Turbine Cable Conduit Aerodynamic Perforations Bypass Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine cables exposed to harsh bypass flow environments face damage and degradation due to impact and turbulence, leading to reduced operational life.
Innovation Solution
A cable conduit system comprising a head end, sleeve, boot, and split grommet, with aerodynamic perforations and a boot design that minimizes turbulence and includes a standoff washer for enhanced sealing, is integrated into the bypass flow duct to protect cables from environmental stressors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cables pass directly through the bypass duct, then the cable installation is simple, but the cable is exposed to harsh bypass flow environment causing damage and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
A conduit system acts as an intermediary protective structure between the cable and the harsh bypass flow environment. The conduit includes a boot portion that interfaces with the bypass duct, a sleeve portion that encloses the cable, and sealing elements that prevent flow penetration, thereby protecting the cable while maintaining a relatively simple installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit system employs flexible sealing elements including grommets and gaskets that can deform to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the bypass duct. These flexible components maintain sealing effectiveness across temperature cycles while protecting the cable from the harsh environment.
2Reliability
If the conduit system includes comprehensive protective components, then the cable protection is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit system merges multiple protective functions into a single integrated assembly. The boot, sleeve, sealing elements, and turbulence reduction features are combined into one unit that provides environmental protection, sealing, and flow management simultaneously, reducing the need for multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit system performs multiple functions: it protects the cable from environmental exposure, seals against bypass flow, reduces turbulence, accommodates thermal expansion, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
3Reliability
If the conduit system accommodates thermal expansion, then the sealing effectiveness is maintained, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit system utilizes materials and design features that allow for thermal parameter changes. The flexible sealing elements and expansion accommodation features enable the structure to expand and contract with temperature variations while maintaining sealing effectiveness, without requiring complex active control 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
The conduit system effectively reduces turbulence and vortices around the cables, enhancing their durability and operational life by shielding them from the harsh bypass flow conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the sleeve includes a forward section and an aft section, wherein the forward section comprises a first perforation through a forward aerodynamic surface and the aft section comprises a second perforation through an aft aerodynamic surface, wherein a portion of a bypass flow passes through the first perforation into the interior volume and exits the interior volume through the second perforation
Data Source
AI summary
A cable conduit for a bypass flow duct may comprise a head end, a sleeve, a foot end, a boot, and a split grommet wherein the head end is coupled to the sleeve opposite the foot end, wherein the foot end comprises a flared portion, wherein the boot comprises a first flange and a neck, wherein the boot is configured to couple at the neck to the flared portion of the foot end, wherein the head end comprises a second flange and a cutout penetrating into an interior volume of the sleeve, and wherein the split grommet is coupled within the interior volume of the sleeve.