Wedge-Shaped Flow Splitter for Gas Turbine Diffuser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine systems face inefficiencies in splitting compressed working fluid into multiple flow streams, which affects the performance and application of these engines in various power generation and propulsion systems.
Innovation Solution
The design of unique flow splitters and supports within a diffuser of a gas turbine engine, which split the compressed flow into multiple streams by utilizing triangular-like wedge-shaped splitters with curved and flat surfaces to form channels that increase cross-sectional area, allowing for efficient diffusion and energy extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional flow splitting systems are used in gas turbine engines, then the structure is simpler, but the energy extraction efficiency and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow splitter divides the compressed working fluid into multiple separate flow streams using wedge-shaped splitter elements positioned within the diffuser. This segmentation allows each stream to be independently directed to different combustor inlets or turbine stages, improving energy extraction efficiency by optimizing the flow distribution across multiple paths rather than a single conventional path
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a multi-dimensional flow splitting approach by positioning splitter elements at strategic locations within the diffuser to create three-dimensional flow paths. The splitters extend radially and axially to divide the annular flow into multiple streams, adding spatial complexity that enables superior energy extraction compared to conventional two-dimensional flow splitting
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple flow streams are created for improved energy extraction, then the energy efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow splitter system is designed with universal applicability to support multiple flow stream configurations (e.g., dividing into two, three, or more streams) depending on the specific engine architecture and application requirements. The same basic splitter geometry and positioning principles can be adapted to create different numbers of flow streams, providing multi-functionality that improves energy extraction efficiency across various gas turbine engine configurations without requiring completely different designs for each application
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 enhances the efficiency of gas turbine engines by effectively splitting compressed working fluid into multiple streams, improving energy extraction and adaptability for various applications, including aircraft and industrial power generation.
Implementation Method 1
diffuser splitters... channels that increase cross-sectional area, allowing for efficient diffusion and energy extraction
Data Source
AI summary
A splitter is disclosed that can be coupled with a splitter support and used within a diffuser of a gas turbine engine. The splitter includes apertures for receiving a portion of the splitter support. The splitter support includes support arms that are adapted to be slidingly received within the apertures of the splitter.