The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for washing engines, and more particularly to systems and methods of washing gas turbine engines having radial passages at or near an engine inlet.
Through use, gas turbine engines become subject to buildup of contaminants on engine components. These contaminants can affect engine components and overall performance of the engine. Engine washing can help to remove these contaminants and improve engine performance and efficiency.
Conventional washing can be done by connecting a manifold to an inlet of the engine, and introducing a fluid to the inlet of the engine. Typically, during a wash, the engine is cranked and the airflow from the fan carries the wash fluid through the various sections of the engine, including the compressor. Thus, the wash fluid removes contaminants as it flows through the engine.
In one aspect of the present invention, an engine wash manifold assembly for delivering wash liquid to an engine with a radial air passage includes a feeder body, an inlet on the feeder body to receive wash fluid, a first nozzle in fluid communication with the feeder body and configured to direct wash fluid into the radial passage, and a securing device configured to support the feeder body relative to a mounting location.
The present summary is provided only by way of example, and not limitation. Other aspects of the present disclosure will be appreciated in view of the entirety of the present disclosure, including the entire text, claims and accompanying figures.
While the above-identified drawing figures set forth embodiments of the invention, other embodiments are also contemplated. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of the invention. The figures may not be drawn to scale, and applications and embodiments of the present invention may include features and components not specifically shown in the drawings.
A first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with respect to
Turboprop engine 12 is illustrated in
Manifold 10 is shaped to hold nozzles securely in place for an engine 12 wash operation, and to provide delivery of wash fluid at relatively high pressures (e.g., 200-1000 psi [1.379-6.895 megapascal] or more). Manifold 10 can be made of metal, such as stainless steel and coated in part or in whole with a polymer type coating to prevent scratching or marring of surfaces when attaching manifold 10 to engine 12. Manifold 10 connects to inlet screen 14 to suitably direct wash fluid into inlet ducts 16 to clean contaminants within compressor and other components of engine 12. The process of delivering a wash fluid is highly complex, and can involve precise positioning of manifold 10 relative to engine 12 to provide, for instance, wash fluid atomization and dispersion and entrainment in intake airflows, in order to help promote effectively delivery of the wash fluid such that, for instance, an entire span of internal engine airfoils are wetted and cleaned. Effective positioning and fluid pressure are particularly important in helping to regulate droplet (or particle) size of the wash fluid, as small dimensions tend to cause the wash fluid to undesirably undergo a phase change and large dimensions cause centrifugal action in engine 12 to more outward without desired dispersion.
Washing liquid is typically atomized prior to entering a compressor of engine 12 for enhanced penetration into the compressor. Once inside the compressor the atomized droplets generally collide with gas path components such as rotor blades and stator vanes. The impingement of the droplets results in surface wetting and, when at least when the wash fluid include a liquid, in establishing of a liquid film. The deposited particles on the gas path components are released by mechanical and/or chemical action of the wash fluid. Wash fluid penetration into the compressor is further enhanced by allowing the rotor shaft to rotate during washing. This can be done by letting the engine's starter motor turn the rotor whereby air is driven through the engine carrying the wash fluid from the compressor inlet towards the outlet. The cleaning effect can be further enhanced by the rotation of the rotor as the wetting of the blades creates a film which will be subject to motion forces such as centrifugal forces during washing.
Manifold 10 includes feeder body 18, inlet 20 with inlet cap 22, seal 23, securing devices 24, nozzles 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d (collectively, nozzles 26), centering feature 28, and forward orienting feature 30. In the embodiment shown, securing devices 24 are first and second clamps 24a, 24b each include first clamping member 32 with tabs 34, second clamping member 36 with tabs 38, spring 40, clamp bracket 42, screw 44, washer 46 and nut 48.
Feeder body 18 is shaped to correspond with at least a portion of inlet screen 14. In the embodiment shown, feeder body 18 is configured as an arcuate pipe and is about 14 inches (0.3556 m) in length with a screen diameter of about 19 inches (0.4826 m). Other embodiments can have different shapes and/or dimensions.
Nozzles 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d are positioned on and fluidically connected with feeder body 18 so that they direct wash fluid into engine 12 inlet ducts 16 when manifold 10 is secured relative to engine 12. Nozzles 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d can be any type of nozzle desired for the specific engine washing operation. Nozzles 26a, 26b, 26c and 26c can atomize wash liquid and can vary to direct water at different pressures, droplet sizes, temperatures and flow rates. Examples of suitable wash liquid delivery parameters, for a water-only wash fluid embodiment, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,860, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Examples of other wash fluid parameters suitable for various embodiments are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,497,220; 8,197,609; 8,479,754 and 8,524,010, which are further incorporated herein by reference.
Inlet 20 can be positioned at any desired position on feeder body 18 to receive wash fluid into feeder body 18. Inlet 20 can be a quick-connect coupling and can include inlet cap 22 for covering inlet when manifold 10 is not in use. Alignment feature 28 can be a sticker or other marking on feeder body 18 to help circumferentially align manifold 10 properly when securing to engine 12. Cleaning efficacy can be enhanced by using alignment feature to position nozzles 20 in desired locations. Similarly, forward orienting feature 30 can be a sticker, painting or other marking to indicate which side of manifold 10 faces axially forward with respect to the engine 12 and inlet screen 14.
First and second clamps 24a, 24b are shown as spring-loaded clamps which engage engine 12 inlet screen 14 secure manifold to engine 12 radially and axially. First and second clamps 24a, 24b secure to feeder body 18 with brackets 42, screw 44, washer 46 and nut 48. On each clamp 24a, 24b, spring 40 biases first clamping member 32 from second clamping member 36. First clamping member 32 includes tabs 34 which extend radially inward from first clamping member as well as axially forward. Second clamping member 36 includes tabs 38 which extend radially inward from second clamping member 36.
As shown in
To wash engine 12, manifold 10 is secured to inlet screen 14 in engine 12 as shown in
Wash liquid travels through feeder body 18 to nozzles 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d. Nozzles 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d direct the wash liquid into inlet ducts 16 to remove contaminants and buildup in engine 12. During a wash operation, engine can be cranked to assist in flowing wash liquid through engine 12 in the same manner that air and contaminants flow through engine 12. For washing operations, it may be desirable to motor engine 12 with a starter or auxiliary power unit (not shown).
As mentioned above, many engines are washed by connecting a manifold to an inlet near the fan and spraying wash fluid into the engine inlet. Due to the architecture of certain engines, like typical turboprop engines, use of prior art manifolds that connect to the engine inlet cowling to axially direct wash fluid are not possible. Thus for cleaning of engines with radial passageways, due to the unique architecture and the use of inlet screen 14, some aircraft have integrated wash components. Integrated components add weight to an associated aircraft and therefore additional fuel expense for a component that is not necessary during flight. Other washing is done by simply using a hose to try to spray into different sections of the engine, but such use of a hose is usually at relatively low pressures and without consistent positioning, which may not provide desired cleaning efficacy. Other washing is also done by using a tube formed to fit the inlet screen, the tube of which contains drilled holes to inject streams of wash fluid inward at relatively low pressures (below 100 psi). This method does not atomize or control droplet size and thus does not provide desired cleaning efficacy. However, the present invention improvise upon such other washing.
Manifold 10 can effectively wash turboprop engine 12 by being able to attach quickly, easily and securely to engine 12 inlet screen 14, allowing for the delivery of high-pressure wash fluid through nozzles 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d. The unique design of manifold 10 with feeder body 18 and clamps 24a, 24b allow nozzles 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d to deliver wash liquid into inlet ducts 16 to clean compressor, turbine and other engine 12 components, resulting in improved penetration of the engine core gas path over past engine cleaning systems, particularly for engines having radial passageways at or near an inlet. Feeder body 18 can be specifically shaped and sized to follow the unique curvature of inlet screen 14, and clamps 24a, 24b provide for a secure and quick engagement and release. A manifold which has a quick engagement and release allows for a quicker engine wash, making the aircraft available for use sooner.
By using manifold 10 to effectively washing wash engine 12, engine 12 can have an overall increased performance by decreasing engine temperature, reducing fuel consumption, increasing engine power and improving overall engine efficiency and extending the time until the engine needs to be overhauled. A clean engine 12 can also result in fewer harmful engine 12 emissions by reducing fuel consumption while restoring efficiency, overall performance and increasing life of engine 12.
In some embodiments, pipe 76 can optionally by used as a securing device extending into the engine 12, and can be secured with straps, hooks (on a cord),cable ties, or other suitable attachment mechanisms (not shown) that connect to inlet screen 14. Pipe 76 can also be held manually, without any attachment mechanisms, to position or secure manifold 10 with respect to engine 12.
Attachment mechanisms 79 (e.g., eyelets) can be provided at opposite ends of the feeder body 18, and can be used to secure attachment memembers (e.g., straps and the like), as desired. Further explanation of similar mechanisms is provided below with respect to the discussion of
Bracket 84 connects directly or indirectly to feeder body 18, and engagement hook 82 is inserted into openings in inlet screen 14. Knob 86 and nut 88 tighten to move engagement hook 82 relative to screen 18 (e.g., in a generally circumferential or tangential direction) to hold engagement member 82 (via a positively-engaged hooking action), securing manifold 10 to inlet screen 14 to inject wash fluid into radial air inlet ducts 16 of engine 12 through nozzles 26. Manifold 10 also includes rest pads 78, which rest against inlet screen 14.
Reference to a PT6 engine 12 in the descriptions above is for example purposes only, and engine wash manifold 10 and can be used with other aircrafts and/or engines. The dimensions and shape of manifold 10 are for example purposes only and can vary according to engine requirements. The number and placement of nozzles 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d (collectively, nozzles 26) on manifold 10 can also vary according to engine architecture and requirements.
Appendix A includes additional figures illustrating various embodiments of the present invention.
Any relative terms or terms of degree used herein, such as “substantially”, “essentially”, “generally” and the like, should be interpreted in accordance with and subject to any applicable definitions or limits expressly stated herein. In all instances, any relative terms or terms of degree used herein should be interpreted to broadly encompass any relevant disclosed embodiments as well as such ranges or variations as would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art in view of the entirety of the present disclosure, such as to encompass ordinary manufacturing tolerance variations, incidental alignment variations, temporary alignment or shape variations induced by operational conditions, and the like. Moreover, the term “engine” or “engine assembly” should be interpreted to include the engine itself and closely associated structures, such as engine mounting members and the like.
While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary 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 invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the entire disclosure. For instance, features and structures (e.g., wash fluid compositions, pressures, droplet sizes, etc.) disclosed with respect to one embodiment can be utilized with respect to another embodiment as desired and as suitable for particular applications.
This application claims priority to “Radial Passage Engine Wash Manifold,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/889,373, filed Oct. 10, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61889373 | Oct 2013 | US |