Turbine Vane Air Particle Separator for Bearing Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for providing clean air to the bearing compartment of a turbine engine are not optimized, leading to potential contamination and inefficiencies in air filtration and cooling.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a vane array structure integrated with an air particle separator within a turbine engine. This assembly includes an inner and outer platform with vanes extending radially across the flowpath, and an air particle separator that processes bleed air to separate clean air and waste air, with the clean air directed to the bearing compartment and the waste air used for cooling the vane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If compressed air is provided to the bearing compartment using existing systems, then the bearing compartment can be pressurized, but air contamination and filtration inefficiency occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair filtration reliabilityVSAvoidair contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply system is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first region for clean compressed air supply to the bearing compartment, and a second region for waste air discharge. The vane array is divided into multiple vanes, each containing air particle separators, allowing differential air processing throughout the flowpath.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Air particle separators are introduced as intermediary components within the vanes to filter and separate air particles before the air reaches the bearing compartment. These separators act as mediators that prevent contamination while maintaining the pressurization function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If air is processed through particle separators, then clean air is provided to the bearing compartment, but cooling efficiency of the vane array decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair cleaning reliabilityVSAvoidvane cooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the vane array are assigned different functions: some vanes contain air particle separators for clean air generation, while other vanes serve as cooling passages for waste air discharge. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of air cleaning and cooling functions without compromising either.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The vane array is segmented into functional zones where particle separation occurs in the first region and waste air discharge occurs in the second region. This segmentation prevents thermal interference between the cooling function and the particle separation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If multiple vanes with air particle separators are implemented, then air filtration improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair filtration reliabilityVSAvoidvane array structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air particle separator is merged with the vane structure itself, forming an integrated assembly where the separator becomes part of the vane. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining effective air filtration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vane array serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides airflow, contains air particle separators for filtration, provides cooling passages for waste air discharge, and maintains structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution effectively provides clean air to the bearing compartment, reducing the risk of contamination and improving the overall efficiency of air filtration and cooling within the turbine engine.

Implementation Method 1

processing the bleed air within the vane to provide clean air and waste air, wherein the waste air includes more debris than the clean air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectParticle separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 2

cooling the vane using the waste air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20250027447A1Turbine engine vane array structure with air particle separator

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 RTX CORP

AI summary

An assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This assembly includes a vane array structure and an air particle separator. The vane array structure includes an inner platform, an outer platform and a plurality of vanes. The inner platform forms an inner peripheral boundary of a flowpath through the vane array structure. The outer platform forms an outer peripheral boundary of the flowpath through the vane array structure. The vanes are arranged circumferentially about an axis. Each of the vanes extends radially across the flowpath from the inner platform to the outer platform. The vanes include a first vane. The air particle separator is arranged within the first vane.