Turbine Vane TOBI Cooling Air Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implementing ceramic materials in gas turbine engine airfoils poses unique challenges due to their high temperature resistance and specific material properties.
Innovation Solution
A tangential onboard injector (TOBI) system is designed to radially support ceramic vanes in a gas turbine engine, featuring an annular plenum with axially-oriented nozzles for cooling air distribution and a radially-open slot for axial constraint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ceramic materials are implemented in airfoils, then temperature resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and reliability challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The airfoil is segmented into multiple functional zones with different cooling strategies. The TOBI system divides the cooling air distribution into discrete injection points and flow paths, allowing independent optimization of each segment's thermal management while simplifying the overall manufacturing process for ceramic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a tangential cooling approach that adds a rotational dimension to the cooling air flow, creating a swirl pattern that enhances heat transfer efficiency. This dimensional change in flow configuration improves cooling effectiveness without requiring complex manufacturing of the ceramic airfoil itself.
2Temperature
If ceramic materials are implemented in airfoils, then temperature resistance is improved, but structural support and constraint challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The TOBI system acts as an intermediary between the cooling air supply and the ceramic airfoil. It provides a metallic or composite structure that can be easily manufactured and constrained, while delivering cooling functionality to the ceramic airfoil, thus bypassing the structural support challenges of working directly with ceramic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the cooling air flow by introducing tangential velocity components and controlling pressure distributions. These parameter changes enable effective cooling of ceramic airfoils without requiring complex structural modifications to the ceramic materials themselves.
3Temperature
If cooling air is distributed through traditional methods, then cooling effectiveness is achieved, but flow distribution efficiency and heat transfer performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The TOBI system creates a dynamic cooling flow with rotational motion that adapts to the airfoil's thermal zones. The tangential injection generates a swirling flow pattern that dynamically distributes cooling air more effectively across the airfoil surface compared to static traditional cooling methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by introducing cooling air through tangential nozzles that create controlled flow patterns. The gas dynamics and pressure distribution mechanisms enhance heat transfer efficiency, improving cooling productivity without requiring complex mechanical cooling systems.
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 TOBI system effectively supports ceramic vanes while efficiently distributing cooling air, enhancing the durability and temperature capability of the airfoils.
Implementation Method 1
TOBI inlet ports that are connected, respectively, with the vane outlet ports to receive the cooling air from each of the vanes into the plenum
Implementation Method 2
The TOBI includes a plurality of axially-oriented nozzles for discharging the cooling air from the plenum in an aft direction
Implementation Method 3
efficiently distributing cooling air, enhancing the durability and temperature capability of the airfoils
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine includes a circumferential row of vanes arranged about a central engine axis. The vanes include respective internal cavities and vane outlet ports for conveying cooling air. A tangential onboard injector (TOBI) radially supports the vanes at an inner diameter of the circumferential row. The TOBI includes fore and aft annular walls and an outer diameter annular wall. The fore and aft annular walls and the outer diameter annular wall define an annular plenum. The outer diameter annular wall includes TOBI inlet ports that are connected, respectively, with the vane outlet ports to receive the cooling air from each of the vanes into the plenum. The TOBI includes axially-oriented nozzles for discharging the cooling air from the plenum in an aft direction.