Patent Application
20200291855
The present disclosure generally relates to gas turbine engines, and more particularly relates to systems and methods for a dry fog inlet particle separator for a gas turbine engine.
Gas turbine engines may be employed to power various devices. For example, a gas turbine engine may be employed to power a vehicle, such as an aircraft. In the example of the gas turbine engine powering a mobile platform, during the operation of the gas turbine engine, air from the atmosphere is pulled into the gas turbine engine and used to generate energy to propel the vehicle. In certain operating environments, such as desert operating environments, the air in the atmosphere may contain fine sand and dust particles, which may be less than about 10 micrometers in size. Due to the small particle size of the fine sand and dust particles, these particles tend to follow the airflow through the gas turbine engine, and may be ingested by the turbine. The ingestion of the fine sand and dust particles may accumulate in cooling circuits associated with the turbine, which may reduce a cooling effectiveness of the turbine.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an inlet particle separator, which separates fine sand and dust particles from the air from the atmosphere that is drawn into the gas turbine engine. In this regard, it is desirable to provide a dry fog inlet particle separator, in which dry fog is used to separate the fine sand and dust particles from the air that is drawn into the gas turbine engine, thereby reducing an amount of fine sand and dust particles ingested by the gas turbine engine. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.
According to various embodiments, provided is an inlet particle separator system for a gas turbine engine. The inlet particle separator system includes a separator manifold. The separator manifold includes a manifold inlet upstream from a manifold outlet. The manifold inlet is configured to receive an incoming airflow, and the manifold outlet is configured to be fluidly coupled to an inlet of the gas turbine engine to direct the incoming airflow into the inlet. The inlet particle separator system includes at least one dry fog nozzle coupled proximate the manifold inlet so as to face at least partially away from the manifold inlet. The at least one dry fog nozzle is external to the separator manifold, and the at least one dry fog nozzle is configured to direct a spray of dry fog in a direction transverse to the incoming airflow to agglomerate with fine particles in the incoming airflow to form agglomerated particles. The inlet particle separator system includes a scavenging system coupled to the separator manifold downstream from the manifold inlet, and the scavenging system removes the agglomerated particles from the separator manifold.
A bellmouth is defined at the manifold inlet. The separator manifold includes a second manifold outlet, and the second manifold outlet is downstream from the manifold outlet and separated from the manifold outlet by a splitter. The scavenging system is fluidly coupled to the second manifold outlet and is configured to exhaust the agglomerated particles through the second manifold outlet. The separator manifold defines a tortuous path between the manifold inlet and the manifold outlet. The inlet particle separator system further includes at least one sealing member coupled to the separator manifold proximate the manifold outlet that is configured to form a seal against the inlet of the gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine is associated with a vehicle and the separator manifold is removably coupled to the inlet of the gas turbine engine. The inlet particle separator system further includes a pressurized water supply fluidly coupled to the at least one dry fog nozzle and a pressurized air supply fluidly coupled to the at least one dry fog nozzle. The gas turbine engine is associated with a vehicle, the pressurized water supply and the pressurized air supply are a ground-based system, and the at least one dry fog nozzle, the separator manifold and the scavenging system are a vehicle-based system onboard the vehicle. The gas turbine engine is associated with a vehicle, and the pressurized water supply, the pressurized air supply, the at least one dry fog nozzle, the separator manifold and the scavenging system are a vehicle-based system onboard the vehicle.
Also provided according to various embodiments is a method of providing a clean airflow to an inlet of a gas turbine engine. The method includes fluidly coupling a separator manifold including at least one dry fog nozzle to an inlet duct of a vehicle such that a manifold outlet of the separator manifold is fluidly coupled to the inlet duct, with the at least one dry fog nozzle positioned external to a manifold inlet of the manifold and the manifold inlet upstream from the manifold outlet. The method includes outputting a spray of dry fog by the at least one dry fog nozzle in a direction transverse to an incoming airflow into the manifold inlet to agglomerate with fine particles in the airflow to form agglomerated particles, and separating the agglomerated particles from the incoming airflow. The method includes exhausting the agglomerated particles though a second manifold outlet with a scavenging system.
The method of further includes fluidly coupling a pressurized water supply to the at least one dry fog nozzle to supply the at least one dry fog nozzle with pressurized water; and fluidly coupling a pressurized air supply to the at least one dry fog nozzle to supply the at least one dry fog nozzle with pressurized air, with the at least one dry fog nozzle outputting the spray of dry fog based on the receipt of the pressurized water and the pressurized air. The separating the agglomerated particles from the airflow further includes: separating the agglomerated particles from the airflow with a tortuous path defined between the manifold inlet and the manifold outlet. The method further includes increasing a velocity of the airflow through the manifold inlet by a bellmouth defined at the manifold inlet.
Further provided is an inlet particle separator system for a gas turbine engine. The inlet particle separator system includes a separator manifold. The separator manifold includes a manifold inlet upstream from a manifold outlet. The manifold inlet is configured to receive an incoming airflow, and the manifold outlet is configured to be fluidly coupled to an inlet of the gas turbine engine to direct the incoming airflow into the inlet. The separator manifold defines a tortuous path from the manifold inlet to the manifold outlet. The inlet particle separator system includes at least one dry fog nozzle coupled proximate the manifold inlet so as to face at least partially away from the manifold inlet. The at least one dry fog nozzle is external to the separator manifold, and the at least one dry fog nozzle is configured to direct a spray of dry fog in a direction transverse to the incoming airflow to agglomerate with fine particles in the incoming airflow to form agglomerated particles. The inlet particle separator system includes a scavenging system coupled to the separator manifold downstream from the manifold inlet, and the scavenging system removes the agglomerated particles from the separator manifold.
The separator manifold includes a second manifold outlet. The second manifold outlet is downstream from the manifold outlet and separated from the manifold outlet by a splitter. The scavenging system is fluidly coupled to the second manifold outlet and is configured to exhaust the agglomerated particles through the second manifold outlet. A bellmouth is defined at the manifold inlet. The inlet particle separator system further includes a pressurized water supply fluidly coupled to the at least one dry fog nozzle and a pressurized air supply fluidly coupled to the at least one dry fog nozzle. The gas turbine engine is associated with a vehicle. The pressurized water supply and the pressurized air supply are a ground-based system, and the at least one dry fog nozzle, the separator manifold and the scavenging system are a vehicle-based system onboard the vehicle. The gas turbine engine is associated with a vehicle and the separator manifold is removably coupled to the inlet of the gas turbine engine.
The exemplary embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with any type of internal combustion engine that would benefit from having an inlet particle separator that reduces the ingestion of fine sand and dust particles, and the dry fog inlet particle separator system described herein for a gas turbine engine is merely one exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure. In addition, while the dry fog inlet particle separator system is described herein as being used with a gas turbine engine onboard a vehicle, such as a bus, motorcycle, train, motor vehicle, marine vessel, aircraft, rotorcraft and the like, the various teachings of the present disclosure can be used with a gas turbine engine on a stationary platform. Further, it should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, while the figures shown herein depict an example with certain arrangements of elements, additional intervening elements, devices, features, or components may be present in an actual embodiment. It should also be understood that the drawings are merely illustrative and may not be drawn to scale.
As used herein, the term “axial” refers to a direction that is generally parallel to or coincident with an axis of rotation, axis of symmetry, or centerline of a component or components. For example, in a cylinder or disc with a centerline and generally circular ends or opposing faces, the “axial” direction may refer to the direction that generally extends in parallel to the centerline between the opposite ends or faces. In certain instances, the term “axial” may be utilized with respect to components that are not cylindrical (or otherwise radially symmetric). For example, the “axial” direction for a rectangular housing containing a rotating shaft may be viewed as a direction that is generally parallel to or coincident with the rotational axis of the shaft. Furthermore, the term “radially” as used herein may refer to a direction or a relationship of components with respect to a line extending outward from a shared centerline, axis, or similar reference, for example in a plane of a cylinder or disc that is perpendicular to the centerline or axis. In certain instances, components may be viewed as “radially” aligned even though one or both of the components may not be cylindrical (or otherwise radially symmetric). Furthermore, the terms “axial” and “radial” (and any derivatives) may encompass directional relationships that are other than precisely aligned with (e.g., oblique to) the true axial and radial dimensions, provided the relationship is predominately in the respective nominal axial or radial direction. As used herein, the term “transverse” denotes an axis that crosses another axis at an angle such that the axis and the other axis are neither substantially perpendicular nor substantially parallel.
With reference to
In one example, with reference to
The compressor section 18 includes a compressor 34, which is coupled to the shaft 32. However, in other embodiments, the number of compressors in the compressor section 18 may vary. In the depicted embodiment, the rotation of the shaft 32 drives the compressor 34, which draws in air from the inlet duct 26 of the intake section 16. The compressor 34 raises the pressure of the air and directs majority of the high pressure air into the combustor section 20.
The combustor section 20 includes an annular combustor 20a, which receives the compressed air from the compressor, and also receives a flow of fuel from a non-illustrated fuel source via a fuel metering valve (not shown). The fuel and compressed air are mixed within the combustor, and are combusted to produce relatively high-energy combustion gas. The relatively high-energy combustion gas that is generated in the combustor is supplied to the turbine section 22.
The turbine section 22 includes a turbine 22a. However, it will be appreciated that the number of turbines, and/or the configurations thereof, may vary. In this embodiment, the high-energy combustion gas from the combustor section 20 expands through and rotates the turbine 22a of the turbine section 22. The air is then exhausted through the exhaust section 24. As the turbine rotates, it drives equipment coupled to the gas turbine engine 12 via a shaft or spool. As will be discussed, the dry fog inlet particle separator system 10 separates fine sand and dust particles, generally indicated by reference numeral 36, from the air provided by the source 30 such that the airflow entering the inlet duct 26 is substantially devoid of the fine sand and dust particles. In this example, the dry fog inlet particle separator system 10 is capable of removing fine particles having a particle size of 10 micrometers or less from the air provided by the source 30. Thus, as used herein, “fine particle” denotes a particle of fine sand, dust or other debris having an average particle size of 10 micrometers or less. By removing the fine particles from the air provided by the source 30, the fine particles are not ingested by the compressor 34 of the compressor section 18, which prolongs the operating life of the compressor 34, combustor 20a and turbine 22a; and reduces downtime of the gas turbine engine 12 associated with the repair and/or replacement of the compressor 34, combustor 20a and turbine 22a. Further, the removal of the fine particles from the air provided by the source 30 also reduces or inhibits the accumulation of the fine particles within the cooling circuits associated with the turbine 22a.
In one example, with reference back to
The pressurized air supply 40 provides compressed air to the dry fog nozzle 44 via at least one conduit 48 fluidly coupled between the pressurized air supply 40 and the dry fog nozzle 44. In one example, the pressurized air supply 40 is supplied by a compressor fluidly coupled to the dry fog nozzle 44, which draws in air from the atmosphere or air external to the vehicle 14, and pressurizes the air for use by the dry fog nozzle 44. In other embodiments, the pressurized air supply 40 is a tank of compressed air, which is fluidly coupled to the dry fog nozzle 44. The pressurized air supply 40 is fluidly coupled to the dry fog nozzle 44 to provide pressurized air at about 30 pounds per square inch (psi) to about 100 pounds per square inch (psi). The conduit 48, includes, but is not limited to, pipes, flexible pneumatic hoses, etc. The conduit 48 may include one more quick disconnect couplings or other fittings to fluidly couple the conduit 48 to the dry fog nozzle 44.
The pressurized water supply 42 provides pressurized water to the dry fog nozzle 44 via at least one conduit 50 fluidly coupled between the pressurized water supply 42 and the dry fog nozzle 44. In one example, the pressurized water supply 42 includes a pump fluidly coupled to the dry fog nozzle 44, which draws in water from an associated water tank, and pressurizes the water for use by the dry fog nozzle 44. In other embodiments, the pressurized water supply 42 is a pressure tank that holds water under pressure, which is fluidly coupled to the dry fog nozzle 44. The pressurized water supply 42 is fluidly coupled to the dry fog nozzle 44 to provide pressurized water at about 30 pounds per square inch (psi) to about 50 pounds per square inch (psi). The conduit 50, includes, but is not limited to, pipes, flexible hoses, etc. The conduit 50 may include one more quick disconnect couplings or other fittings to fluidly couple the conduit 50 to the dry fog nozzle 44.
The dry fog nozzle 44 is in fluid communication with the pressurized air supply 40 and the pressurized water supply 42 to receive the pressurized air and pressurized water, respectively. Based on the receipt of the pressurized air and the pressurized water, the dry fog nozzle 44 generates a spray of dry fog 56, which agglomerates to the fine particles to create agglomerated particles that are separated out by the separator system 46 such that a substantially clean airflow 55 (
Generally, the spray of dry fog 56 is output by the dry fog nozzle 44 so as to substantially cover the inlet 52 of the separator system 46, but is not directed into or at a manifold inlet or an inlet 52 of the separator system 46 to reduce or eliminate the entry of dry fog into the inlet 52 and/or the gas turbine engine 12. Thus, generally, the dry fog nozzle 44 faces away from the inlet 52 and the separator system 46. The spray of dry fog 56 output by the dry fog nozzle 44 substantially covers the inlet 52 where the air velocity of the airflow 54 is low. By facing the dry fog nozzle 44 away from the inlet 52, the dry fog is sprayed into the lower velocity airflow 54, which ensures good coverage of the dry fog across the plane of the inlet 52. If the dry fog was sprayed downstream of the inlet 52, for example, within a separator manifold 72 associated with the separator system 46, the accelerated velocity of the air within the separator system 46 would not let the spray of dry fog 56 penetrate across the separator manifold 72, but rather, the dry fog would remain near the wall of the separator manifold 72, thereby substantially reducing the agglomeration of fine particles. Generally, the agglomeration of the fine particles is maximized when the spray of dry fog 56 is output by the dry fog nozzle 44 just proximate the inlet 52.
In one example, the dry fog nozzle 44 is coupled proximate the inlet 52 of the separator system 46. Generally, the dry fog nozzle 44 is coupled proximate the inlet 52 so as to be disposed externally of the inlet 52. Stated another way, the dry fog nozzle 44 is upstream from the inlet 52 in the direction of the airflow 54 from the source 30 into the inlet 52. The dry fog nozzle 44 is located just upstream of the inlet 52, however, it should be noted that the dry fog nozzle 44 may be located anywhere around the edges of inlet 52 so as to be upstream of the inlet 52. With reference to
As the airflow 54 encounters the dry fog created by the spray of dry fog 56 output by the dry fog nozzle 44, with reference to
With reference back to
With reference to
Generally, the two sealing members 74 create a seal between the separator manifold 72 and the inlet door 28. In one example, the sealing members 74 are composed of a polymer-based material, such as a rubber, silicone, etc., and may be molded, extruded, etc. With reference back to
With reference to
In one example, with reference to
The method begins at 602. At block 604, in order to employ the dry fog inlet particle separator system 10 to provide clean airflow 55 to the gas turbine engine 12, with the separator manifold 72 formed, the sealing members 74a, 74b are coupled to the separator manifold 72 (
At 612, the gas turbine engine 12 may be started, by an operator through a controller associated with the gas turbine engine 12 for example, which causes the gas turbine engine 12, via the compressor 34 of the compressor section 18 to draw the airflow 54 into the separator manifold 72. As the airflow 54 flows through the spray of dry fog 56 output by the dry fog nozzle 44, the fine particles 36 impact and agglomerate with the dry fog droplets 68 (
It should be noted that in other embodiments, the dry fog inlet particle separator system 10 may be configured differently to provide clean airflow for the gas turbine engine 12. For example, with reference to
In the example of
It should be noted that in still other embodiments, the dry fog inlet particle separator system 10 may be configured differently to provide clean airflow for the gas turbine engine 12. For example, with reference to
In the example of
Thus, with reference to
In this document, relational terms such as first and second, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Numerical ordinals such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. simply denote different singles of a plurality and do not imply any order or sequence unless specifically defined by the claim language. The sequence of the text in any of the claims does not imply that process steps must be performed in a temporal or logical order according to such sequence unless it is specifically defined by the language of the claim. The process steps may be interchanged in any order without departing from the scope of the invention as long as such an interchange does not contradict the claim language and is not logically nonsensical.
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.
