Turbine Diffuser Mixer for Airflow Temperature Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diffuser assemblies in turbine engines face challenges in effectively mixing and conditioning airflows, leading to potential thermal stresses and component failure due to uneven temperature distribution and pressure differences.
Innovation Solution
A diffuser assembly with a mixer configured as a mixing device, including a cupped body with perforations, is used to combine conditioned and high-pressure airflows within a mixing chamber, promoting thorough mixing and reducing temperature differentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If compressed air is diverted for cooling components, then component cooling is improved, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A mixing chamber is introduced as an intermediary between the compressor outlet and the combustor inlet. This mixing chamber receives both cooled air (from heat exchangers) and hot air, then thoroughly mixes them before delivering to the combustor. The mixing chamber acts as a buffer that equalizes temperature differences, allowing component cooling while maintaining temperature uniformity in the main airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow is segmented into different streams: cooled air stream from heat exchangers and hot air stream from the compressor. These segmented streams are kept separate until they reach the mixing chamber, where they are deliberately combined. This segmentation allows independent control of cooling airflow while maintaining overall temperature uniformity.
2Temperature
If airflows at different pressures are combined, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but mixing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber serves as a pressure-equalizing intermediary. Airflows at different pressures (cooled air from heat exchangers and hot air from compressor) are introduced into this chamber where pressure differences are balanced. The chamber design includes flow control mechanisms that allow high-pressure and low-pressure streams to mix effectively without causing turbulence or poor mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes pressure parameters of different airflow streams to match before mixing. The mixing chamber is designed to equalize pressure between cooled air streams and hot air streams, ensuring that pressure parameters are compatible for effective mixing. This parameter adjustment enables both cooling effectiveness and mixing efficiency.
3Stability of the object's composition
If direct path between inlet and hollow strut is obstructed, then mixing is improved, but airflow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer acts as an intermediary device that obstructs the direct path between inlet and hollow strut, forcing airflow to pass through a mixing chamber. This obstruction is designed to promote thorough mixing of airflows while minimizing pressure losses. The mixer includes flow guidance features that reduce turbulence and pressure drop despite the path obstruction.
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 enhances airflow mixing and temperature uniformity, reducing thermal stresses and extending component lifespan by ensuring even airflow distribution and pressure balance within the turbine engine.
Implementation Method 1
The mixer may be configured to diffuse the first airflow into the mixing chamber
Implementation Method 2
promoting thorough mixing and reducing temperature differentials
Data Source
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AI summary
A diffuser assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This diffuser assembly includes a diffuser module 50 with a combustor plenum 48 and a mixing chamber 70. The diffuser module 50 is configured to receive first and second airflows into the mixing chamber 70 and direct a mixed airflow out of the mixing chamber 70. The diffuser module 50 includes a mixer 102 configured to mix the first and the second airflows together within the mixing chamber 70 to provide the mixed airflow.