, flowrate) needed for fault detection, eliminating the need for separate detection systems and reducing overall complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange fluid serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transports thermal energy between heat exchangers and also acts as the sensing medium for detecting airflow faults through its thermal performance characteristics. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate systems needed, thereby reducing complexity while improving reliability through comprehensive monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If the system continuously monitors thermal performance characteristics to detect airflow faults, then detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the thermal energy already present in the heat exchange fluid for detection purposes without requiring additional energy input. By monitoring the fluid's own thermal performance characteristics (temperature, pressure, flowrate) that are naturally occurring during normal operation, the system achieves accurate fault detection while avoiding the energy consumption that would result from active sensing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system uses feedback from the natural thermal performance of the heat exchange fluid during normal operation. By comparing these naturally occurring parameters against predetermined ranges, the system achieves accurate detection without requiring additional energy-consuming active sensing or testing mechanisms.
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 approach improves fuel burn efficiency, enhances the reliability of thermal management systems, reduces the need for bleed air, and decreases engine weight by addressing airflow faults.
Implementation Method 1
providing the intermediary heat exchange fluid to a heat exchanger; and providing a fluid flow through a duct of the gas turbine engine to the heat exchanger to exchange heat with the intermediary heat exchange fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A method of detecting an airflow fault condition in a gas turbine engine, the method including: operating the gas turbine engine with a thermal transport bus having an intermediary heat exchange fluid flowing therethrough; determining a performance characteristic of the intermediary heat exchange fluid in the thermal transport bus is outside of a predetermined range, wherein the performance characteristic includes a temperature, a pressure, a flowrate, or a combination thereof; and indicating an airflow fault condition in response to determining the performance characteristic is outside of the predetermined range.