Gas Turbine Electrical Machine Cooling via Radial Airflow Manifold

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine engines face challenges in effectively cooling electrical machines located within the core airflow path, particularly due to high temperatures generated by exhaust gases, which can lead to overheating and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A cooling system is implemented that directs cooling airflow radially through an airflow passageway defined by a thermal shield around the electrical machine, using a cooling manifold to direct airflow past the outer generator stator and onto the inner generator rotor, thereby effectively removing heat from the electrical machine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the electrical machine is located within the core airflow path, then the engine structure is compact and efficient, but the electrical machine is exposed to high temperatures from exhaust gases causing overheating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature of electrical machineVSAvoidoperational reliability of electrical machine

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system divides the cooling airflow into multiple separate paths: one path directs cooling air to the outer generator stator, and another path directs cooling air to the inner generator rotor. This segmentation allows each component to be cooled independently, effectively managing the high temperatures experienced by the electrical machine while maintaining its compact location within the core airflow path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cooling airflow acts as an intermediary substance between the hot exhaust gases and the electrical machine components. The cooling air absorbs heat from the generator stator and rotor, preventing direct thermal exposure and maintaining operational reliability. The thermal shield also serves as a physical intermediary barrier between the hot core airflow and the electrical machine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If cooling airflow is directed to both the outer generator stator and inner generator rotor, then heat removal effectiveness is improved, but the cooling system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat removal efficiencyVSAvoidcooling system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling manifold performs multiple functions simultaneously: it distributes cooling airflow to both the outer generator stator and inner generator rotor, and it integrates with the thermal shield structure. This multi-functionality allows effective heat removal from both components without proportionally increasing system complexity, as a single manifold structure achieves what would otherwise require separate cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system merges the cooling paths for the stator and rotor into a unified system. The thermal shield and cooling manifold are integrated structures that combine multiple cooling functions, reducing the overall complexity compared to having entirely separate cooling systems for each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution effectively manages the high temperatures within the gas turbine engine, maintaining the electrical machine within a desired temperature range and enhancing its operational efficiency and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

directing cooling airflow radially through an airflow passageway to an enclosure at least partially defined by a thermal shield at least partially around the electrical machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a thermal shield at least partially around the electrical machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11641144B2Gas turbine engines including embedded electrical machines and associated cooling systems

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO POLSKA SP ZOO

AI summary

A method of removing heat from an electrical machine located in a gas turbine engine at least partially inward of a core airflow path in a radial direction, the electrical machine including an outer generator stator and an inner generator rotor is provided. The method includes directing cooling airflow radially through an airflow passageway to an enclosure at least partially defined by a thermal shield at least partially around the electrical machine. The cooling airflow is directed radially inward past the outer generator stator and toward the inner generator rotor using a cooling manifold thereby removing heat from the generator rotor.