Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FASTBACK VORTICOR PIN
BACKGROUND
100021 The technology described herein relates generally to heat transfer in
gas turbine
engines and more particularly to apparatus for cooling structures in such
engines.
100031 A gas turbine engine includes a turbomachinery core having a high
pressure
compressor, combustor, and high pressure turbine ("HPT") in serial flow
relationship.
The core is operable in a known manner to generate a primary gas flow. The
high
pressure turbine includes annular arrays ("rows") of stationary vanes or
nozzles that
direct the gases exiting the combustor into rotating blades or buckets.
Collectively one
row of nozzles and one row of blades make up a "stage". Typically two or more
stages
are used in serial flow relationship. The combustor and HPT components operate
in an
extremely high temperature environment, and must be cooled by air flow to
ensure
adequate service life.
100041 Cooling air flow is typically provided by utilizing relatively lower-
temperature
"bleed" air extracted from an upstream part of the engine, for example the
high pressure
compressor, and then feeding that bleed air to high-temperature downstream
components.
The bleed air may be utilized in numerous ways, for example through internal
convection
cooling or through film cooling or both. Preexisting usage of bleed air and
other cooling
air flows the air over rib rougheners, trip strips, and pin fins. When used
for convection
cooling, the bleed air is often routed through serpentine passages or other
structures
according to an overall source-to-sink pressure difference, which generates
fluid velocity
distributions and associated heat transfer coefficient distributions as the
cooling air passes
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through them. Because bleed air represents a loss to the engine cycle and
reduces
efficiency, it is desired to maximize heat transfer rates and thereby use the
minimum
amount of cooling flow possible. For this reason heat transfer improvement
structures,
such as pin fins or turbulators may be employed as integral portions of the
cooled interior
component surfaces.
[0005] Conventional turbulators are elongated strips or ribs having a
generally square,
rectangular, or other symmetric cross-section, and are generally aligned
transverse to the
average bulk direction of flow in a channel or near the surface. The
turbulators serve to
periodically "trip" the boundary layer across the entire width of a flow
passage at the
component interior surface and thereby enhance mixing of the near wall and
bulk flows,
promote flow turbulence, and increase surface heat transfer coefficients.
Cooling
effectiveness may thereby be increased. One problem with the use of
conventional
turbulators is that a flow recirculation zone is present downstream of each
turbulator.
This zone causes particulates entrained in the cooling air to be circulated,
further interact
with surfaces or deposit, and build up behind the turbulator. This build-up
results in an
insulating layer which reduces heat transfer rates to the cooling flow by
increasing
thermal resistance.
[0006] In lieu of turbulators or in addition thereto, a conventional pin fin
has a generally
symmetric shape of constant cross section with height, such as round,
elliptic, or square,
and results in a stagnation region at its leading face and a flow separation
and
recirculation region, or wake, aft of the feature. The wake region in
particular can be
relatively large, serving to churn the flow, but also to collect particulates
within the
recirculation zones. Consequently, there is a need for a cooling promoting
device that
does not necessarily span an entire widthwise dimension of a flow passage, but
at the
same time promotes turbulent flow without the adverse effects of wakes caused
by
conventional pin fins.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0007] A structure for disrupting the flow of a fluid, the structure
comprising: (a) a first
lateral wall and a second lateral wall spaced apart from one another, yet
joined, by a floor
and a ceiling; and, (b) a vorticor pin extending incompletely between the
first lateral wall
and the second lateral wall in a direction parallel to an X-axis, the vorticor
pin
concurrently rising above and extending away from the floor to a height less
than a
maximum height of either the first lateral wall or the second lateral wall,
the vorticor pin
comprising: (i) a front surface extending incompletely between the first
lateral wall and
the second lateral wall, the front surface extending above the floor and being
angled with
respect to a Y-axis extending perpendicularly from the floor, where the X-axis
is
perpendicular to the Y-axis, and where an arcuate portion of the front surface
extends in a
X-Z plane, and (ii) a rear surface extending incompletely between the first
lateral wall
and the second lateral wall, the rear surface extending between the front
surface and the
floor, the rear surface having an inclining section that is angled between
zero and forty-
five degrees with respect to a Z-axis being perpendicular to the Y-axis and
perpendicular
to the X-axis, a first portion of the inclining section is spaced apart from
the floor a first
distance parallel to the Y-axis, a second portion of the inclining section
being spaced
apart from the floor a second distance parallel to the Y-axis, where the
vorticor pin has a
median width dimension parallel to the X-axis that is less than a median
length dimension
parallel to the Z-axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The disclosure may be best understood by reference to the following
description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a high pressure turbine section of
a gas turbine
engine.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art blade showing cooling
channels.
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[0011] FIG. 3 is a prior art overhead view of a plurality of conventional
cylindrical pin
fins.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a prior art overhead view of a plurality of conventional
oblong pin fins.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a top view of a first exemplary embodiment of a vorticor pin.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a profile view of the first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5.
[0016] FIG. 8 is an elevated perspective view from the front left of the first
exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 5.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a top view a series of the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 5
distributed
within a cooling channel.
[0018] FIG. 10 is an elevated perspective view from the front left of the
series of the
exemplary embodiments shown in FIG. 9.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a top view of a second exemplary embodiment of a vorticor
pin.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a front view of the second exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a first cross-sectional view of the second exemplary
embodiment of
FIG. 11 taken along line 13-13.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a second cross-sectional view of the second exemplary
embodiment of
FIG. 11 taken along line 14-14.
[0023] FIG. 15 is an elevated perspective view from the front left of the
second
exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11.
[0024] FIG. 16 is a top view a ,eries of the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 11
distributed within a cooling channel.
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[0025] FIG. 17 is an elevated perspective view from the front left of the
series of the
exemplary embodiments shown in FIG. 16.
[0026] FIG. 18 is a top view of a third exemplary embodiments of a vorticor
pin.
[0027] FIG. 19 is a front view of the third exemplary embodiment of FIG. 18.
[0028] FIG. 20 is a profile view of the third exemplary embodiment of FIG. 18.
[0029] FIG. 21 is an elevated perspective view from the front left of the
third exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 18.
[0030] FIG. 22 is a top view a series of the third exemplary embodiments of
FIG. 18
distributed within a cooling channel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The exemplary embodiments are described and illustrated below to
encompass
methods and devices for maintaining and promoting non-laminar flow of fluids.
Of
course, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the
embodiments
discussed below are exemplary in nature and may be reconfigured without
departing from
the scope of the present disclosure. However, for clarity and precision, the
exemplary
embodiments as discussed below may include optional steps, methods, and
features that
one of ordinary skill should recognize as not being a requisite to fall within
the scope of
the present disclosure.
[0032] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided a structure
for disrupting the flow of a fluid, the structure comprising: (a) a first
lateral wall and a
second lateral wall spaced apart from one another, yet joined, by a floor and
a ceiling;
and, (b) a vorticor pin extending incompletely between the first lateral wall
and the
second lateral wall in a direction parallel to an X-axis, the vorticor pin
concurrently rising
above and extending away from the floor to a height less than a maximum height
of
either the first lateral wall or the second lateral wall, the vorticor pin
comprising: (i) a
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front surface extending between the first lateral wall and the second lateral
wall, the front
surface extending above the floor and being angled with respect to a Y-axis
extending
perpendicularly from the floor, where the X-axis is perpendicular to the Y-
axis, and
where an arcuate portion of the front surface extends in a X-Z plane, and (ii)
a rear
surface extending between the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall,
the rear
surface extending between the front surface and the floor, the rear surface
having an
inclining section that is angled between zero and forty-five degrees with
respect to a Z-
axis being perpendicular to the Y-axis and perpendicular to the X-axis, a
first portion of
the inclining section is spaced apart from the floor a first distance parallel
to the Y-axis, a
second portion of the inclining section being spaced apart from the floor a
second
distance parallel to the Y-axis.
[0033] In another feature of the first aspect, the vorticor pin has a median
width
dimension parallel to the X-axis that is less than a median length dimension
parallel to the
Z-axis. In yet another feature of the first aspect, the vorticor pin further
includes
opposing side surfaces that are parallel to one another and extend between the
front
surface and the rear surface. In a further feature of the first aspect, the
vorticor pin
further includes opposing side surfaces that are tapered and extend between
the front
surface and the rear surface. In still a further feature of the first aspect,
the opposing side
surfaces are angled less than one hundred thirty degrees with respect to one
another. In
yet a further feature of the first aspect, the opposing side surfaces, the
rear surface, and
the floor converge at a point. In an additional feature of the first aspect,
the vorticor pin
includes opposing side surfaces having a second arcuate portion extending in
the X-Z
plane. In yet another additional feature of the first aspect, the vorticor pin
includes
opposing side surfaces having a second arcuate portion extending in an X-Y
plane. In
still another feature of the first aspect, the arcuate portion has a circular
curvature. In still
an even further feature of the first aspect, the front surface has a uniform
profile
extending in a direction parallel to the Y-axis.
[0034] In another feature of the first aspect, the rear surface has an arcuate
profile
extending in a Y-Z plane. In yet =:nother feature of the first aspect, the
arcuate portion
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has a spherical curvature. In a further feature of the first aspect, the
arcuate portion is
angled less than fifty degrees with respect to the Y-axis. In still a further
feature of the
first aspect, the front surface circumscribes the rear surface.
[0035] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided a
structure for disrupting the flow of a fluid, the structure comprising: (a) a
first lateral wall
and a second lateral wall spaced apart from one another, yet joined, by a
floor and a
ceiling; and, (b) a vorticor pin extending incompletely between the first
lateral wall and
the second lateral wall in a direction parallel to an X-axis, the vorticor pin
concurrently
rising above and extending away from the floor to a height, in a direction
parallel to a Y-
axis, to provide a gap between the vorticor pin and the ceiling, the vorticor
pin
comprising: (i) a front surface extending incompletely between the first
lateral wall and
the second lateral wall, the front surface extending above the floor and
having an arcuate
portion that is transverse with respect to a Z-axis, which is perpendicular to
the X-axis
and the Y-axis, and (ii) a rear surface extending between the first lateral
wall and the
second lateral wall, the rear surface extending between the front surface and
the floor, the
rear surface having an inclining section that tapers in height, taken parallel
to the Y-axis,
in a direction parallel to the Z-axis.
[0036] In another feature of the second aspect, the vorticor pin has a median
width
dimension parallel to the X-axis that is less than a median length dimension
parallel to the
Z-axis. In yet another feature of the second aspect, the vorticor pin further
includes
opposing side surfaces that are parallel to one another and extend between the
front
surface and the rear surface. In a further feature of the second aspect, the
vorticor pin
further includes opposing side surfaces that are tapered and extend between
the front
surface and the rear surface. In still a further feature of the second aspect,
the opposing
side surfaces are angled less than one hundred thirty degrees with respect to
one another.
In yet a further feature of the second aspect, the opposing side surfaces, the
rear surface,
and the floor converge at a point. In an additional feature of the second
aspect, the
vorticor pin includes opposing side surfaces having a second arcuate portion
extending in
the X-Z plane. In yet another additional feature of the second aspect, the
vorticor pin
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includes opposing side surfaces having a second arcuate portion extending in
an X-Y
plane. In still another feature of the second aspect, the arcuate portion has
a circular
curvature. In still an even further feature of the second aspect, the front
surface has a
uniform profile extending in a direction parallel to the Y-axis.
[0037] In another feature of the second aspect, the rear surface has an
arcuate profile
extending in a Y-Z plane. In yet another feature of the second aspect, the
arcuate portion
has a spherical curvature. In a further feature of the second aspect, the
arcuate portion is
angled less than fifty degrees with respect to the Y-axis. In still a further
feature of the
second aspect, the front surface circumscribes the rear surface. In yet
another feature of
the second aspect, the vorticor pin has a median width dimension parallel to
the X-axis
that is less than a median length dimension parallel to the Z-axis. In still
yet another
feature of the second aspect, the vorticor pin has a median width dimension
parallel to the
X-axis that is greater than a median length dimension parallel to the Z-axis.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary gas turbine engine includes a high
pressure
turbine section 10 downstream from a combustor section (not shown). The
function of
the high pressure turbine section 10 is to convert kinetic energy from high-
temperature,
pressurized combustion gases arriving from the upstream combustor into
mechanical
energy in the form of mechanical work. Those skilled in the art are
knowledgeable with
the general component of a gas turbine engine and, accordingly, a detailed
explanation of
each section preceding the high pressure turbine section 10 has been omitted
in
furtherance of brevity.
[0039] The high pressure turbine section 10 includes a first stage nozzle 12
comprising a
plurality of circumferentially distributed and spaced apart first stage vanes
14 that are
supported between outer and inner bands 16, 18. In exemplary form, the first
stage
nozzle 12 comprises a plurality of nozzle segments mounted with respect to one
another
to collectively form a complete 360 assembly, where each nozzle segment
includes a
pair of first stage vanes 14, an outer band segment 16, and an inner band
segment 18.
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The first stage outer and inner bands 16, 18 and vanes define an enclosed
pathway
directing the combustion gases to a first stage rotor 20.
[0040] The first stage rotor section 20 includes a series of first stage
turbine blades 22
extending from a first stage disk 24. A segmented first stage shroud 26 is
arranged to
surround the first stage turbine blades 22. As the hot combustion gases pass
over the
turbine blades 22, the energy of the combustion gases is partially converted
into
mechanical energy by rotating the blades 22 and disk 24 around a central axis.
After
passing over the blades 22, the combustion gases enter a second stage nozzle
section 28.
[0041] The second stage nozzle section 28 comprises a plurality of
circumferentially
spaced hollow second stage vanes 30 that are supported between a second stage
outer
band 32 and a second stage inner band 34. In exemplary form, the second stage
nozzle
section 28 comprises a plurality of nozzle segments mounted with respect to
one another
to collectively form a complete 360 assembly, where each nozzle segment
includes a
pair of second stage vanes 30, a second stage outer band segment 32, and
second stage
inner band segment 34. The second stage outer and inner bands 32 and 34
cooperate with
the second stage vanes 30 to demarcate combustion gases flowpath boundaries
upon
receiving the combustion gases from the first stage rotor 20, which after
flowing through
the second stage nozzle section 28 continues on to the second stage rotor
section 38. It
should be noted that the foregoing is an example only. Other designs exist for
example,
where the segments are not each of two nozzles.
[0042] The second stage rotor section 38 includes a radial array of second
stage turbine
blades 40 extending from a second stage disk 42. A segmented second stage
shroud 44 is
arranged to surround the second stage turbine blades 40. As the combustion
gases pass
over the turbine blades 40, the energy of the combustion gases is partially
converted into
mechanical energy by rotating the blades 40 and disk 42 around a central axis.
[0043] Given the extreme temperatures that the components of the high pressure
turbine
section 10 are subjected to, cooling many of these components becomes
advantageous to
increase component longevity. In order to cool the components, several
approaches have
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been utilized, including providing for cooling fluid passages through the
components. In
the case of the first and second stage nozzle sections 12, 28, cooling fluid
flows through
passages that extend through the outer and inner bands 16, 18, 32, 34, into
interior
cavities in the vanes 14, 30, where the cooling fluid egresses through a
plurality of
orifices on the exterior of the vanes. Similarly, in the case of the first and
second stage
rotor sections 20, 38, cooling fluid flows through passages that extend into
interior
cavities in the blades 22, 40, where the cooling fluid egresses through a
plurality of
orifices on the exterior of the blades.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it is known to use pin fins within cooling
conduits for
turbine blades. Those skilled in the art understand that in order to increase
the convective
heat transfer from the components of the high pressure turbine section 10 to
the cooling
fluid, the cooling fluid should be turbulent and boundary layers between the
high pressure
turbine section 10 components and the cooling fluid should be reduced. Yet
FIG. 3
depicts a series of round pin fins 11, whereas FIG. 4 depicts a series of
oblong pin fins
21, where these prior art pin fins have generous wake regions at the rear of
the pin fins
and downstream from the pin fins. These wake regions foster deposition of
solid
entrained particulates flowing within the cooling fluid. And deposition of
these
particulates leads to reduced heat transfer.
[0045] In contrast to the prior art pin fins 11, 21, a plurality of novel
"vorticor pins" may
be included within the cooling channels of the high pressure turbine section
10
components. As used herein, "vorticor pin" refers to a structure extending
from a surface
that is utilized to promote fluid vortices across the surface and retard the
formation of
wake regions at the rear of the pins, where the surface may be an open surface
or may be
a closed surface that is bounded on multiple sides. In exemplary form, a
vorticor pin
includes dimensions of length, width, and height, where these dimensions are
all
approximately the same or within a factor of about five of each other.
Vorticor pins may
be present on the interior of a cooling conduit bounded on all sides so that
the vorticor pin
extends into the cooling conduit, but not completely between opposing walls of
the
conduit. Vorticor pins serve to disrupt the flow of the cooling fluid flowing
through the
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cooling channel to promote vortices as part of creating and maintaining
vortical fluid
flow elements. Vortical flow elements proximate the high pressure turbine
section 10
component surface increases the rate of convective heat transfer from the
components to
the cooling fluid.
[0046] One or more vorticor pins may be associated with any of the components
of the
high pressure turbine section 10 including, without limitation, vanes, blades,
bands, and
disks. By way of example, FIG. 2 shows an internal cross-section of a prior
art blade
having a series of cooling channels distributed therethrough. Similar channels
can be
found in other vanes, bands, disks, and combustor components (e.g., case and
diffuser),
which are known to those skilled in the art and need not be discussed in great
detail.
[0047] Exemplary vorticor pins in accordance with the instant disclosure may
exhibit
various geometries, but all vorticor pins have in common an upright front
surface that
generally faces the oncoming direction of cooling airflow F, and a rear
surface that
defines a ramp-like shape inclining/declining from the front surface toward at
least one of
a lateral wall, a floor, and/or a ceiling.
[0048] As shown specifically in FIGS. 5-8, a first exemplary vorticor pin 400
includes an
arcuate front surface 402 and a rear surface 414, both extending above a floor
410. For
purposes of explanation only, a coordinate system is established as part of
describing the
features of the exemplary vorticor pin 400, where a Y-axis extends
perpendicularly from
the floor 410, an X-axis extends perpendicularly from Y-axis in the lateral or
widthwise
direction W, and a Z-axis extends perpendicularly from the X-axis and the Y-
axis parallel
to the direction of fluid flow F. In this exemplary embodiment, the vorticor
pin 400
includes a triangular cross-section taken along the X-direction (coaxial with
the X-axis),
where the hypotenuse of the triangle is the rear surface and the two legs
comprise the
front surface 402 and the floor 410. The front surface 402 faces and is
transverse to the
direction of airflow F (and the Z-axis) and may be angled between zero and
forty-five
degrees with respect to the Y-axis. By way of example, the accompanying
drawings
depict the front surface 402 as being angled zero degrees with respect to the
Y-axis.
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100491 The front surface 402 includes a height (measured in the Y-direction)
that varies
in the widthwise direction W (parallel to the X-axis) and in the longitudinal
direction
(parallel to the Z-axis). The front surface 402 extends between opposing
vertical, lateral
walls 406, 408 that extend along the Y and Z axes, but does not completely
span the
lateral walls 406, 408. By way of exemplary discussion, the lateral walls 406,
408 are
bridged by the floor 410 and ceiling 412, each of which extends along the X
and Z axes.
In exemplary form, the floor 410 comprises a planar surface, whereas the walls
406, 408
also embody planar surfaces that each extends perpendicular to the floor. It
should be
noted, however, that the opposing walls 406, 408 need not be planar, nor
angled
perpendicularly with respect to the floor 410. Likewise, it should be
understood that the
floor 410 need not be planar or angled perpendicularly with respect to either
or both of
the lateral walls 406, 408.
100501 In this exemplary vorticor pin 400, the rear surface 414 may completely
extend
from the floor 410 to a terminal arcuate edge 426 (i.e., top edge) of the
front surface 402
vertically spaced above the floor with the exception of where the arcuate edge
meets the
floor 410. The rear surface 414 is inclined at an angle 01 with respect to
that Z-axis that
may be constant or vary across the lateral widthwise dimension W (along the X
axis).
Said another way, the length of the rear surface 414 (between the terminal
edge 426 and
the line of termination 420 in the Z-axis direction) is nonuniform across the
widthwise
dimension W.
100511 Referring specifically to FIG. 8, the angle 01 (measured between the
floor 410
and the rear surface 414) may be selected to be large enough so that the
vorticor pin 400
has a reasonable overall length in the direction of cooling air flow F, but
preferably not so
large that a flow recirculation zone would be present during operation. As an
example,
the angle 01 may be uniform across the lateral widthwise dimension W (parallel
to the X-
axis) or the angle 01 may vary across the widthwise dimension W. In this
exemplary
embodiment, the angle 01 is depicted in the figures as being uniform across
the
widthwise dimension W. In exemplary form, the angle 0 I may average about 45
or less.
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More specifically, the angle 4)1 may average approximately 30 . By way of
further
example, for purposes of illustration in the figures only, angle 4)1 is 20
degrees.
[0052] Referring back to FIGS. 5-8, this first exemplary vorticor pin 400
includes a rear
surface 414 with a length that varies laterally. This variance in length is
the product of a
front surface 402 having an arcuate contour. In exemplary form, the minimum
length Li
of the rear surface 414 occurs at the lateral ends of the vorticor pin 400,
whereas the
maximum length 1.2 of the rear surface occurs at the vertex 428 of the
parabolic contour.
By way of example, this vertex 428 is centered with respect to the lateral
dimensions of
the vorticor pin 400. Those skilled in the art will understand that the
lengths Li, 1.2 may
vary depending upon various factors such as the angle 4)1 chosen.
[0053] In this exemplary vorticor pin 400, the front surface 402 comprises an
arcuate
surface having an arcuate shape that extends vertically in the Y-direction
from the floor
410. Moreover, the front surface 402 merges with lateral segments 403 that are
generally
planar, are generally parallel to one another, and set forth the widthwise
bounds of the
vorticor pin 400. For purposes of this exemplary embodiment, generally
parallel to one
another means that the lateral segments 403 are angled with respect to one
another no
more than twenty degrees. Consistent with the uniform angle 4)1, the height H
of the
vorticor pin 400 changes along the length of the terminal arcuate edge 426
from a
maximum height Hi at the vertex to a minimum height H2 where the terminal
arcuate
edge meets the floor 410 and the height of the lateral segments 403 is zero.
And it is also
within the scope of this disclosure for the maximum height of the front
surface 402 to be
located other than the vertex of the terminal arcuate edge 426. In exemplary
form, a line
of termination 420 is formed where the rear surface 414 meets the floor 410
and this line
of termination may be parallel to a tangent line of the vertex 428. In
circumstances where
the angle 4)1 varies in the X-direction, for example, the line of termination
420 may not
be parallel to a tangent line at the vertex 428.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 9, the exemplary vorticor pins 400 may be arranged in
rows
(three rows shown, in a staggered configuration) and there may be a
correlation between
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the spacing of the pins 400 and th dimensions of the pins themselves. In
exemplary
form, the longitudinal length between repeating pins 400 within a row is
represented by
P1, whereas the longitudinal length of each pin 400 within that same row is
represented
by P2. By way of guidance, design parameters may be established for
longitudinal
spacing of the pins within a row, where the ratio of P1 to P2 (P1/P2) is
between 2.0 to
10Ø In further exemplary form, the lateral width between repeating pins 400
across
adjacent rows is represented by W1, whereas the lateral width of each pin 400
within a
row is represented by W2. By way of guidance, design parameters may be
established
for lateral spacing of the pins, where the ratio of W1 to W2 (W1/W2) is
between 3.0 to
6Ø These parameters are exemplary in nature and may be departed from based
upon
various considerations known to those skilled in the art.
[0055] In circumstances where particulates are deposited and the surface of
the
component is intended for convective heat transfer, as introduced previously,
these
particulates act as insulators and reduce thermal transfer between the flowing
fluid and
the intended heat transfer surface. These particulates tend to become trapped
in flow
recirculation and separation regions leading to a higher probability of
accumulation and
the formation of a thermal resistance. By using one or more vorticor pins 400,
reduction
of the stagnation and recirculation flow regions in comparison to the
conventional
cooling enhancement methods can ue achieved.
[0056] For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the vorticor pin 400 may be
repeated to
further reduce stagnate airflow. In this exemplary configuration, a series of
vorticor pins
400 are positioned in aligned longitudinal rows (three pins in the first row,
two pins in the
second row, and three pins in the third row), with the rows staggered
laterally. It should
be noted, however, that the vorticor pins 400 may be arranged differently than
as shown
in FIGS. 9 and 10. For example, the rows of pins 400 may be aligned both
laterally and
longitudinally. Moreover, the pins 400 may be arranged to create the absence
of lateral
and/or longitudinal rows.
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[0057] As shown specifically in FIGS. 11-15, a second exemplary vorticor pin
500
includes an arcuate front surface 5',12, tapered side surfaces 503, and a rear
surface 514,
both extending above a floor 510. For purposes of explanation only, the same
coordinate
system will be utilized as was described previously for the first exemplary
vorticor pin
400. In this exemplary embodiment, the vorticor pin 500 includes a triangular
or a
quadrilateral cross-section (taken along the X-direction, coaxial with the X-
axis)
depending upon where the cross-section is taken. More specifically, if the
cross-section
is taken at the position 528 farthest from a point of termination of the
vorticor pin 500,
the cross-section is triangular. If taken at other locations laterally
displaced from the
position 528, the cross-section is quadrilateral. In exemplary form, the front
surface 502
is semicircular in horizontal cross-section (taken along the Y-axis) and its
radial ends
meet corresponding ends of each of the tapered side surfaces 503. By way of
example,
the side surfaces 503 are planar and angled the same with respect to a
widthwise midline
M so that the side surfaces eventually converge at a point of termination 520.
In
exemplary form, the angle between the side surfaces and a longitudinal dashed
line
parallel to the Z-axis is represented by "0". For purposes of graphical
depiction only, the
side surfaces are angled approximately twenty degrees with respect to the
longitudinal
dashed line. It should be noted, however, that the angle 0 may be chosen to be
at any
angle in order to converge the side surfaces 503 at a point of termination
520.
[0058] The arcuate front surface J02 faces and is transverse to the direction
of airflow
F (and the Z-axis) and may be angled between zero and forty-five degrees with
respect to
the Y-axis. By way of example, the accompanying drawings depict the front
surface 502
as being angled zero degrees with respect to the Y-axis. The arcuate front
surface 502
includes a height (measured in the Y-direction) that varies in the widthwise
direction W
(parallel to the X-axis) and in the longitudinal direction (parallel to the Z-
axis). The front
surface 502 extends between opposing vertical, lateral walls 506, 508 that
extend along
the Y and Z axes, but does not completely span the lateral walls 506, 508.
[0059] By way of exemplary discussion, the lateral walls 506, 508 are bridged
by the
floor 510 and ceiling 512, each of which extends along the X and Z axes. In
exemplary
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form, the floor 510 comprises a planar surface, whereas the walls 506, 508
also embody
planar surfaces that each extends perpendicular to the floor. It should be
noted, however,
that the opposing walls 506, 508 need not be planar, nor angled
perpendicularly with
respect to the floor 510. Likewise, it should be understood that the floor 510
need not be
planar or angled perpendicularly with respect to either or both of the lateral
walls 506,
508.
[0060] In this exemplary vorticor pin 500, the rear surface 514 may completely
extend
from the floor 510 to a terminal edge 526 (i.e., top edge) of the front
surface 502 and the
tapered side surfaces 503 vertically spaced above the floor with the exception
of where
the terminal edge meets the floor 510. The rear surface 514 is inclined at an
angle 4)2
with respect to that Z-axis that may be constant or vary across the lateral
widthwise
dimension W (along the X axis). Said another way, the length of the rear
surface 514
(between the terminal edge 526 and the point of termination 520 in the Z-axis
direction)
is nonuniform across the widthwise dimension W.
[0061] Referring specifically to FIG. 15, the angle 412 (measured between the
floor 510
and the rear surface 514) may be selected to be large enough so that the
vorticor pin 500
has a reasonable overall length in the direction of cooling air flow F, but
preferably not so
large that a flow recirculation zone would be present during operation. As an
example,
the angle 4)2 may be uniform across the lateral widthwise dimension W
(parallel to the X-
axis) or the angle irla may vary ac-,oss the widthwise dimension W. In this
exemplary
embodiment, the angle 4)2 is depicted in the figures as being uniform across
the
widthwise dimension W. In exemplary form, the angle 02 may average about 45
or less.
More specifically, the angle 4)2 may average approximately 30 . By way of
further
example, for purposes of illustration in the figures only, angle 02 is 20
degrees.
[0062] Referring back to FIGS. 11-15, this second exemplary vorticor pin 500
includes a
rear surface 514 with a length that varies laterally. This variance in length
is the product
of a front surface 502 having an arcuate contour and the tapered side surfaces
503
meeting one another at the point of termination 520. In exemplary form, the
minimum
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length of the rear surface 514 occurs where the front surface 502 joins the
tapered side
surfaces 503, whereas the maximum length of the rear surface occurs where the
front
surface 502 is spaced longitudinally the farthest from the point of
termination 520, in this
case along the widthwise midline M of the vorticor pin 500. Those skilled in
the art will
understand that the minimum lengths and the maximum length may vary depending
upon
various factors such as the angle chosen.
[0063] In this exemplary vorticor pin 500, the front surface 502 comprises an
arcuate
surface having an arcuate contour that extends vertically in the Y-direction
from the floor
510. Moreover, the front surface 502 merges with opposing tapered segments 503
that
are generally planar, are not generally parallel to one another, and set forth
a portion of
the widthwise bounds of the vorticor pin 500. For purposes of this exemplary
embodiment. generally parallel to one another means that the lateral segments
403 are
angled with respect to one another no more than twenty degrees. Consistent
with the
uniform angle (1)2, the height of the vorticor pin 500 changes along the
length of the
terminal arcuate edge 526 from a maximum height at the farthest longitudinal
point from
the point of termination 520 to a minimum height where the terminal arcuate
edge meets
the floor 510 and the height of the tapered side surfaces 503 is zero. And it
is also within
the scope of this disclosure for the maximum height of the vorticor pin 500 to
be located
other than along the widthwise midline M. In exemplary form, a point of
termination
520 is formed where the rear surface 514, the tapered side surfaces 503. and
floor 510 all
meet, which lies upon the widthwise midline. In circumstances where the taper
of the
side surfaces 503 is not uniform, the point of termination may not necessarily
lie upon
the widthwise midline M of the vorticor pin 500.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 16, the exemplary vorticor pins 500 may be arranged in
rows
(two rows shown, in lateral and longitudinal alignment) and there may be a
correlation
between the spacing of the pins 500 and the dimensions of the pins themselves.
In
exemplary form, the longitudinal length between repeating pins 500 within a
row is
represented by P3, whereas the longitudinal length of each pin 500 within that
same row is
represented by P4. By way of guidance, design parameters may be established
for
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longitudinal spacing of the pins 500 within a row, where the ratio of P3 to P4
(P3/P4) is
between 2.0 and 10Ø In further exemplary form, the lateral width between
repeating
pins 500 across adjacent rows is represented by W3, whereas the lateral width
of each pin
500 within a row is represented by W4. By way of guidance, design parameters
may be
established for lateral spacing of th., pins 500, where the ratio of W3 to W4
(W3/W4) is
between 3.0 to 6Ø These parameters are exemplary in nature and may be
departed from
based upon various considerations known to those skilled in the art.
[0065] In circumstances where particulates are deposited and the surface of
the
component is intended for convective heat transfer, as introduced previously,
these
particulates act as insulators and reduce thermal transfer between the flowing
fluid and
the intended heat transfer surface. These particulates tend to become trapped
in flow
recirculation and separation regions leading to a higher probability of
accumulation and
the formation of a thermal resistance. By using one or more vorticor pins 500,
reduction
of the stagnation and recirculation flow regions in comparison to the
conventional
cooling enhancement methods can be achieved.
[0066] For example, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the vorticor pin 500 may be
repeated
to further reduce stagnate airflow. In this exemplary configuration, a series
of vorticor
pins 500 are positioned in aligned longitudinal and lateral rows. It should be
noted,
however, that the vorticor pins 500 may be arranged differently than as shown
in FIGS.
16 and 17. For example, the rows may be laterally offset. Moreover, the pins
500 may
be arranged to create the absence of lateral and/or longitudinal rows.
[0067] As shown specifically in FIGS. 18-21, a third exemplary vorticor pin
600 includes
an arcuate surface 602 and a rear surface 614, both extending above a floor
610. For
purposes of explanation only, the same coordinate system will be utilized as
was
described previously for the first exemplary vorticor pin 400. In these
exemplary
embodiments, the vorticor pin 600 comprises an elongated cylindrical shape
(i.e., the
arcuate surfaces 602) having an end surface (i.e., the rear surface 614)
comprising an
oblique plane.
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[0068] In exemplary form with respect to the third exemplary vorticor pin 600,
the pin
includes an arcuate surface 602, at least a portion of which faces and is
transverse to the
direction of airflow F (and the Z-axis). This arcuate surface 602 may be
angled between
zero and forty-five degrees with respect to the Y-axis. By way of example, the
accompanying drawings depict the arcuate surface 602 as being angled zero
degrees with
respect to the Y-axis. As will be explained in more detail hereafter, the
arcuate surface
602 includes a height H (measured in the Y-direction) that varies in the
widthwise
direction W (parallel to the X-axis) and in the longitudinal direction
(parallel to the Z-
axis). And the arcuate surface 602 extends between opposing vertical, lateral
walls 606,
608 that extend along the Y and Z axes, but does not completely span the
lateral walls
606, 608.
[0069] By way of exemplary discussion, the lateral walls 606, 608 are bridged
by the
floor 610 and ceiling 612, each of which extends along the X and Z axes. In
exemplary
form, the floor 610 comprises a planar surface, whereas the walls 606, 608
also embody
planar surfaces that each extends perpendicular to the floor. It should be
noted, however,
that the opposing walls 606, 608 need not be planar, nor angled
perpendicularly with
respect to the floor 610. Likewise, it should be understood that the floor 610
need not be
planar or angled perpendicularly with respect to either or both of the lateral
walls 606,
608.
[0070] The rear surface 614 of this exemplary vorticor pin 600 may completely
extend
from the floor 610 to a terminal edge 626 (i.e., top edge or where the rear
surface and
arcuate surfaces meet one another) of the arcuate surface 602 vertically
spaced above the
floor with the exception of where the terminal edge meets the floor 610. The
rear surface
614 is inclined at an angles 03 with respect to that Z-axis that may be
constant or vary
across the lateral widthwise dimension W (in the X-direction). Said another
way, the
length of the rear surface 614 (longitudinal length between two terminal edge
626 points
within a cross-section taken within a Y-Z plane) is nonuniform across the
widthwise
dimension W (in the X-direction).
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[0071] Referring specifically to FIG. 20, the angle 4)3 (measured between the
floor 610
and the rear surface 614) may be selected to be large enough so that the
vorticor pin 600
has a reasonable overall length in the direction of cooling air flow F. As an
example, the
angle 4)3 may be uniform across the lateral widthwise dimension W (parallel to
the X-
axis) or the angle (1)3 may vary across the widthwise dimension W. In this
exemplary
embodiment, the angle (Pis depicted in the figures as being uniform across the
widthwise
dimension W. In exemplary form, the angle (1)3 may be about 45 or less. More
specifically, the angle 4)3 may be approximately less than 30 . By way of
further
example, for purposes of illustration in the figures only, the angle 4)3 is 20
degrees.
100721 Referring back to FIGS. 18-21, the third exemplary vorticor pin 600
includes a
rear surface 614 with lengths (i.e., longitudinal length between two terminal
edge 626
points within a cross-section taken within an Y-Z plane) that are non-uniform.
This
variance in length is the product of the rear surface 614 having an oblong
circular shape.
In exemplary form, the minimum length of the rear surface 614 of the third
exemplary
vorticor pin 600 occurs at the lateral ends. By way of example, the minimum
length is
zero millimeters. Those skilled in the art will understand that the maximum
length L6
may vary depending upon various factors such as the angle 4303 chosen.
[0073] In the third exemplary vorticor pin 600, the front surface 602
comprises an
arcuate surface having an arcuate shape (for example, an oblong cylindrical
shape) that is
inhibited from being continuous by the presence of the rear surface 614, where
the
peripheral distance of the front surface 602 (taken with respect to cross-
sections of the
front surface 602 in the Y-direction) varies in the Y-direction. More
specifically, the
peripheral distance of the front surface 602 reaches a maximum proximate the
floor 610
and reaches a minimum farthest away from the floor. Similarly, the height
(distance
from the floor 610 to the top of the arcuate surface 602 at a given point or
cross-section)
of the front surface 602 also changes in the Z-direction. Consistent with the
uniform
angle 4)3, the height H (in the Y-direction) of the vorticor pin 600 changes
along the
length of the terminal arcuate edge 626 from a maximum height H5 at the front
of the pin
to a minimum height H6 at the rear of the pin where the terminal arcuate edge
626 meets
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the floor 610. And it is also within the scope of this disclosure for the
maximum height
of the vorticor pin 600 to be located other than along the widthwise midline
and at the
front of the vorticor pin. By way of example, where the angle 4)3 is not
uniform, the
maximum height may not necessarily lie upon the widthwise midline of the
vorticor pin
600.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 22, the exemplary vorticor pins 600 may be arranged in
rows
(two rows shown, in lateral and lcigitudinal alignment) and there may be a
correlation
between the spacing of the pins 600 and the dimensions of the pins themselves.
In
exemplary form, the longitudinal length between repeating pins 600 within a
row is
represented by P5, whereas the longitudinal length of each pin 600 within that
same row
is represented by P6. By way of guidance, design parameters may be established
for
longitudinal spacing of the pins 600 within a row, where the ratio of P5 to P6
(P5/P6) is
between 2.0 and 10Ø In further exemplary form, the lateral width between
repeating
pins 600 across adjacent rows is represented by W5, whereas the lateral width
of each pin
600 within a row is represented by W6. By way of guidance, design parameters
may be
established for lateral spacing of the pins 600, where the ratio of W5 to W6
(W5/W6) is
between 3.0 to 6Ø These parameters are exemplary in nature and may be
departed from
based upon various considerations known to those skilled in the art.
[0075] In circumstances where particulates are deposited and the surface of
the
component is intended for convective heat transfer, as introduced previously,
these
particulates act as insulators and reduce thermal transfer between the flowing
fluid and
the intended heat transfer surface. These particulates tend to become trapped
in flow
recirculation and separation regions leading to a higher probability of
accumulation and
the formation of a thermal resistance. By using one or more vorticor pins 600,
reduction
of the stagnation and recirculation flow regions in comparison to the
conventional
cooling enhancement methods can be achieved.
[0076] For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the vorticor pins 600 may be repeated
to
further reduce stagnant airflow. In this exemplary configuration, a series of
vorticor pins
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600 may be positioned in aligned longitudinal rows (three pins 600 in the
first row, three
pins 600 in the second row), with the rows aligned laterally. It should be
noted, however,
that the vorticor pins 600 may be arranged differently than as shown in FIG.
22. In such a
circumstance, the vorticor pins may be arranged in rows that are not aligned
laterally.
Alternatively, the vorticor pins may be arranged to create the absence of
lateral and/or
longitudinal rows.
100771 As described herein, the exemplary vorticor pins 400, 500, 600 may have
various
dimensions. For example, the height (in the Y-direction) of the front face
402, 502, 602
of the vorticor pins 400, 500, 600 is selected to be large enough so that each
vorticor pin
is effective in producing vortical flows and mixing. More specifically, the
height of the
front face 402, 502, 602 is significantly larger than any subsurface
imperfections in the
component surface (i.e., floor), but generally not so large as to form a
significant flow
blockage.
100781 Moreover, the exemplary vorticor pins 400, 500, 600 may incorporate a
curved
rear surface 414, 514, 614 in lieu of the planar rear surface. Moreover, the
lengths of a
curved rear surface 414. 514, 614 (taken in the Z-direction) may vary across
the lateral
direction (W direction, parallel to the X-axis) when used in lieu of the
planar rear surfaces
described for the foregoing vorticor pins 400, 500, 600.
100791 It should also be understood that while the some foregoing exemplary
embodiments have been described as having rear surfaces meeting or elevated
above the
floor, it is also within the scope of the disclosure to terminate the rear
surfaces below the
floor. In such a circumstance, the terminal edge of the rear surfaces may
exhibit a step
change in height in comparison to the height of the adjacent floor.
[0080] Moreover, while the foregoing exemplary vorticor pins 400, 500, 600
have been
described in exemplary form a particular orientation (commensurate with the
figures)
with respect to adjacent walls, it is also within the scope of the disclosure
to rotate the
vorticor pins 400, 500, 600 about the Y-axis to change the orientation of the
vorticor pins
with respect to the adjacent walls and, in particular, which surface is the
leading surface
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in the direction of airflow F. For example, the exemplary vorticor pins 600
may be
rotated any number of degrees with respect to the Y-axis. Those skilled in the
art will
understand the rotational changes that may be made to any of the foregoing
exemplary
vorticor pins 400, 500, 600 based upon the structure disclosed and the
explanation that
the rotational position may be varied in all 360 degrees in comparison with
the depictions
in the figures.
[0081] It should also be understood that while the interface between two or
more surfaces
(surfaces of the pins, surfaces of walls, etc.) may have been depicted in the
drawings to
have a sharp point or edge , in pi actice when fabricating components for use
in jet
engines within the scope of the instant disclosure, the interface between two
or more
surfaces need not come to a point or sharp edge. Rather, the surfaces may join
one
another via a radius or fillet. Consequently, those skilled in the art should
understand that
the depicted point or sharp edge between surfaces also encompasses and
represents
curved or rounded surface interfaces.
[0082] It should be further understood that while the foregoing exemplary
vorticor pins
400, 500, 600 have been described in exemplary form as being within a confined
channel
(opposing lateral walls bridged by a floor and ceiling), it is also within the
scope of the
disclosure to utilize the vorticor pins 400, 500, 600 to arise from any
surface, whether or
not adjacent lateral walls or an adjacent lateral wall exists, and regardless
of the presence
of an opposing surface corresponding to the surface from which the vorticor
pins extend
(e.g., a floor vs. ceiling, one wall vs. opposing wall, etc.).
[0083] The vorticor pins described herein are useable in any structure where
heat transfer
is intended such as, without limitation, any structure where prior art cooling
channels
were provided. Nonlimiting examples of such structures include gas turbine
engine
combustor liners, stationary (i.e. frame) structures, turbine shrouds and
hangers, turbine
disks and seals, and the interiors oi stationary or rotating engine airfoils
such as nozzles
and blades. The components described above should be considered as merely
exemplary
of a heat transfer structure and may be incorporated into the casting of a
component, may
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be machined into an existing subsurface, or may be provided as separate
structures that
are then attached to a surface.
[0084] Following from the foregoing description, which is provided for the
purpose of
illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, it should be apparent
to those of
ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein
described
constitute exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the disclosure is
not
necessarily limited to the precise embodiments and changes may be made to such
embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally,
it is to be
understood that it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing
the
exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the
interpretation of
what constitutes the disclosure unless such feature or element is explicitly
stated as
necessary to comprise the disclosure. Likewise, it is to be understood that it
is not
necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the
foregoing
exemplary embodiments in order to fall within the scope of the disclosure
since inherent
and/or unforeseen advantages of the present disclosure may exist even though
they may
not have been explicitly discussed herein.
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