Turbine Engine Outer Casing Heat Exchanger Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in reducing core size while maintaining heat exchangers, as existing configurations occupy significant space, hindering efficiency improvements.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a radial direction and circumferential cooling air flowpath with heat exchangers positioned within the core engine's outer casing, utilizing bleed air and cooling air flowpaths to efficiently manage heat and reduce core size by dual-functioning as both heat removal and structural support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat exchangers are positioned within the core engine, then heat management is maintained, but core size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is merged with the outer casing of the core engine, where the outer casing serves dual functions as both structural support and heat exchange surface. This integration eliminates the need for separate heat exchanger components, maintaining heat management capability while avoiding core size increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer casing is designed to perform multiple functions: providing structural support for the core engine and simultaneously serving as a heat exchange surface for thermal management. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for dedicated heat exchanger space.
2Temperature
If heat exchangers occupy space in the core, then heat removal is effective, but core diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger functionality is merged into the outer casing structure, which extends radially outward from the core. This allows heat removal to occur at the periphery of the core rather than occupying internal space, maintaining effective heat removal while minimizing core diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange function is moved from the internal volume of the core to the external surface of the outer casing, utilizing the radial dimension. This dimensional transition allows heat removal without increasing the core's internal space requirements or diameter.
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 configuration allows for a reduced core diameter, enhancing efficiency, reducing drag and weight, and simplifying component packaging, while maintaining effective heat management and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger positioned in thermal communication with the cooling air flowpath
Implementation Method 2
a cooling air flowpath extending between an inlet in flow communication with the engine air flowpath and an outlet defined by an opening in the outer casing
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine including core engine is provided. Air may enter the core engine through an inlet and travel through and engine air flowpath extending through the core engine, e.g., generally along an axial direction of the gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine additionally includes a cooling air flowpath extending outwardly generally along the radial direction of the gas turbine engine. The cooling air flowpath extends between an inlet in flow communication with engine air flowpath and an outlet defined by an opening in an outer casing of the core engine. Moreover, the gas turbine engine includes a heat exchanger positioned at least partially within the outer casing the core engine with the cooling air flowpath extending over or through the heat exchanger.