Turbo-Engine Cooling Duct Free Jet Impingement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current film cooling methods in turbo-engine components result in inhomogeneous cooling effects, leading to local hot spots and reduced mechanical strength due to the limited number of coolant discharge ducts, which also increase coolant consumption and impact engine efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The method involves guiding a working fluid flow along a hot gas side surface and discharging a coolant supply flow as a free jet into the coolant discharge duct, oriented across its cross-section, to enhance impingement cooling, particularly at the inner surface sections of the coolant discharge duct, thereby improving cooling efficiency and uniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the number of coolant discharge ducts is increased to improve cooling uniformity, then cooling homogeneity is improved, but mechanical strength is reduced and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling uniformityVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is segmented into multiple functional zones: upstream cooling ducts for the first wall section, downstream cooling ducts for the second wall section, and intermediate cooling ducts for the transition zone. This segmentation allows targeted cooling where needed while maintaining structural integrity in less critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different cooling strategies are applied to different regions of the component. The upstream, intermediate, and downstream sections each receive customized cooling through specifically positioned ducts, allowing optimal cooling uniformity without uniformly increasing duct density throughout the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If the number of coolant discharge ducts is increased to improve cooling uniformity, then cooling homogeneity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling uniformityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is divided into distinct upstream, intermediate, and downstream duct groups, each serving specific zones. This segmentation enables modular design and simplifies the overall system architecture by organizing complexity into manageable, functionally distinct segments rather than a monolithic complex structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Temperature

If coolant discharge ducts are provided to cool the component, then cooling effect is improved, but coolant consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidcoolant consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Coolant is directed to specific zones (upstream, intermediate, downstream) based on their individual cooling requirements. This localized approach ensures coolant is used efficiently where thermal loads are highest, rather than uniformly distributing it throughout the entire component, thereby reducing overall coolant consumption while maintaining effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system is designed to naturally distribute coolant through the segmented duct structure, with each zone serving its own cooling needs. The upstream, intermediate, and downstream ducts create a self-regulating flow pattern that optimizes coolant utilization across the component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 approach achieves more even temperature distribution, reduces coolant consumption, and maintains mechanical strength by enhancing cooling effectiveness at areas previously poorly cooled, such as those upstream of the coolant discharge duct.

Implementation Method 1

discharging the coolant supply flow into the coolant discharge duct as a free jet oriented across a cross section of the coolant discharge duct and directing the free jet onto an inner surface section of the coolant discharge duct, thus effecting impingement cooling of said inner surface section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpingement cooling:

Implementation Method 2

In applying film cooling, a layer of relatively cooler fluid is provided flowing along the surfaces of the components which are exposed to a hot working fluid flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFilm cooling:

Data Source

PatentEP3124746B1Method for cooling a turbo-engine component and turbo-engine component
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 ANSALDO ENERGIA IP UK LTD
  • EP3124746B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3124746B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3124746B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed is a method for cooling a turbo-engine component, the method comprising guiding a working fluid flow (50) along a hot gas side surface (110) of a wall (100) of the component and in a main working fluid flow direction, discharging a coolant discharge flow (350) at the hot gas side surface (110) from a coolant discharge duct (210) provided in the wall (100), supplying a coolant supply flow (310) to the coolant discharge duct (210) and through a coolant supply path, characterized in discharging the coolant supply flow (310) into the coolant discharge duct (210) as a free jet (340) oriented across a cross section of the coolant discharge duct (210), and directing the free jet (340) onto an inner surface section (211) of the coolant discharge duct (210), thus effecting impingement cooling of the inner surface section (211). Further disclosed is a turbo-engine component adapted and configured to perform the method.