Wave Rotor Combustor Temperature Control via Conditioned Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine wave rotor combustors experience non-uniform temperature distributions due to high-temperature combustion products, leading to potential damage and reduced efficiency from thermal stresses, as the existing designs lack effective temperature regulation.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a rotor drum assembly with radially extending webs containing fluid flow passages that receive conditioned air to regulate temperature distribution, allowing for heat transfer between the conditioned air and the rotor drum assembly, thereby maintaining a more uniform temperature across the combustor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If wave rotor combustors operate with high-temperature combustion products, then power output and efficiency are improved, but thermal stresses cause potential damage and reduced component lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cooling fluid (air or inert gas) as an intermediary substance that flows through channels in the rotor drum and wave generator components. This intermediary absorbs excess heat from the high-temperature combustion products through thermal conduction and convection, transferring the heat away from critical structural components while allowing the combustion process to continue at high temperatures for power generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic cooling by circulating a fluid (typically air or inert gas) through a network of cooling channels embedded in the rotor drum and wave generator. The pressurized fluid flow removes heat from the components exposed to high-temperature combustion products, enabling the system to operate at high power levels while maintaining component integrity and extending lifespan
2Productivity
If wave rotor combustors operate at high temperatures, then combustion efficiency is improved, but non-uniform temperature distributions cause thermal stresses and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local cooling by providing cooling channels specifically in the rotor drum and wave generator components that are most exposed to high-temperature combustion products. The cooling fluid is directed to these specific locations where thermal stresses are most severe, creating a non-uniform temperature distribution that is intentionally designed to protect critical components while maintaining high overall combustion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fluid acts as a thermal intermediary between the high-temperature combustion products and the structural components. By introducing this intermediary substance into the thermal field, the patent enables efficient heat transfer away from components, maintaining high combustion temperatures for efficiency while preventing excessive localized heating that would cause thermal stresses and damage
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 regulates the temperature distribution within the wave rotor combustor, reducing thermal stresses and enhancing the longevity and efficiency of the components by maintaining a more uniform temperature, which in turn improves the overall performance and lifespan of the gas turbine engine.
Implementation Method 1
fluid flow passages extending through the web and adapted to receive conditioned air to regulate a temperature distribution of the rotor drum assembly
Implementation Method 2
heat transfer between the conditioned air and the rotor drum assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A wave rotor combustor includes an inlet plate, an outlet plate, and a rotor drum assembly positioned therebetween. The inlet plate is formed to include an inlet port arranged to receive a mixture of fuel and air. The outlet plate is formed to include an outlet port arranged to receive combusted gasses flowing out of the wave rotor combustor. The rotor drum assembly is arranged to rotate relative to the inlet and outlet plates and to combust the fuel and air mixture as part of a combustion process. Conditioned air is passed through the wave rotor combustor to regulate a temperature distribution of the wave rotor combustor.