Variable Guide Vane Heat Exchanger for Adaptive Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchanger systems in gas turbine engines are inadequate for managing higher thermal loads, particularly at low-speed or part-power conditions, and can decrease engine efficiency at high power conditions, while also increasing engine weight.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion system with a heat exchanger and flow modulation system that includes a first vane articulatable to adjust fluid flow into thermal communication with a heat exchanger positioned within a second vane, allowing for adaptive thermal management and minimizing weight increases by using a variable guide vane system instead of doors, flaps, or bleed injectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heat exchange systems utilize doors, flaps, scoops, or bleed injectors, then heat exchange capability is improved, but engine weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by implementing a variable guide vane system that can dynamically adjust its position to modulate fluid flow through the heat exchanger. The guide vane rotates about a radial axis to change the flow area, allowing the system to adapt heat exchange capability to varying operational conditions without adding heavy mechanical components like doors or flaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the Parameter changes principle by varying the guide vane angle to control the amount of fluid directed through the heat exchanger. By changing the angular position parameter of the guide vane, the system modulates heat exchange effectiveness across different power conditions, achieving adaptive thermal management without structural weight increase.
2Device complexity
If conventional heat exchange systems operate primarily as a function of engine speed, then system simplicity is maintained, but thermal management performance deteriorates at low speed or part-power conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control through the articulatable guide vane that can be positioned independently of engine speed. This allows the system to optimize thermal management performance across the entire operating range, particularly improving part-power and low-speed conditions where conventional fixed systems fail, while maintaining relative system simplicity through the use of a single rotating vane component.
3Reliability
If conventional heat exchange systems are designed for high power conditions, then heat transfer performance is improved, but engine efficiency decreases at high power conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the guide vane position variable, allowing the heat exchanger to receive appropriate fluid flow at different power conditions. At high power conditions, the guide vane can be positioned to reduce or bypass flow through the heat exchanger, preventing excessive cooling that would decrease engine efficiency, while still maintaining the capability for high heat transfer performance when needed at lower power conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow distribution parameter dynamically based on operating conditions. By adjusting the guide vane angle, the system optimizes the balance between heat transfer performance and engine efficiency, ensuring that heat exchange is applied appropriately rather than continuously, thus maintaining engine efficiency at high power while preserving thermal management capability when required.
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 system improves engine efficiency and thermal management performance without increasing engine weight or altering bulk flow patterns, enabling effective heat transfer and adaptive operation across various power conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger positioned within the second vane. The inlet opening and the outlet opening allow the flow of fluid in fluid communication with the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a first vane extended along the radial direction and configured to rotate about a radial axis extended along the radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A propulsion system is provided including a first vane extended along the radial direction. The first vane is configured to rotate relative to a vane axis extended along the radial direction. A second vane is extended along the radial direction. The second vane is positioned aft along the axial direction of the first vane. The second vane forms an inlet opening proximate to a second vane leading edge, and the second vane forms an outlet opening proximate to a second vane trailing edge. The inlet opening and the outlet opening together allow a flow of fluid through the second vane. A heat exchanger is positioned within the second vane. The inlet opening and the outlet opening allow the flow of fluid in fluid communication with the heat exchanger.