Gas Turbine Vane Forward Rail Airflow Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current designs of gas turbine engine vane and rail assemblies face challenges in efficiently accessing airflow to cores or cavities of airfoils, due to difficulties in drilling access routes and inefficient airflow promotion.
Innovation Solution
The vane assemblies incorporate a platform with a platform feed structure that defines a fluid path through the forward rail and into a baffle within the leading edge cavity of the airfoil, allowing for improved airflow access and baffle installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If drilled channels are used to access cores or cavities of airfoils, then airflow can be provided to cooling circuits, but access to vane rail portions becomes difficult and drilling is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The vane rail is segmented into multiple portions (first vane rail portion, second vane rail portion, third vane rail portion) with different functions. The first portion provides airflow access, the second portion contains the cooling circuit, and the third portion extends into the core. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, making manufacturing and access easier.
Solution Approach 2:
A platform feed structure is introduced as an intermediary component that receives airflow from the plenum and directs it to the cores or cavities of airfoils. This feed structure simplifies the access route by providing a dedicated pathway, eliminating the need for complex drilled channels through the vane rail portions.
2Reliability
If current vane rail designs are used, then structural support is provided, but airflow efficiency to cores or cavities is reduced and pressure losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the vane rail are designed with different local qualities optimized for their specific functions. The first vane rail portion is optimized for airflow reception from the plenum, the second portion is optimized for containing the cooling circuit with minimal pressure loss, and the third portion is optimized for extending into the core while maintaining structural support. This local optimization reduces overall pressure losses while maintaining structural integrity.
3Reliability
If baffles are installed in leading edge cavities, then airflow distribution is improved, but installation becomes difficult with current designs
Solution Approach 1:
The platform feed structure is designed with a preliminary opening that allows baffles to be installed before the final assembly is completed. This preliminary access pathway is built into the design, enabling easy installation of baffles in leading edge cavities without requiring complex post-assembly modifications or disassembly operations.
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 configuration enhances airflow efficiency to airfoil cooling circuits, allows for the installation of baffles, and reduces pressure losses and plugging risks in the cooling system.
Implementation Method 1
platform feed structure arranged on the platform in the plenum and defining a fluid path through the forward rail and into the baffle of the leading edge cavity
Implementation Method 2
the cover plate comprises a turning contour surface that is shaped to turn an airflow from an axial flow direction to a radial flow direction within the turning plenum
Data Source
AI summary
Vane assemblies for gas turbine engines are described. The vane assemblies include a platform having an interior platform surface, a forward rail, and an aft rail, wherein the interior platform surface, the forward rail, and the aft rail define a plenum, an airfoil extending radially inward from the platform on a side opposite the forward and aft rails, the airfoil having a leading edge cavity and a baffle installed within the leading edge cavity, and platform feed structure arranged on the platform in the plenum and defining a fluid path through the forward rail and into the baffle of the leading edge cavity.