Turbofan Intercooler Cooling Compressed Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbofan engine assemblies face inefficiencies in thermal efficiency and thrust specific fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A turbofan engine assembly design featuring a compressor, intermittent internal combustion engines, a turbine, a bypass duct with an intercooler for heat exchange, and a fan that propels air through the bypass duct to cool compressed air before delivering it to the engines, enhancing thermal efficiency and fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If compressed air is delivered directly to the internal combustion engine without cooling, then the engine receives sufficient mass flow, but the thermal efficiency is reduced due to high intake temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The intercooler is positioned in the bypass duct to cool the compressed air before it reaches the internal combustion engine. This preliminary cooling action reduces the intake air temperature, thereby improving thermal efficiency and reducing thrust specific fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The intercooler acts as an intermediary component between the compressor and the internal combustion engine. It provides heat exchange functionality to cool the compressed air through the bypass duct, mediating the temperature reduction before the air enters the engine.
2Use of energy by moving object
If an intercooler is added to cool the compressed air, then thermal efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intercooler is merged with the bypass duct structure, integrating the heat exchange function into the existing engine assembly architecture. This combination approach adds the cooling functionality while minimizing additional structural complexity compared to a separate intercooler system.
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 improves thermal efficiency and reduces thrust specific fuel consumption by utilizing the bypass duct's intercooler to cool compressed air before it reaches the engines, increasing overall engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
the intercooler is located in the bypass duct, the intercooler having at least one second passage in heat exchange relationship with the at least one first passage
Data Source
AI summary
A turbofan engine assembly including a compressor, an intermittent internal combustion engine having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the compressor through at least one first passage of an intercooler, a turbine having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the intermittent internal combustion engine, the turbine compounded with the intermittent internal combustion engine, a bypass duct surrounding the intermittent internal combustion engine, compressor and turbine, and a fan configured to propel air through the bypass duct and through an inlet of the compressor, wherein the intercooler is located in the bypass duct, the intercooler having at least one second passage in heat exchange relationship with the at least one first passage, the at least one second passage in fluid communication with the bypass duct.