Turbine Vane Cooling Channels for Inner Diameter Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbine vane configurations in gas turbine engines face challenges in effectively managing high temperatures and cooling efficiency, particularly at the inner diameter portion of the vanes, where cooling air heat-up can adversely affect metal temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The turbine vane design incorporates a baffle and axial divider ribs within a cooling passage, forming feed and axial flow channels that direct cooling air through multiple paths to enhance cooling efficacy, including a baffle cavity for insulation and axial flow channels for improved heat transfer, with optional flow augmentation features to promote turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling air is used to cool the vane body, then the vane temperature is reduced, but the cooling air heat-up adversely affects metal temperatures at the inner diameter portion
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling passage is segmented into multiple axial flow channels by inserting axial divider ribs, which divide the cooling air flow into separate paths. This segmentation allows different regions of the vane to receive cooled air at different rates, preventing excessive heat-up of the cooling air itself while maintaining effective cooling of the vane body, particularly at the inner diameter portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle structure is positioned to create localized cooling zones within the cooling passage. The baffle body with its apertures and the axial divider ribs create specific flow patterns that concentrate cooling air where it is most needed, improving cooling effectiveness at critical areas without causing overall cooling air temperature to rise excessively.
2Reliability
If a baffle and axial divider ribs are added to the cooling passage, then cooling effectiveness is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a flow distributor, a heat transfer enhancement element, and a structural support component within the cooling passage. The axial divider ribs also serve dual purposes by dividing flow channels and providing structural reinforcement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving enhanced cooling effectiveness.
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 design enhances cooling effectiveness by optimizing air flow paths and reducing cooling air temperature, thereby maintaining vane integrity and performance under high-temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The vane body, the baffle body, and the axial divider ribs form a feed cavity and one or more axial flow channels. The feed cavity is connected in fluid communication with the plurality of cooling holes. Each axial flow channel of the one or more axial flow channels is formed by and between adjacent axial divider ribs of the plurality of axial divider ribs. Each axial flow channel of the one or more axial flow channels is connected in fluid communication with the internal baffle cavity by one or more of the plurality of baffle apertures. Each axial flow channel of the one or more axial flow channels is connected in fluid communication with the plurality of cooling holes.
Implementation Method 2
The baffle body forms an internal baffle cavity. The baffle body further forms a plurality of baffle apertures connected in fluid communication with the internal baffle cavity.
Data Source
AI summary
A turbine vane includes a vane body, a baffle, and a plurality of axial divider ribs. The vane body includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and a trailing edge rib forming a cooling passage. The baffle includes a baffle body disposed within the cooling passage. The baffle body includes a first baffle side and a second baffle side. The baffle body forms an internal baffle cavity. The baffle body further forms a plurality of baffle apertures. Each axial divider rib extends between and to the second side wall and the second baffle side. The vane body, the baffle body, and the axial divider ribs form a feed cavity and one or more axial flow channels. The feed cavity is disposed between the vane body and the baffle body at least between the first side wall and the first baffle side. The axial flow channels are formed by the axial divider ribs. Each axial flow channel o is connected in fluid communication with the internal baffle cavity by one or more of the baffle apertures.