Directional Fins in Turbine Ring Cooling Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aeronautical gas turbine engines face challenges in efficiently cooling turbine rings due to significant thermal gradients and cooling fluid usage, leading to mechanical stresses and performance issues, especially when using ceramic matrix composite or metal materials.
Innovation Solution
A cooling fluid distribution element with directional fins is integrated into the turbine ring assembly, which directs cooling fluid homogeneously to the ring sectors, reducing recirculation and pressure losses, and simplifies manufacturing by acting as construction pillars during the powder bed laser melting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a large amount of cooling fluid is used to cool metal turbine ring assemblies, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the engine performance deteriorates due to significant impact on engine performance from taking cooling air from the main stream
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine ring is divided into multiple ring sectors made of CMC material, each with its own cooling channels. This segmentation allows for more efficient localized cooling, reducing the total amount of cooling fluid needed while maintaining effective temperature control across the entire turbine ring assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter from metal to CMC (ceramic matrix composite), which has inherently better thermal resistance properties. This material parameter change reduces the cooling fluid requirement while maintaining structural integrity and thermal management effectiveness
2Productivity
If CMC ring sectors are used to limit ventilation for cooling, then engine performance is improved, but significant cooling fluid usage is still required to maintain overpressure in the ring cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system implements local quality by providing targeted cooling channels within each CMC ring sector. The cooling fluid is directed precisely where needed through the thick walls of each sector, maintaining overpressure in the ring cavity while minimizing total cooling fluid consumption through efficient localized heat removal
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the radial thickness dimension of the CMC ring sectors to create effective cooling channels. By exploiting the radial space within each sector, the system achieves efficient cooling without requiring excessive cooling fluid volume, thereby maintaining cavity overpressure with optimized fluid usage
3Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used for turbine rings, then cooling is provided, but penalizing thermal gradients are generated that create unfavorable mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine ring is segmented into multiple CMC sectors with individual cooling channels. This segmentation creates more uniform temperature distribution across each sector by providing dedicated cooling paths, thereby reducing thermal gradients and the associated mechanical stresses while maintaining effective cooling
Solution Approach 2:
Changing from metal to CMC material fundamentally alters the thermal parameter profile. CMC material's superior thermal resistance combined with the integrated cooling channel design creates more uniform temperature fields, reducing thermal gradients and minimizing unfavorable mechanical stresses in the turbine ring structure
4Temperature
If metal turbine ring assemblies are cooled, then the ring is cooled, but a large amount of cooling fluid must be used which is taken from the main stream of the engine
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs CMC (ceramic matrix composite) material for the turbine ring sectors, combining the benefits of high-temperature resistance with efficient thermal management. This composite material requires significantly less cooling fluid compared to metal alloys, reducing the loss of cooling air from the engine's main stream while maintaining effective turbine ring cooling
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 cooling efficiency, reduces thermal gradients and mechanical stresses, and optimizes cooling fluid usage by ensuring uniform air distribution and minimizing leaks, thereby improving engine performance and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
directional fins disposed substantially equidistant from said inlet orifice and said multi-perforated plate, for directing the cooling fluid from said inlet orifice to said outlet through-perforations
Implementation Method 2
cooling fluid distribution element... directing the cooling fluid from said inlet orifice to said outlet through-perforations... enhances cooling efficiency, reduces thermal gradients
Data Source
AI summary
A distribution element intended to be fixed to a support structure for supplying cooling fluid to a wall to be cooled facing the distribution element, the distribution element including a body defining a cooling fluid distribution internal volume and a multi-perforated plate which delimits the internal volume and includes a plurality of outlet through-perforations which put the cooling fluid distribution internal volume into communication with the wall to be cooled, the distribution element including an inlet orifice opening into the cooling fluid distribution internal volume, wherein for directing the cooling fluid from the inlet orifice to the plurality of outlet through-perforations the cooling fluid distribution internal volume includes directional fins.