Turbine Airfoil Cooling Holes with Diffusing Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engines face challenges in effectively cooling components due to high temperatures, particularly in regions downstream of the combustion section, where traditional cooling methods may not adequately manage heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of furcated cooling passages with a trunk and branches, featuring interior and exterior diffusing sections, and connecting metering sections, which diffuse the cooling fluid flow to maximize heat transfer across the heated surface, enhancing cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cooling methods are used in high-temperature regions downstream of the combustion section, then the cooling structure is simple, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient and heat dissipation is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling passage is segmented into multiple functional sections: a trunk section, at least two branch sections, an interior diffusing section at the junction, and exterior diffusing sections defining the outlets. This segmentation allows the cooling fluid to be distributed through multiple paths, improving cooling coverage and efficiency in high-temperature regions without requiring an overly complex external structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the cooling passage are designed with different geometric properties tailored to their specific functions. The interior diffusing section has a first cross-sectional area that transitions to a second cross-sectional area in the exterior diffusing sections, creating localized flow control characteristics. This allows optimal cooling performance in specific high-temperature zones while maintaining overall system reliability.
2Reliability
If cooling fluid flow is emitted directly onto the heated surface, then the cooling structure is simple, but jet penetration is excessive and coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The diffusing sections act as intermediary structures between the cooling fluid source and the heated surface. The interior diffusing section transitions the flow from the trunk to the branches, while the exterior diffusing sections further diffuse the flow before it reaches the outlet. This intermediary diffusion process reduces jet penetration and improves cooling film coverage on the heated surface, enhancing overall cooling performance.
3Area of stationary object
If the cooling passage has a single outlet, then the structure is simple, but the cooling coverage on the heated surface is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling passage is divided into a trunk section and at least two branch sections, creating multiple outlets on the heated surface. This segmentation allows the cooling fluid to be distributed across a larger area, significantly expanding the cooling coverage. The furcated structure enables simultaneous cooling of multiple regions on the heated surface, improving overall thermal management effectiveness.
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 design significantly improves cooling film performance by minimizing jet penetration and maximizing coverage, thereby increasing the durability and performance of turbine engine components.
Implementation Method 1
an interior diffusing section formed in the trunk at a junction with the branches and exterior diffusing sections defining the at least two outlets
Implementation Method 2
diffuse the cooling fluid flow to maximize heat transfer across the heated surface
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method an airfoil for a turbine engine, the airfoil comprising an outer wall defining an interior bound by a pressure side and a suction side extending axially between a leading edge and a trailing edge defining a chord-wise direction and extending radially between a root and a tip defining a span-wise direction. The airfoil further includes at least one cooling hole including a diffusing section and fluidly coupling an exterior of the engine component to an exterior of the engine component.