Triple-Flow Turbomachine Heat Exchanger Layout for Thrust Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbomachines face performance penalties and efficiency losses due to the placement of heat exchangers in the secondary flow, which cause aerodynamic disturbances, thrust reduction, and noise pollution, while also being vulnerable to foreign object impacts.
Innovation Solution
A three-flow turbomachine design with a heat exchanger positioned in the tertiary flow vein, utilizing a diverging configuration to slow down air speed for efficient cooling, minimizing bulk and weight, and incorporating structural arms and air bypasses to reduce aerodynamic disturbances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heat exchanger is placed in the secondary flow, then the oil cooling function is achieved, but the thrust force is reduced and aerodynamic disturbances occur
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow is segmented into three separate flows using two separation nozzles: a secondary flow, a primary flow, and a tertiary flow. The heat exchanger is specifically placed in the tertiary flow, which is a segmented portion of the original air flow, allowing cooling functionality to be isolated from the thrust-generating flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new dimension by creating a tertiary flow vein that is radially external to the primary flow and separate from the conventional secondary flow path. This spatial reorganization allows the heat exchanger to be positioned in a previously unused flow path, eliminating interference with thrust generation while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
2Temperature
If the heat exchanger is placed upstream of the turbomachine, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the device becomes vulnerable to foreign object impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is positioned in the tertiary flow vein, which is spatially separated from the main thrust path and foreign object trajectory. This repositioning in a different spatial dimension (radially external position) allows the exchanger to be closer to the turbomachine for efficient cooling while being protected from foreign object impacts that travel along the main flow path.
3Temperature
If a bulky heat exchanger is used for effective cooling, then the cooling performance is improved, but the weight and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tertiary flow vein provides a localized environment with favorable flow characteristics (lower velocity, adequate residence time) that enhance heat transfer efficiency. This local quality improvement allows the use of a more compact heat exchanger design with smaller heat transfer area, reducing both weight and space occupation while maintaining effective cooling performance.
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 solution ensures effective cooling with reduced impact on turbomachine efficiency, optimizing thrust and reducing carbon emissions by using less bulky and less heavy heat exchangers, while protecting against foreign object damage.
Implementation Method 1
an air/oil type heat exchanger, arranged in the tertiary flow vein
Implementation Method 2
the divergence of the exchanger in the direction of flow of the air, thus ensuring cooling efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An axial turbomachine includes a first separation nozzle capable of separating an incoming air flow into a radially internal air flow and a radially external air flow, called a secondary flow; a second separation nozzle capable of separating the radially internal air flow into a primary flow and a tertiary flow, the tertiary flow being in a tertiary flow vein radially external to the primary flow, delimited by an internal wall and an external wall; and an air/oil type heat exchanger, disposed in the tertiary flow vein. The heat exchanger includes several angular sectors, each angular sector including an oil inlet on the internal wall at an angular end of the sector, and an oil outlet on the internal wall at an opposite angular end of the sector.