Turbogenerator Cooling System with Variable Guide Vanes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current turbogenerators are slow to switch between power and cooling modes, which is inadequate for high-energy devices like directed energy weapons that require rapid power pulsing and heat removal.
Innovation Solution
A turbogenerator system with a gas turbine engine, an annular heat exchanger across the outer fan duct, variable guide vanes, and a vapor cycle cooling system with phase change material for rapid power and cooling flow switching, allowing the gas turbine engine to constantly operate near firing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a turbogenerator is used to provide power for directed energy weapons, then sufficient power can be provided, but the switching speed is slow (on the order of 4 sec)
Solution Approach 1:
The turbogenerator is divided into separate functional modules: an independent gas turbine engine, a generator, and a cooling system with annular heat exchangers. This segmentation allows the gas turbine to constantly operate near firing conditions while the generator and cooling system can be rapidly activated or deactivated to meet transient power requirements, achieving fast switching without compromising power output capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates variable inlet guide vanes and variable outlet guide vanes in the outer fan duct that can be dynamically adjusted to control airflow and power distribution. This dynamic control enables rapid switching between power mode and cooling mode by redirecting airflow paths, allowing the system to respond to transient demands in less than 0.1 seconds while maintaining the gas turbine's continuous operation.
2Speed
If batteries and complicated power electronics are used to meet transient power requirements, then fast power delivery can be achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas turbine engine serves multiple functions: it continuously generates power for the generator, drives the cooling system via the annular heat exchanger, and can be dynamically controlled to prioritize either power delivery or cooling based on system needs. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate battery systems and complex power electronics, achieving fast response through a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is self-regulating through the annular heat exchanger that directly interfaces with the gas turbine's airflow paths. The variable guide vanes automatically redirect airflow between power generation and cooling functions based on thermal management needs, eliminating the requirement for complex external control systems, batteries, or power electronics.
3Temperature
If large RAM air heat exchangers are used for thermal management, then sufficient heat removal can be provided, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged with the gas turbine's existing airflow system by placing annular heat exchangers in the outer fan duct. This integration allows the cooling system to utilize the gas turbine's natural airflow without requiring separate large RAM air heat exchangers, reducing both size and complexity while maintaining sufficient heat removal capacity for directed energy weapons.
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
Enables fast switching between power and cooling modes, providing efficient thermal management for high-energy devices by maintaining constant engine operation and rapid power delivery to directed energy weapons.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling system including an annular heat exchanger disposed entirely across an annular outer fan duct of the gas turbine engine
Implementation Method 2
a vapor cycle cooling system and a cold storage containing a phase change material
Data Source
AI summary
A turbogenerator having a gas turbine engine powering generator and a cooling system and an annular heat exchanger powered by a fan disposed across an outer fan duct of the engine. Fan variable inlet and outlet guide vanes may be used to vary power between the fan and the generator which are drivenly connected to a low pressure turbine. Inner and outer portions separated by a rotating shroud of the fan are disposed in annular inner and outer fan ducts respectively. A directed energy weapon may be powered by the generator and cooled by the cooling system. A refrigeration apparatus may be operably disposed between the annular heat exchanger and the directed energy weapon for cooling the directed energy weapon and conditioning power electronics for the weapon. The refrigeration apparatus may include a vapor cycle cooling system and a cold storage containing a phase change material.