Turbine Engine Airflow Separation for Debris-Laden Core Air

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft engine systems lack efficient methods for separating airflows to manage debris and maintain airflow cleanliness, which can lead to component clogging and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

An air-debris separator system is introduced within the diffuser plenum, separating compressed core air into clean and dirty airflows using cyclonic separators, directing clean air into the diffuser plenum and dirty air with debris into the combustion chamber through dilution apertures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If compressed core air is directed directly into the diffuser plenum without separation, then the system structure is simple, but debris accumulates in critical components causing clogging and reduced performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent performanceVSAvoidair separation system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser plenum is segmented into multiple zones: a dirty air intake region that receives compressed core air containing debris, and a clean air region that supplies airflow to critical components. This spatial segmentation allows debris-laden air to be directed away from sensitive areas while maintaining simple overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Debris is extracted from the compressed core air stream by directing it into the dirty air intake region of the diffuser plenum, where it is separated from the clean airflow paths. This extraction prevents debris accumulation in critical components without requiring complex filtration systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If an air-debris separator is introduced to separate clean and dirty airflows, then component clogging is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent cleanlinessVSAvoidseparator system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air-debris separator divides the compressed core air stream into two distinct flow paths: a clean airflow path that supplies the diffuser plenum, and a dirty airflow path that directs debris-laden air to the dirty air intake region. This segmentation achieves effective separation using relatively simple structural elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The separator acts as an intermediary device between the compressor section and the diffuser plenum, mediating the airflow to remove debris before clean air reaches critical components. This intermediary function protects components without requiring direct complex filtration at the component level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If debris is allowed to enter the combustion chamber through dilution apertures, then the separator structure can be simpler, but engine performance deteriorates due to debris accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparator structureVSAvoidengine performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts potentially harmful debris-laden air into a beneficial function by directing it to the dirty air intake region where it can be utilized for combustion chamber dilution. This converts what would be a harmful accumulation problem into a useful resource, maintaining engine performance while simplifying the separator structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Different quality airflows are directed to different locations: clean airflow is directed to the diffuser plenum for component cooling and operation, while dirty airflow is directed to the dirty air intake region for combustion dilution. This local quality differentiation optimizes both component protection and engine performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 system effectively separates debris from clean air, reducing the likelihood of component clogging and enhancing engine performance by maintaining airflow quality and preventing debris accumulation in critical engine components.

Implementation Method 1

An air-debris separator system is introduced within the diffuser plenum, separating compressed core air into clean and dirty airflows using cyclonic separators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCyclonic separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentUS20250216078A1Separating airflows within a turbine engine

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 RTX CORP

AI summary

An assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This assembly includes an engine core extending along an axis. The engine core includes a compressor section, a combustor, a diffuser structure, a diffuser plenum and a separator. The combustor is arranged within the diffuser plenum. The combustor includes a combustion chamber and a combustor wall between the combustion chamber and the diffuser plenum. The combustor wall includes a dilution aperture extending through the combustor wall to the combustion chamber. The diffuser structure includes a first diffuser passage and a second diffuser passage radially offset from the first diffuser passage. The first diffuser passage fluidly couples the compressor section to the diffuser plenum. The second diffuser passage fluidly couples the compressor section to the separator. The separator fluidly couples the second diffuser passage to the dilution aperture.