Turbine Disc Deflector for Cooling Gas Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine assemblies face challenges in evenly distributing cooling gas flow to rotor blades, leading to inadequate cooling and potential overheating, which can result in heat-related fractures.
Innovation Solution
A turbine disc assembly with a spacer disc and deflector configuration that creates a plenum system, where the deflector directs cooling gas flow at an acute angle into cooling channels, ensuring even distribution and adequate cooling of rotor blades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling gas is channeled through a cooling circuit inside each rotor blade, then the rotor blades are cooled, but it is difficult to distribute the cooling gas flow evenly amongst the rotor blades
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine disc is segmented into multiple cooling channels, with the first cooling channel in flow communication with the plenum and the second cooling channel in flow communication with both the plenum and the first cooling channel. This segmentation allows controlled distribution of cooling gas to different rotor blades through separate channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The plenum acts as an intermediary chamber between the cooling gas source and the cooling channels. The deflector within the plenum mediates the flow distribution by directing cooling gas at an acute angle into the first cooling channel, ensuring even distribution amongst multiple rotor blades.
2Reliability
If cooling gas flow is not evenly distributed, then some rotor blades receive insufficient cooling, but increasing cooling gas flow may cause excessive flow into certain channels
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector is positioned within the plenum at an asymmetric orientation, directing cooling gas flow at an acute angle specifically into the first cooling channel. This asymmetric configuration balances the flow distribution between the first and second cooling channels, preventing excessive flow into any single channel while ensuring adequate cooling for all rotor blades.
3Ease of operation
If the deflector directs cooling gas at an acute angle into the first cooling channel, then even distribution is achieved, but the plenum space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector directs cooling gas flow at an acute angle (introducing a directional dimension) into the first cooling channel rather than straight ahead. This angular redirection optimizes the use of plenum space by utilizing the lateral dimension, achieving even cooling gas distribution without requiring a proportionally larger plenum volume.
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 effectively distributes cooling gas, preventing excessive flow into certain channels and ensuring each rotor blade receives sufficient cooling, thereby reducing the risk of heat-related fractures and extending the useful life of turbine rotor blades.
Implementation Method 1
the deflection surface is oriented towards the first cooling channel at an acute angle relative to the radius of the inner surface of the spacer disc
Data Source
AI summary
A turbine disc assembly is provided. The turbine disc assembly includes a first rotor disc, a second rotor disc, and a spacer disc coupled between the first and second rotor discs along an axis to define a plenum. The spacer disc has an inner surface with a radius from the axis. A first cooling channel defined between the first rotor disc and the spacer disc is in flow communication with the plenum. The second rotor disc includes a deflector having a deflection surface positioned within the plenum such that the deflection surface is oriented towards the first cooling channel at an acute angle relative to the radius of the inner surface of the spacer disc.