Turbine Emergency Cooling Shutter With Fusible Lock Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft turbomachinery secondary air circuits face issues with fusible plugs releasing material that can cause mechanical damage near high-energy rotating parts, and there is a need for a solution that optimizes performance and energy efficiency by controlling these circuits based on temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation device with a shuttering mechanism and locking means that moves between open and closed positions based on temperature thresholds, using a fusible material to unlock the shutter when the temperature exceeds a predetermined value, allowing additional cooling air flow only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fusible plugs are used to control secondary air circuits based on temperature, then the cooling airflow can be activated automatically when temperature exceeds threshold, but significant quantities of material are released that can contact rotating parts and cause mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful fusible plug material release function from the temperature-activated control mechanism. Instead of using traditional fusible plugs that disintegrate, the invention uses a membrane that can be punctured or a shutter that can be opened, both of which maintain structural integrity while achieving temperature-based activation of cooling airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (membrane or shutter controlled by thermal expansion or melting of a separate fusible element) that decouples the temperature sensing function from the airflow control function. The intermediary transfers the thermal signal to activate cooling without releasing harmful material into the turbine environment.
2Use of energy by moving object
If secondary air circuits are kept closed during normal operation to optimize performance and energy efficiency, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the system cannot respond quickly to temperature emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes (temperature threshold) to trigger a discrete state change in the airflow control system. The membrane or shutter remains in a stable closed state during normal operation and transitions rapidly to an open state when the temperature parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold, providing both energy efficiency and rapid response.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling airflow path is pre-configured and ready to activate immediately when temperature conditions warrant it. The membrane or shutter mechanism is pre-positioned to allow rapid opening without requiring active control systems or complex activation sequences, enabling immediate response to thermal emergencies.
3Reliability
If additional cooling air flow is provided continuously to prevent overheating of turbine parts, then the risk of overheating and rupture is minimized, but the cooling system must be oversized leading to increased fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the cooling system from a static, continuously active configuration to a dynamic, conditionally active system. The membrane or shutter mechanism allows the cooling airflow to be dynamically adjusted based on real-time temperature conditions, providing full cooling capacity when needed while maintaining energy efficiency during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards the need for continuous cooling airflow during normal operation, activating it only when temperature conditions require it. This allows the cooling system to be sized for peak emergency conditions rather than continuous operation, reducing energy consumption while maintaining protection against overheating.
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 limits the risk of material contact with rotating parts and optimizes cooling airflow, enhancing engine performance by preventing oversizing of the cooling system and reducing fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The locking means includes a fusible material configured to melt when the temperature within the module reaches the predetermined threshold value.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an aircraft turbine engine module (60, 110) comprising a ventilation device configured to circulate a flow of cooling air through the turbine engine module, the ventilation device comprising an air outlet, sealing means (86, 120) attached to the air outlet, and locking means configured to hold the sealing means (86, 120) in a sealed position when the temperature within the module (60, 110) is lower than a predetermined threshold value, the sealing means (86, 120) being configured to adopt an open position when the temperature within the module (60, 110) is higher than said predetermined threshold value.