The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to gas turbine engines and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for mitigating particulate accumulation on cooling surfaces of components of gas turbine engines.
In one example, a combustor of a gas turbine engine may be configured and required to burn fuel in a minimum volume. Such configurations may place substantial heat load on the structure of the combustor (e.g., panels, shell, etc.). Such heat loads may dictate that special consideration is given to structures, which may be configured as heat shields or panels, and to the cooling of such structures to protect these structures. Excess temperatures at these structures may lead to oxidation, cracking, and high thermal stresses of the heat shields or panels. Particulates in the air used to cool these structures may inhibit cooling of the heat shield and reduce durability. Particulates, in particular atmospheric particulates, include solid or liquid matter suspended in the atmosphere such as dust, ice, ash, sand, and dirt.
According to one embodiment, a gas turbine engine component assembly is provided. The gas turbine engine component assembly comprising: a first component having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first component includes a cooling hole extending from the second surface to the first surface through the first component; a second component having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the first component and the second surface of the second component defining a cooling channel therebetween in fluid communication with the cooling hole for cooling the second surface of the second component; and a lateral flow injection feature integrally formed in the first component, the lateral flow injection feature fluidly connecting a flow path located proximate to the second surface of first component to the cooling channel, the lateral flow injection feature being configured to direct airflow from the airflow path through a passageway and into the cooling channel at least partially in a lateral direction parallel to the second surface of the second component such that a cross flow is generated in the cooling channel.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the passageway further comprises: a guide wall oriented at a selected angle configured to direct airflow in the lateral direction parallel to the second surface of the second component such that the cross flow is generated in the cooling channel.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the guide wall encloses the passageway.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the lateral flow injection feature is fluidly connected to the airflow path through an inlet oriented perpendicular to the second surface of the first component.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the lateral flow injection feature is fluidly connected to the airflow path through an inlet oriented parallel to the airflow path.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the lateral flow injection feature further comprises: a particulate collection location located opposite the inlet and proximate a particulate separation turn configured to turn the airflow such that a particulate separates from the airflow and is directed into the particulate collection location.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the particulate collection location is configured as a collection well.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the second component further comprises a cooling hole extending from the second surface of the second component to the first surface of the second component and fluidly connecting the cooling channel to an area located proximate the first surface of the second component.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the lateral flow injection feature is formed by deforming the first component.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the lateral flow injection feature is formed in a first portion of the first component and attached a second portion of the first component through a mechanical joint.
According to another embodiment, a combustor for use in a gas turbine engine is provided. The combustor enclosing a combustion chamber having a combustion area, wherein the combustor comprises: a combustion liner having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, wherein the combustion liner includes a primary aperture extending from the outer surface to the inner surface through the combustion liner; a heat shield panel interposed between the inner surface of the combustion liner and the combustion area, the heat shield panel having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface is oriented towards the inner surface, and wherein the heat shield panel is separated from the liner by an impingement cavity; and a lateral flow injection feature integrally formed in the combustion liner, the lateral flow injection feature fluidly connecting a flow path located proximate to the outer surface of the liner to the impingement cavity, the lateral flow injection feature being configured to direct airflow from the airflow path through a passageway and into the impingement cavity at least partially in a lateral direction parallel to the second surface of the heat shield panel such that a cross flow is generated in the impingement cavity.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the passageway further comprises: a guide wall oriented at a selected angle configured to direct airflow in the lateral direction parallel to the second surface of the heat shield panel such that the cross flow is generated in the impingement cavity.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the guide wall encloses the passageway.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the lateral flow injection feature is fluidly connected to the airflow path through an inlet oriented perpendicular to the outer surface of the combustion liner.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the lateral flow injection feature is fluidly connected to the airflow path through an inlet oriented parallel to the airflow path.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the lateral flow injection feature further comprises: a particulate collection location located opposite the inlet and proximate a particulate separation turn configured to turn the airflow such that a particulate separates from the airflow and is directed into the particulate collection location.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the particulate collection location is configured as a collection well.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the heat shield panel further comprises a secondary aperture extending from the second surface of the heat shield panel to the first surface of the heat shield panel and fluidly connecting the impingement cavity to the combustion area.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the lateral flow injection feature is formed by deforming the combustion liner.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the lateral flow injection feature is formed in a first portion of the combustion liner and attached a second portion of the combustion liner through a mechanical joint.
The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory in nature and non-limiting.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
The detailed description explains embodiments of the present disclosure, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
Combustors of gas turbine engines, as well as other components, experience elevated heat levels during operation. Impingement and convective cooling of panels of the combustor wall may be used to help cool the combustor. Convective cooling may be achieved by air that is channeled between the panels and a liner of the combustor. Impingement cooling may be a process of directing relatively cool air from a location exterior to the combustor toward a back or underside of the panels.
Thus, combustion liners and heat shield panels are utilized to face the hot products of combustion within a combustion chamber and protect the overall combustor shell. The combustion liners may be supplied with cooling air including dilution passages which deliver a high volume of cooling air into a hot flow path. The cooling air may be air from the compressor of the gas turbine engine. The cooling air may impinge upon a back side of a heat shield panel that faces a combustion liner inside the combustor. The cooling air may contain particulates, which may build up on the heat shield panels overtime, thus reducing the cooling ability of the cooling air. Embodiments disclosed herein seek to address particulate adherence to the heat shield panels in order to maintain the cooling ability of the cooling air.
The exemplary engine 20 generally includes a low speed spool 30 and a high speed spool 32 mounted for rotation about an engine central longitudinal axis A relative to an engine static structure 36 via several bearing systems 38. It should be understood that various bearing systems 38 at various locations may alternatively or additionally be provided, and the location of bearing systems 38 may be varied as appropriate to the application.
The low speed spool 30 generally includes an inner shaft 40 that interconnects a fan 42, a low pressure compressor 44 and a low pressure turbine 46. The inner shaft 40 is connected to the fan 42 through a speed change mechanism, which in exemplary gas turbine engine 20 is illustrated as a geared architecture 48 to drive the fan 42 at a lower speed than the low speed spool 30. The high speed spool 32 includes an outer shaft 50 that interconnects a high pressure compressor 52 and high pressure turbine 54. A combustor 300 is arranged in exemplary gas turbine 20 between the high pressure compressor 52 and the high pressure turbine 54. An engine static structure 36 is arranged generally between the high pressure turbine 54 and the low pressure turbine 46. The engine static structure 36 further supports bearing systems 38 in the turbine section 28. The inner shaft 40 and the outer shaft 50 are concentric and rotate via bearing systems 38 about the engine central longitudinal axis A which is collinear with their longitudinal axes.
The core airflow is compressed by the low pressure compressor 44 then the high pressure compressor 52, mixed and burned with fuel in the combustor 300, then expanded over the high pressure turbine 54 and low pressure turbine 46. The turbines 46, 54 rotationally drive the respective low speed spool 30 and high speed spool 32 in response to the expansion. It will be appreciated that each of the positions of the fan section 22, compressor section 24, combustor section 26, turbine section 28, and fan drive gear system 48 may be varied. For example, gear system 48 may be located aft of combustor section 26 or even aft of turbine section 28, and fan section 22 may be positioned forward or aft of the location of gear system 48.
The engine 20 in one example is a high-bypass geared aircraft engine. In a further example, the engine 20 bypass ratio is greater than about six (6), with an example embodiment being greater than about ten (10), the geared architecture 48 is an epicyclic gear train, such as a planetary gear system or other gear system, with a gear reduction ratio of greater than about 2.3 and the low pressure turbine 46 has a pressure ratio that is greater than about five. In one disclosed embodiment, the engine 20 bypass ratio is greater than about ten (10:1), the fan diameter is significantly larger than that of the low pressure compressor 44, and the low pressure turbine 46 has a pressure ratio that is greater than about five 5:1. Low pressure turbine 46 pressure ratio is pressure measured prior to inlet of low pressure turbine 46 as related to the pressure at the outlet of the low pressure turbine 46 prior to an exhaust nozzle. The geared architecture 48 may be an epicycle gear train, such as a planetary gear system or other gear system, with a gear reduction ratio of greater than about 2.3:1. It should be understood, however, that the above parameters are only exemplary of one embodiment of a geared architecture engine and that the present disclosure is applicable to other gas turbine engines including direct drive turbofans.
A significant amount of thrust is provided by the bypass flow B due to the high bypass ratio. The fan section 22 of the engine 20 is designed for a particular flight condition—typically cruise at about 0.8 Mach and about 35,000 feet (10,688 meters). The flight condition of 0.8 Mach and 35,000 ft (10,688 meters), with the engine at its best fuel consumption—also known as “bucket cruise Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption (‘TSFC’)”—is the industry standard parameter of lbm of fuel being burned divided by lbf of thrust the engine produces at that minimum point. “Low fan pressure ratio” is the pressure ratio across the fan blade alone, without a Fan Exit Guide Vane (“FEGV”) system. The low fan pressure ratio as disclosed herein according to one non-limiting embodiment is less than about 1.45. “Low corrected fan tip speed” is the actual fan tip speed in ft/sec divided by an industry standard temperature correction of [(Tram ° R)/(518.7° R]0.5. The “Low corrected fan tip speed” as disclosed herein according to one non-limiting embodiment is less than about 1150 ft/second (350.5 m/sec).
Referring now to
Compressor air is supplied from the compressor section 24 into a pre-diffuser strut 112. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the pre-diffuser strut 112 is configured to direct the airflow into the pre-diffuser 110, which then directs the airflow toward the combustor 300. The combustor 300 and the pre-diffuser 110 are separated by a shroud chamber 113 that contains the combustor 300 and includes an inner diameter branch 114 and an outer diameter branch 116. As air enters the shroud chamber 113, a portion of the air may flow into the combustor inlet 306, a portion may flow into the inner diameter branch 114, and a portion may flow into the outer diameter branch 116.
The air from the inner diameter branch 114 and the outer diameter branch 116 may then enter the combustion chamber 302 by means of one or more primary apertures 307 in the combustion liner 600 and one or more secondary apertures 309 in the heat shield panels 400. The primary apertures 307 and secondary apertures 309 may include nozzles, holes, etc. The air may then exit the combustion chamber 302 through the combustor outlet 308. At the same time, fuel may be supplied into the combustion chamber 302 from a fuel injector 320 and a pilot nozzle 322, which may be ignited within the combustion chamber 302. The combustor 300 of the engine combustion section 26 may be housed within a shroud case 124 which may define the shroud chamber 113.
The combustor 300, as shown in
Referring now to
The combustion liner 600 includes a plurality of primary apertures 307 configured to allow airflow 590 from the inner diameter branch 114 and the outer diameter branch 116 to enter an impingement cavity 390 in between the combustion liner 600 and the heat shield panel 400. Each of the primary apertures 307 extend from the outer surface 620 to the inner surface 610 through the combustion liner 600.
Each of the primary apertures 307 fluidly connects the impingement cavity 390 to at least one of the inner diameter branch 114 and the outer diameter branch 116. The heat shield panel 400 may include one or more secondary apertures 309 configured to allow airflow 590 from the impingement cavity 390 to the combustion area 370 of the combustion chamber 302.
Each of the secondary apertures 309 extend from the second surface 420 to the first surface 410 through the heat shield panel 400. Airflow 590 flowing into the impingement cavity 390 impinges on the second surface 420 of the heat shield panel 400 and absorbs heat from the heat shield panel 400 as it impinges on the second surface 420. As seen in
The combustion liner 600 may include a lateral flow injection feature 500a-d configured to direct airflow from an airflow path D into the impingement cavity in about a lateral direction X1 such that a cross flow 590a is generated in the impingement cavity 390. The lateral direction X1 may be parallel relative to the second surface 420 of the heat shield panel 400. Advantageously, the addition of a lateral flow injection feature 500a-d to the combustion liner 600 generates a lateral airflow 590 thus promoting the movement of particulate 592 through the impingement cavity 390 and towards an exit 392 of the impingement cavity 390, thus reducing the amount of particulate 592 collecting on the second surface 420 of the heat shield panel 400, as seen in
The passageway 506a of the lateral flow injection feature 500a may include a guide wall 508a oriented at a selected angle α1 configured to direct airflow 592 in about a lateral direction X1 to generate a cross flow 590a. In the example illustrated in
The passageway 506b of the lateral flow injection feature 500b may include a guide wall 508b oriented at a selected angle α1 configured to direct airflow 592 in about a lateral direction X1 to generate a cross flow 590a. In the example illustrated in
A particulate collection location 530b may be located opposite the inlet 502b and proximate a particulate separation 550b turn in the passageway 506b. The particulate collection location 530b in
The passageway 506c of the lateral flow injection feature 500c may include a guide wall 508c oriented at a selected angle α1 configured to direct airflow 592 in about a lateral direction X1 to generate a cross flow 590a. In the example illustrated in
The passageway 506d of the lateral flow injection feature 500d may include a guide wall 508d oriented at a selected angle α1 configured to direct airflow 592 in about a lateral direction X1 to generate a cross flow 590a. In the example illustrated in
A particulate collection location 530d may be located opposite the inlet 502d and proximate a particulate separation 550d turn in the passageway 506d. The particulate collection location 530d in
It is understood that the configurations of lateral flow injection feature 500a-d are shown in
Referring now to
Advantageously, the first fairing 700 and the second fairing 800 reduce flow separation that occurs as the airflow 590 wraps around the cowl 380. Further, the first fairing 700 and the second fairing 800 help orient airflow 590 in the airflow path D parallel to the outer surface 620 of the combustion liner 600. When airflow 590 is expanding over a 7° half-angle it has a larger adverse pressure gradient and wants to separate. The addition of a second fairing 800 helps to allow the airflow 590 to expand over a shorter distance without separation.
It is understood that a combustor of a gas turbine engine is used for illustrative purposes and the embodiments disclosed herein may be applicable to additional components of other than a combustor of a gas turbine engine, such as, for example, a first component and a second component defining a cooling channel therebetween. The first component may have cooling holes similar to the primary orifices. The cooling holes may direct air through the cooling channel to impinge upon the second component.
Technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure include incorporating lateral flow injection feature into a combustion liner to introduce lateral airflow across a heat shield panel surrounding a combustion area of a combustion chamber to help reduce collection of particulates on the heat shield panel and also help to reduce entry of the particulate into the combustion area.
The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” can include a non-limiting range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/616,924 filed Jan. 12, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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