Vortex Air-Oil Separator Using Rotating Disk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air-oil separator designs in gas turbine engines suffer from poor oil separation efficiency due to short axial distances and high radial momentum of the air-oil mixture, leading to inadequate dwell time for vortex motion, especially at high temperatures, resulting in significant oil loss.
Innovation Solution
A vortex air-oil separator system utilizing a rotating disk with passages and a cavity to create a vortex, which increases tangential momentum and dwell time, enhancing oil separation by redirecting the air-oil mixture flow to impart a tangential component of velocity, and optionally cooling the mixture to increase oil particle density for improved separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional separator designs with short axial distances are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the oil separation efficiency deteriorates due to inadequate dwell time for vortex motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tangential dimension to the air-oil mixture flow by creating a vortex motion through a specially designed separator geometry. The separator imparts tangential velocity to the axial flow, transforming it into a rotating vortex flow pattern. This dimensional change extends the effective separation path length without increasing the axial distance, allowing adequate dwell time for oil particle separation while maintaining a compact separator structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If the axial distance in the separator is increased to improve oil separation, then the oil separation efficiency improves, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent solves this contradiction by utilizing the radial and tangential dimensions to extend the separation path. The vortex flow pattern causes oil particles to migrate radially outward while the tangential motion provides extended dwell time. This allows effective separation to occur within a compact axial distance by exploiting the three-dimensional vortex flow field rather than relying solely on axial length.
3Speed
If the radial momentum of the air-oil mixture is high, then the flow velocity is maintained, but the oil separation efficiency deteriorates due to insufficient dwell time for vortex motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the high radial momentum flow into a controlled vortex flow pattern. The separator geometry converts the linear radial momentum into rotational tangential motion, creating a dynamic vortex flow field. This dynamic transformation maintains the kinetic energy of the flow while extending the dwell time through circular motion, allowing oil particles to separate effectively despite the high initial flow velocity.
4Temperature
If the temperature of the air-oil mixture is high, then the cooling effect on bearings is maintained, but the oil separation efficiency deteriorates due to reduced oil particle density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses this contradiction by optimizing the vortex flow parameters rather than changing the temperature. By adjusting the vortex intensity, rotational speed, and flow pattern characteristics, the separator maintains effective oil particle separation despite the reduced density at high temperatures. The enhanced tangential momentum and extended dwell time in the vortex flow compensate for the lower oil particle density, allowing separation to proceed effectively at elevated temperatures.
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 vortex air-oil separator system achieves high oil separation efficiency, exceeding 95% for particles as small as 10 microns, compared to less than 20% with conventional methods, by extending dwell time and increasing centrifugal forces, effectively reducing oil consumption in gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
a vortex is created when there is a flow through the plurality of passages into the cavity
Implementation Method 2
as the air-oil mixture swirls down to a lower radius centrifugal forces drive the more massive oil particles back to the inside diameter of the shaft
Implementation Method 3
centrifugal forces drive the more massive oil particles back to the inside diameter of the shaft, while the air escapes through the vent exit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a vortex generator that may be used in systems for separating oil from air oil mixtures. The vortex generator comprises a rotating disk having a rim having a plurality of passages extending through it and a cavity formed by the rotating disk and a cavity wall wherein a vortex is created when there is a flow through the plurality of passages into the cavity.