U.S. patent application number 09/920566 was filed with the patent office on 2003-02-06 for particle separator.
Invention is credited to Snyder, Philip H., Vittal, Baily.
Application Number | 20030024232 09/920566 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25443965 |
Filed Date | 2003-02-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030024232 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snyder, Philip H. ; et
al. |
February 6, 2003 |
PARTICLE SEPARATOR
Abstract
An attachment for the air intake of a gas turbine engine
includes a plurality of particle separators. The particle
separators cooperate to define an attachment axis and are spaced
circumferentially about the attachment axis. Each particle
separator includes a housing defining a separator axis, a first
flow passage having at least a portion that is annular, an annular
opening, and an annular second flow passage. The first and second
flow passages are configured so that inertia of particles entrained
in a stream of air flowing through the annular portion of the first
flow passage tends to cause the particles to flow from the annular
portion through the opening into the second flow passage to allow
the stream of air to enter the engine flow passage free of the
particles removed therefrom. The separator axes are parallel to and
spaced apart from the attachment axis.
Inventors: |
Snyder, Philip H.; (Avon,
IN) ; Vittal, Baily; (Carmel, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARNES & THORNBURG
11 South Meridian Street
Indianapolis
IN
46204
US
|
Family ID: |
25443965 |
Appl. No.: |
09/920566 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
60/39.092 ;
55/306 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 45/08 20130101;
B01D 45/16 20130101; Y10T 137/0536 20150401; F02C 7/052 20130101;
F05D 2260/607 20130101; F02C 7/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
60/39.092 ;
55/306 |
International
Class: |
F02C 007/052 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An attachment for the air intake of a gas turbine engine
comprising an engine housing defining an engine flow passage, the
attachment comprising: a plurality of particle separators adapted
to be coupled to the engine housing and cooperating to define an
attachment axis, the particle separators being spaced
circumferentially about the attachment axis, each particle
separator comprising a housing defining a separator axis, a first
flow passage having at least a portion that is annular, an annular
opening, and an annular second flow passage positioned in fluid
communication with the annular portion of the first flow passage
through the opening, the annular portion of the first flow passage,
the opening, and the second flow passage being concentric about the
separator axis, the first flow passage and the second flow passage
being configured so that inertia of particles entrained in a stream
of air flowing through the annular portion of the first flow
passage tends to cause the particles to flow from the annular
portion of the first flow passage through the opening into the
second flow passage to allow the stream of air to enter the engine
flow passage from the first flow passage free of the particles
removed therefrom, the separator axes being parallel to and spaced
apart from the attachment axis.
2. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the particle separators are
spaced equidistantly from the attachment axis.
3. The attachment of claim of claim 1, wherein the particle
separators are spaced at equal arcuate intervals about the
attachment axis.
4. The attachment of claim of claim 3, wherein there are four of
the particle separators and the four particle separators are spaced
at 90-degree intervals about the attachment axis.
5. The attachment of claim of claim 1, wherein the housing of each
particle separator defines annular inlet that faces axially
forwardly relative to the attachment axis and is concentric about
the separator axis.
6. The attachment of claim 5, wherein the inlets of the particle
separators are aligned on a plane transverse to the attachment
axis.
7. The attachment of claim 5, wherein at least one of the inlets is
positioned on a first plane transverse to the attachment axis, at
least another one of the inlets is positioned on a second plane
transverse to the attachment axis, and the first and second planes
are spaced from one another along the attachment axis.
8. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the housing of each particle
separator comprises an inner body, an outer duct positioned
radially outwardly of the inner body relative to the separator
axis, and a transition duct adapted to be coupled to the engine
housing and having an annular partition portion that is
concentrically positioned between the inner body and the outer duct
to separate the first flow passage from the second flow
passage.
9. The attachment of claim 8, wherein the inner body and the outer
duct cooperate to define an inlet portion of the first flow passage
that is upstream of the opening, the inner body and the partition
portion cooperate to define an intermediate portion of the first
flow passage that is downstream of the opening, the inlet and
intermediate portions of the first flow passage cooperate to define
the annular portion of the first flow passage, and the transition
duct includes a diffuser portion that is coupled to the partition
portion and defines a non-annular, outlet portion of the first flow
passage.
10. The attachment of claim 9, wherein the diffuser portion of each
particle separator extends radially inwardly and axially rearwardly
of the partition portion relative to the attachment axis and is
adapted to be coupled to the engine housing.
11. The attachment of claim 8, wherein the inner body of each
particle separator comprises an axially forward circular edge, an
axially rearward point through which the separator axis extends,
and a wall extending from the circular edge to the point.
12. The attachment of claim 8, wherein the inner body of each
particle separator comprises a peak extending radially outwardly
relative to the separator axis upstream of the opening.
13. The attachment of claim 8, wherein the housing of each particle
separator comprises a strut positioned in the first flow passage
and coupled to the inner body and the outer duct for support of the
inner body.
14. The attachment of claim 8, wherein the housing of each particle
separator comprises a strut positioned in the first flow passage
and coupled to the inner body and the partition portion of the
transition duct for support of the inner body.
15. The gas turbine engine of claim 8, wherein the outer ducts of
the particle separators cooperate to define a space and the
attachment axis extends through the space.
16. An attachment for the air intake of a gas turbine engine
comprising an engine housing defining an engine flow passage and a
drive shaft defining a drive shaft axis of rotation, the attachment
comprising: a plurality of particle separators adapted to be
coupled to the engine housing and cooperating to define an
attachment axis generally coinciding with the drive shaft axis, the
particle separators being spaced circumferentially about the
attachment axis, each particle separator comprising a housing
defining a separator axis, a first flow passage having at least a
portion that is annular, an annular opening, and an annular second
flow passage positioned in fluid communication with the annular
portion of the first flow passage through the opening, the annular
portion of the first flow passage, the opening, and the second flow
passage being concentric about the separator axis, the first flow
passage and the second flow passage being configured so that
inertia of particles entrained in a stream of air flowing through
the annular portion of the first flow passage tends to cause the
particles to flow from the annular portion of the first flow
passage through the opening into the second flow passage to allow
the stream of air to enter the engine flow passage from the first
flow passage free of the particles removed therefrom, and a first
particle discharger comprising a manifold defining a third flow
passage positioned to receive particles from the second flow
passages of at least two of the particle separators and a blower
coupled to the manifold to discharge particles from the third flow
passage.
17. The attachment of claim 16, wherein the manifold comprises a
plurality of scrolls and a connector coupled to each of the scrolls
and the blower, each scroll is coupled to the housing of one of the
particle separators for fluid communication with the respective
second flow passage, and the scrolls and the connector cooperate to
define the third flow passage.
18. The attachment of claim 17, wherein the connector is positioned
radially outwardly of the separator axes.
19. The attachment of claim 17, wherein the connector includes a
portion positioned radially inwardly from the separators and
radially outwardly from the attachment axis.
20. The attachment of claim 17, wherein each of the scrolls
enlarges in cross-section as it extends clockwise about the
separator axis of the particle separator to which it is
coupled.
21. The attachment of claim 17, wherein at least one of the scrolls
enlarges in cross-section as it extends clockwise about the
separator axis of the particle separator to which it is coupled and
at least one of the scrolls enlarges in cross-section as it extends
counter-clockwise about the separator axis of the particle
separator to which it is coupled.
22. The attachment of claim 16, further comprising a second
particle discharger comprising a manifold defining a fourth flow
passage positioned to receive particles from the second flow
passages of at least two other of the particle separators and a
blower coupled to the manifold of the second particle discharger to
discharge particles from the fourth flow passage.
23. The attachment of claim 22, wherein the manifold of the first
particle discharger comprises a plurality of first scrolls and a
first connector coupled to the first scrolls and the blower of the
first particle discharger, the first scrolls and the first
connector cooperate to define the third flow passage, the manifold
of the second particle discharger comprises a plurality of second
scrolls and a second connector coupled to the second scrolls and
the blower of the second particle discharger, the second scrolls
and the second connector cooperate to define the fourth flow
passage, and each of the first and second scrolls is coupled to the
housing of one of the particle separators.
24. The attachment of claim 23, wherein at least one of the first
scrolls enlarges in cross-section as it extends clockwise about the
separator axis of the particle separator to which it is coupled, at
least one of the first scrolls enlarges in cross-section as it
extends counter-clockwise about the separator axis of the particle
separator to which it is coupled, at least one of the second
scrolls enlarges in cross-section as it extends clockwise about the
separator axis of the particle separator to which it is coupled,
and at least one of the second scrolls enlarges in cross-section as
it extends counter-clockwise about the separator axis of the
particle separator to which it is coupled
25. The attachment of claim 16, wherein the particle separators are
positioned in the third flow passage so that the second flow
passages communicate directly with the third flow passage.
26. An attachment for the air intake of a gas turbine engine
comprising an engine housing defining an engine flow passage and a
drive shaft defining an axis of rotation, the attachment
comprising: a plurality of particle separators adapted to be
coupled to the engine housing and cooperating to define an
attachment axis, the particle separators being spaced
circumferentially about the attachment axis, each particle
separator comprising a housing defining a separator axis, a first
flow passage having at least a portion that is annular, an annular
opening, and an annular second flow passage positioned in fluid
communication with the annular portion of the first flow passage
through the opening, the annular portion of the first flow passage,
the opening, and the second flow passage being concentric about the
separator axis, the first flow passage and the second flow passage
being configured so that inertia of particles entrained in a stream
of air flowing through the annular portion of the first flow
passage tends to cause the particles to flow from the annular
portion of the first flow passage through the opening into the
second flow passage to allow the stream of air to enter the engine
flow passage from the first flow passage free of the particles
removed therefrom, and a plurality of particle dischargers, each
particle discharger being associated with only one of the particle
separators.
27. The attachment of claim 26, wherein each particle discharger
comprises a scroll coupled to the housing of the associated
particle separator to receive particles from the associated second
flow passage into a third flow passage defined by the scroll and a
blower coupled to the scroll to discharge the particles from the
third flow passage.
28. The attachment of claim 27, wherein each of the scrolls
enlarges in cross-section as it extends clockwise about the
separator axis of the particle separator to which it is
coupled.
29. An engine comprising a shaft defining an axis of rotation and a
plurality of particle separators circumferentially spaced about the
axis of rotation, each separator comprising a housing comprising an
outer sleeve and an inner body which are concentrically disposed
relative to a separator axis to provide an annular cross-section
core flow passage therebetween with an annular inlet, an
intermediate annular passage portion, and an annular core flow
outlet, the outer sleeve and the inner body providing the
intermediate annular passage portion diverging radially outwardly
from the separator axis at a diverging portion between the inlet
and the outlet, the housing also comprising a partition disposed
between the outer sleeve and the inner body, the outer sleeve and
the partition providing an annular opening about the separator axis
adjacent to the diverging portion and an annular scavenge flow
passage leading away from the opening and extending toward an
annular scavenge flow outlet, the diverging portion being
configured so that inertia of particles entrained in a stream of
air flowing from the annular inlet through the core flow passage to
the core flow outlet tends to cause the particles to flow from the
core flow passage through the annular opening into the scavenge
flow passage for discharge through the scavenge flow outlet to
allow the stream of air to pass through the core flow outlet free
of the particles removed therefrom, the particle separators
cooperating to define a space, the shaft extending into the space
so that the axis of rotation is parallel to the separator axes.
30. The engine of claim 29, wherein, with respect to each particle
separator, the core flow outlet is disposed axially rearwardly of
the annular inlet relative to the separator axis.
31. The engine of claim 30, wherein, with respect to each particle
separator, the annular opening is disposed axially rearwardly of
the annular inlet and axially forwardly of the core flow outlet
relative to the separator axis.
32. The engine of claim 29, wherein the annular inlets of the
particle separators face axially forwardly to receive the stream of
air flowing axially rearwardly.
33. The engine of claim 29, wherein the particle separators are
spaced equidistantly from the shaft.
34. The engine of claim 29, wherein the particle separators are
spaced at equal arcuate intervals about the shaft.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a particle separator, and
particularly to a particle separator for a gas turbine engine. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a plurality of
particle separators arranged to separate particles from a stream of
air entering an air intake of the engine.
[0002] Particle separators are provided to separate undesirable
particles from a stream of air entering a gas turbine engine. Such
particles can adversely affect the internal working components of
the engine. Some engines are intended to operate in
particulate-laden environments, such as in dusty and sandy
locations. In these types of environments, a particle separator
capable of separating fine particles (e.g., particles having a
diameter of 2.5 microns) from the stream of air entering the engine
would help protect the engine.
[0003] According to the disclosure, an attachment is provided for
the air intake of a gas turbine engine to separate undesirable
particles from a stream of air entering the engine. The attachment
includes a plurality of particle separators adapted to be coupled
to the housing of the engine. The particle separators cooperate to
define an attachment axis and are spaced circumferentially about
the attachment axis. Each particle separator includes a housing
defining a separator axis, a first flow passage having at least a
portion that is annular, an annular opening, and an annular second
flow passage positioned in fluid communication with the annular
portion of the first flow passage through the opening.
[0004] The first flow passage and the second flow passage are
configured so that inertia of particles entrained in the stream of
air flowing through the annular portion of the first flow passage
tends to cause the particles to flow from the annular portion of
the first flow passage through the opening into the second flow
passage to allow the stream of air to enter the engine flow passage
from the first flow passage free of the particles removed
therefrom. The separator axes are parallel to and spaced apart from
the attachment axis.
[0005] In some illustrative embodiments, the attachment further
includes a particle discharger comprising a manifold defining a
third flow passage positioned to receive particles from the second
flow passages of at least two of the particle separators and a
blower coupled to the manifold to discharge particles from the
third flow passage. In another illustrative embodiment, the
attachment includes a plurality of particle dischargers wherein
each particle discharger is associated with only one of the
particle separators.
[0006] Additional features of the present invention will become
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration
of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments
exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as
presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The detailed description particularly refers to the
accompanying figures in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an attachment for the
air intake of a gas turbine engine showing the attachment including
four particle separators;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the attachment of FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of
FIG. 2 showing two of the four particle separators;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 3;
[0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view of one of the
particle separators, with portions broken away;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another attachment for the
air intake of a gas turbine engine showing the attachment including
five particle separators;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of yet another attachment for
the air intake of a gas turbine engine showing the attachment
including eight particle separators;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a particle discharger
for one of the attachments;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of another particle
discharger;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of yet another particle
discharger;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of yet another particle
discharger;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of four particle
dischargers, each particle discharger being provided for only one
of the particle separators;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of another particle
discharger; and
[0021] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of two particle
dischargers, each particle discharger being provided for two of the
particle separators.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] An attachment 10 is provided for an air intake 12 of a
housing 13 of a gas turbine engine 14, as illustrated, for example,
in FIGS. 1-4. Attachment 10 is configured to separate particles
from a stream of air flowing through attachment 10 before the air
stream enters engine 14 to protect the engine's working components
against potential damage from the removed particles.
[0023] Attachment 10 includes a plurality of inertial particles
separators 16 spaced circumferentially about an attachment axis 18
and adapted to be coupled to a air intake 12 of engine housing 13,
as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1-2. Each particle separator
16 is configured to separate the particles from the air that enters
an annular engine flow passage 20 defined by engine housing 13.
Attachment 10 includes four particle separators 16. Particle
separators 16 cooperate to define a space 19 through which a sleeve
23 extends. A drive shaft 21 of engine 14 extends through sleeve
23. Drive shaft 21 defines an axis of rotation which coincides with
attachment axis 18.
[0024] By providing a plurality of particle separators 16, the
particle separation efficiency of attachment 10 is increased
relative to an attachment having only one particle separator for
reasons discussed below. The structure of each particle separator
16 is discussed in more detail below.
[0025] Attachment 10 further includes at least one particle
discharger 22 configured to discharge particles removed from the
stream of air entering engine 14, as illustrated, for example, in
FIG. 8. Various means for discharging the removed particles are
discussed below.
[0026] Particle separators 16 are similar to one another in
structure and function. Thus, the description of one of particle
separator 16 applies also to the other particle separators 16.
[0027] Particle separator 16 includes a housing 35 defining a
separator axis 36 that is parallel to and spaced apart from
attachment axis 18, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 3-5.
Housing 35 further defines an annular inlet 40, a first outlet 42
positioned in fluid communication with engine flow passage 20, and
a first flow passage 46 extending from inlet 40 to first outlet 42.
Housing 35 also defines an annular opening 48, an annular second
outlet 44, and an annular second flow passage 50 positioned in
fluid communication with first flow passage 46 through opening 48
and extending from opening 48 to second outlet 44. Inlet 40, flow
passages 46, 50, outlets 42, 44, and opening 48 are concentric
about separator axis 36.
[0028] First flow passage 46 includes an annular portion 52
positioned in fluid communication with inlet 40 and a non-annular,
outlet portion 54 positioned in fluid communication with first
outlet 42, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 3-5. Annular
portion 52 includes an annular inlet portion 56 positioned upstream
of opening 48 and an annular intermediate portion 58 positioned
downstream of opening 48.
[0029] Housing 35 includes an outer sleeve or duct 24 and an inner
body 26, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1-5. Outer duct 24
defines an interior region 30. Inner body 26 is positioned in
interior region 30.
[0030] Outer duct 24 includes an axially forward portion 60, an
axially rearward portion 62, and a curved peak 64 coupled to
axially forward and rearward portions 60, 62, as illustrated, for
example, in FIGS. 3-5. Illustratively, a radius 92 of axially
forward portion 60 is about 3.59 inches. Rearward portion 62 is
positioned radially inwardly from axially forward portion 60.
[0031] Inner body 26 includes an axially forward portion 66, an
axially rearward cone 68, and a curved peak 70 coupled to axially
forward portion 66 and rearward cone 68, as illustrated, for
example, in FIGS. 3-5. Illustratively, a radius 90 of axially
forward portion 66 at inlet 40 is about 2.74 inches. Peak 70
includes a radially outermost portion 69. Illustratively, a radius
88 of radially outermost portion 69 is about 3.43 inches. Peaks 64,
70 cooperate to define a radially outwardly diverging portion of
particle separator 16.
[0032] Axially forward portion 60 of outer duct 24 and axially
forward portion 66 of inner body 26 may be cylindrical and have the
same axial length, although portions 60, 66 are illustrated as
being somewhat curved in FIGS. 3-5. In addition, the interface
between axially forward portion 60 and curved peak 64 of outer duct
24 and the interface between axially forward portion 66 and curved
peak 70 of inner body 26 may lie on the same plane transverse to
separator axis 36. Axially rearward portion 62 of outer duct 24 may
also be cylindrical, although portion 62 is illustrated as being
somewhat curved in FIGS. 3-5.
[0033] Housing 35 further includes a transition duct 28, as
illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1-5. Transition duct 28 includes
a partition portion 32 positioned in interior region 30. Partition
portion 32 includes a splitter 33 and a radially outer wall 37.
Splitter is arranged to help separate particles from the stream of
air entering engine 14. Radially outer wall 37 may be cylindrical,
although it is illustrated as being somewhat curved in FIGS. 3-5.
In addition, the interface between radially outer wall 37 and
splitter 33 and the interface between axially rearward portion 62
and curved peak 64 of outer duct 24 may lie on the same plane
transverse to separator axis 18. Illustratively, a distance between
axially rearward portion 62 of outer duct 24 and radially outer
wall 37 of partition portion 32 is about 0.17 inch.
[0034] Transition duct 28 further includes a diffuser portion 34
coupled to partition portion 32 and extending axially rearwardly
and radially inwardly from partition portion 32. Diffuser portion
34 is adapted to couple to air intake 12 of engine housing 13.
[0035] Outer duct 24, inner body 26, and partition portion 32
cooperate to define a separator section 71 of particle separator
16, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 3-5. Separator section 71
performs the particle separation function of particle separator 16
and defines separator axis 36. Diffuser portion 34 provides the
stream of air a smooth transition from separator section 71 to
engine flow passage 20.
[0036] Inner body 26, transition duct 28, axially forward portion
60 of outer duct 24, and curved peak 64 of outer duct 24 cooperate
to define first flow passage 46, as illustrated, for example, in
FIGS. 3-5. In particular, axially forward portion 60 of outer duct
24, curved peak 64 of outer duct 24, axially forward portion 66 of
inner body 26, and curved peak 70 of inner body 26 cooperate to
define annular inlet portion 46 of first flow passage 46. Partition
portion 32 of transition duct 28 and cone 68 cooperate to define
annular intermediate portion 58 of first flow passage 46. Diffuser
portion 34 defines non-annular, outlet portion 54 of first flow
passage 46 and first outlet 42.
[0037] Splitter 33 and curved peak 64 of outer duct 24 cooperate to
define opening 48, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 3-5.
Splitter 33 and curved peak 70 of inner body 26 cooperate to define
an annular opening 38 and a distance 72 across opening 38. The
significance of distance 72 is discussed below.
[0038] A plurality of struts 73 are spaced circumferentially about
separator axis 36 in intermediate portion 58 of first flow passage
46 to mount inner body 26 to partition portion 32 of transition
duct 28 for support of inner body 26, as illustrated, for example,
in FIGS. 3 and 5. Illustratively, six struts 73 are provided
although other numbers of struts 73 are within the scope of this
disclosure. Alternatively, struts 73 are spaced circumferentially
about separator axis 36 in inlet portion 56 of first flow passage
46 to mount inner body 26 to outer duct 24 for support of inner
body 26, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4.
[0039] A stream of air with particles entrained therein enters
particle separator 16 through inlet 40. The air stream and
particles flow through annular inlet portion 56 of first flow
passage 46. Peaks 64, 70 cooperate to turn the air stream and the
particles first radially outwardly and then radially inwardly.
Although some of the air flows through opening 48 into second flow
passage 50, most of the air flows into intermediate portion 58 of
first flow passage and continues on to engine flow passage 20.
However, because the particles are more dense than the air, the
inertia of the particles causes many of the particles to remain
radially outwardly from intermediate portion 58 and splitter 33 so
that those particles flow through opening 48 into second flow
passage 50 to prevent the removed particles from entering engine
flow passage 20.
[0040] Distance 72 between splitter 33 and peak 70 of inner body 26
affects the size of particulate for which separation occurs (see
FIG. 5). A larger distance 72 generally correlates to less particle
separation of smaller particles whereas a shorter distance 72
generally correlates to more particle separation of smaller
particles.
[0041] In addition, the rate at which each particle separator 16
turns the air as the air passes from inlet portion 56 of first flow
passage 46 to intermediate portion 58 of first flow passage 46 also
affects the size of particulate for which separation occurs. Slower
turning of the air generally correlates to a less particle
separation of smaller particles. On the other hand, rapid turning
of the air generally correlates to more particle separation of
smaller particles.
[0042] Changes to the geometric scale of particle separator 16
would alter both distance 72 and the turning rate simultaneously.
Uniform geometric scaling of particle separator 16 to smaller
dimensions generally correlates to particle separation of smaller
particles. Upon uniform geometric scaling of particle separator 16
to smaller dimensions, the flow rate in particle separator 16 must
be reduced to maintain the same pressure loss through particle
separator 16. To counter this decrease in flow rate without
increasing the pressure loss across attachment 10, attachment 10
provides a plurality of particle separators 16 to handle a greater
flow rate for engine 14. Thus, providing a plurality of uniformly
geometrically reduced particle separators 16 enhances small
particle separation without incurring a pressure loss penalty
across attachment 10 or requiring a reduction in the overall flow
rate through air intake 12 of housing 13 of gas turbine engine
14.
[0043] Particle separators 16 are spaced at equal arcuate intervals
about attachment axis 18, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1
and 2. Thus, when attachment 10 has four particle separators 16,
the arcuate spacing is about 90.degree.. In addition, separator
axes are spaced equidistantly from attachment axis 18, as
illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 3-5. Inlets 40 of particle
separators 16 face axially forwardly and are positioned on a plane
transverse to attachment axis 10.
[0044] Diffuser portions 34 of circumferentially adjacent particle
separators 16 abut one another near respective first outlets 42, as
illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1. Diffuser portions 34 cooperate
to define a ring that aligns with engine flow passage 20 so that
first outlets 42 are positioned in fluid communication with engine
flow passage 20.
[0045] Particle discharger 22 includes a manifold 74 coupled to
each of particle separators 16 and a blower 76 coupled to manifold
74, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 8. Manifold 74 defines a
third flow passage 78 positioned in fluid communication with each
of second outlets 44. Blower 76 is configured to draw particles
from second flow passages 50 through second outlets 44 into third
flow passage 78 to discharge particles therefrom outside of
attachment 10.
[0046] Manifold 74 includes a four scrolls 80, one for each
particle separator 16, and a connector 82 coupled to each of
scrolls 80 and blower 76. Scrolls 80 and connector 82 cooperate to
define third flow passage 78.
[0047] Each scroll 80 is coupled to housing 35 of one of particle
separators 16 at respective second outlet 44. Each scroll 80
enlarges as it extends circumferentially about respective housing
35 from respective second outlet 44 to connector 82. Two of scrolls
80 extend circumferentially in a clockwise manner about respective
housing 35 whereas two scrolls 80 extend circumferentially in a
counter-clockwise manner about respective housing 35. For purposes
of this disclosure and the attached claims, the terms "clockwise"
and "counter-clockwise" are relative to respective separator axis
36 as one looks rearwardly along that axis.
[0048] Connector 82 includes a first branch 84 and a second branch
86. Both branches 84, 86 are coupled to blower 76. The two
clockwise scrolls 80 are coupled to first branch 84 to empty its
contents therein. The two counter-clockwise scrolls 80 are coupled
to second branch 86 to empty its contents therein. Branches 84 and
86 are positioned in a parallel flow arrangement.
[0049] Relative to attachment axis 18, connector 82 is positioned
radially outwardly from the four scrolls 80. In particular, first
branch 84 is positioned radially outwardly from the two clockwise
scrolls 80 and second branch 86 is positioned radially outwardly
from the two counter-clockwise scrolls 80.
[0050] In another embodiment, a particle discharger 122 is provided
to discharge particles removed from the stream of air entering
engine 14, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 9. Particle
discharger 122 includes a manifold 174 coupled to each of particle
separators 16 and a blower 176 coupled to manifold 174. Manifold
174 defines a third flow passage 178 positioned in fluid
communication with each of second outlets 44. Blower 176 is
configured to draw particles from second flow passages 50 through
second outlets 44 into third flow passage 178 to discharge
particles therefrom outside of attachment 10.
[0051] Manifold 174 includes four scrolls 180, one for each
particle separator 16, and a connector 182 coupled to each of
scrolls 180 and blower 176. Scrolls 180 and connector 182 cooperate
to define third flow passage 178. Relative to attachment axis 18,
connector 182 is positioned radially outwardly from the four
scrolls 180.
[0052] Each scroll 180 is coupled to housing 35 of one of particle
separators 16 at respective second outlet 44. Each scroll 180
enlarges as it extends circumferentially in a clockwise manner
about respective housing 35 from respective second outlet 44 to
connector 182. All four scrolls 180 extend clockwise about
respective separator axis 36.
[0053] Connector 182 includes a first branch 184, a second branch
186, a third branch 188, and a fourth branch 190 coupled to blower
176. Branches 182, 184, 186, 188 are positioned in a series flow
arrangement. A first of scrolls 180 empties directly into first
branch 182. A second of scrolls 180 empties directly into second
branch 184. A third of scrolls 180 empties directly into third
branch 186. A fourth of scrolls 180 empties directly into fourth
branch 188.
[0054] In yet another embodiment, a particle discharger 222 is
provided to discharge particles removed from the stream of air
entering engine 14, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 10.
Particle discharger 222 includes a manifold 274 coupled to each of
particle separators 16 and a blower 276 coupled to manifold 274.
Manifold 274 defines a third flow passage 278 positioned in fluid
communication with each of second outlets 44. Blower 276 is
configured to draw particles from second flow passages 50 through
second outlets 44 into third flow passage 278 to discharge
particles therefrom outside of attachment 10.
[0055] Manifold 274 includes four scrolls 280, one for each
particle separator 16, and a connector 282 coupled to each of
scrolls 280 and blower 276. Scrolls 280 and connector 282 cooperate
to define third flow passage 278.
[0056] Each scroll 180 is coupled to housing 35 of one of particle
separators 16 at respective second outlet 44. Each scroll 180
enlarges as it extends circumferentially about respective housing
35 from respective second outlet 44 to connector 182. Two of
scrolls 280 extend circumferentially in a clockwise manner about
respective housing 35 whereas two of scrolls 80 extend
circumferentially in a counter-clockwise manner about respective
housing 35.
[0057] Connector 282 includes a first branch 284, a second branch
286, and a third branch 288 coupled to blower 276. A first of
scrolls 280 empties directly into first branch 284. A second of
scrolls 280 empties directly into second branch 286. A third and a
fourth of scrolls 280 empty directly into third branch 288. First
and second branches also empty into third branch 288. First and
second branches 284, 286 are positioned in a space 290 radially
inwardly from particle separators 16 relative to attachment axis
18.
[0058] In yet another embodiment, a particle discharger 322 is
provided to discharge particles removed from the stream of air
entering engine 14, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 11.
Particle discharger 322 includes a manifold 374 coupled to each of
particle separators 16 and a blower 376 coupled to manifold 374.
Manifold 374 defines a third flow passage 378 positioned in fluid
communication with each of second outlets 44. Blower 376 is
configured to draw particles from second flow passages 50 through
second outlets 44 into third flow passage 378 to discharge
particles therefrom outside of attachment 10.
[0059] Manifold 374 includes four scrolls 380, one for each
particle separator 16, and a connector 382 coupled to each of
scrolls 380 and blower 376. Scrolls 380 and connector 382 cooperate
to define third flow passage 378.
[0060] Each scroll 380 is coupled to housing 35 of one of particle
separators 16 at respective second outlet 44. Each scroll 380
enlarges as it extends circumferentially about respective housing
35 from respective second outlet 44 to connector 382. All four
scrolls 380 extend circumferentially in a clockwise manner about
respective housing 35.
[0061] Connector 382 includes a shell 384 defining an interior
chamber 386 and an outlet branch 388 coupled to blower 376. Shell
384 and outlet branch 376 cooperate to define third flow passage
378. Shell 284 includes four inlet apertures 394 and an outlet
aperture 396. Each scroll 280 empties its contents into chamber 286
through one of the inlet apertures. The particles then flow from
chamber 386 through the outlet aperture, outlet branch 388, and
blower 376.
[0062] Shell 384 is positioned in a space 390 defined radially
inwardly from each of particle separators 16 relative to attachment
axis 18. Outlet branch 388 extends through a space 392 defined
between a pair of particle separators 16.
[0063] In yet another embodiment, two particle dischargers 422 are
provided to discharge particles removed from the stream of air
entering engine 14, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 14.
Particle dischargers 422 are similar in structure and function to
one another so the description of one of particle dischargers 422
also applies to the other particle discharger 422.
[0064] Particle discharger 422 includes a manifold 474 coupled to
two of particle separators 16 and a blower 476 coupled to manifold
474. Manifold 474 defines a third flow passage 478 positioned in
fluid communication with two of second outlets 44. Blower 476 is
configured to draw particles from respective second flow passages
50 through respective second outlets 44 into third flow passage 478
to discharge particles therefrom outside of attachment 10.
[0065] Manifold 474 includes two scrolls 480, one for each of
respective particle separators 16, and a connector 482 coupled to
scrolls 480 and blower 476. Scrolls 480 and connector 482 cooperate
to define third flow passage 478. Scrolls 480 empty directly into
connector 482.
[0066] Each scroll 480 is coupled to housing 35 of one of particle
separators 16 at respective second outlet 44. Each scroll 480
enlarges as it extends circumferentially about respective housing
35 from respective second outlet 44 to connector 482. One of the
two scrolls 480 extends circumferentially in a clockwise manner
about respective housing 35 whereas the other one of the two
scrolls 480 extends circumferentially in a counter-clockwise manner
about respective housing 35.
[0067] Particle dischargers 422 are arranged so that connectors 482
and blowers 476 are positioned diametrically opposite to one
another relative to attachment axis 18.
[0068] In yet another embodiment, four particle dischargers 522 are
provided to discharge particles removed from the stream of air
entering engine 14, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 12. Each
particle discharger 522 is associated with only one of particle
separators 16. Particle dischargers 522 are similar in structure
and function to one another so the description of one of particle
dischargers 522 also applies to the other particle dischargers
522.
[0069] Particle discharger 522 includes a manifold 574 coupled to
respective particle separator 16 and a blower 576 coupled to
manifold 574. Manifold 574 defines a third flow passage 578
positioned in fluid communication with respective second outlet 44.
Blower 576 is configured to draw particles from respective second
flow passage 50 through respective second outlet 44 into third flow
passage 578 to discharge particles therefrom outside of attachment
10.
[0070] Manifold 574 includes one scroll 580 for respective particle
separator 16 and a connector 582 coupled to scroll 580 and blower
576. Scroll 580 and connector 582 cooperate to define third flow
passage 578. Scroll 580 empties directly into connector 582.
[0071] Scroll 580 is coupled to housing 35 of respective particle
separator 16 at respective second outlet 44. Scroll 580 enlarges as
it extends circumferentially about respective housing 35 from
respective second outlet 44 to connector 582. Scroll 580 extends
circumferentially in a clockwise manner about respective housing
35.
[0072] In yet another embodiment, a scroll-less particle discharger
622 is provided to discharge particles removed from the stream of
air entering engine 14, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 13.
Particle discharger 622 is associated with each of particle
separators 16.
[0073] Particle discharger 622 includes a manifold 674 associated
with each of particle separators 16 and a blower 676 coupled to
manifold 674. Manifold 674 includes a shell 684 and an outlet
branch coupled to shell 684.
[0074] Shell 684 defines an interior chamber 685. Each particle
separator 16 is positioned in interior chamber 685 so that shell
684 surrounds each particle separator 16. Shell 684 is formed to
include an outlet aperture 688 to allow communication between
interior chamber 685 and outlet branch 686.
[0075] Blower 676 draws air and particles from second flow passages
50 through second outlets 44 into interior chamber 685. Blower 676
further draws the air and particles from interior chamber through
outlet aperture 68 and outlet branch 686 to discharge particles
outside of attachment 10.
[0076] In an alternative embodiment of attachment 10, an attachment
710 has five particle separators 716, as illustrated, for example,
in FIG. 6. This allows distance 72 to be further reduced for
effective particle separation. Inlets 40 of particle separators 16
are aligned on a plane transverse to attachment axis 18. Each
particle separator 716 is similar in structure and function to
particle separator 16 except that particle separator 716 is smaller
than particle separator 16.
[0077] In yet another alternative embodiment of attachment 10, an
attachment 810 has eight particle separators 816, as illustrated,
for example, in FIG. 7. This allows further reduction of distance
72. Circumferentially adjacent particle separators of attachment
810 are axially offset from one another. In particular, four
particle separators 816 are aligned on a first plane transverse to
attachment axis 18 and the other four particle separators 816 are
aligned on a second plane transverse to attachment axis 18 wherein
the second plane is offset axially from the first plane.
[0078] Each particle separator 816 is similar in structure and
function to particle separator 16 except that each particle
separator 816 is smaller in size than particle separator 16. In
addition, some of particle separators 816 have a relatively short
transition duct 828 while the other particle separators 816 have a
relatively long transition duct 828'.
[0079] Although attachments having 4, 5, and 6 particle separators
have been disclosed herein, the attachment may have other numbers
of particle separators. In general, it is believed that the
attachment may be provided with three to 20 particle
separators.
[0080] It is believed that the attachments described herein can
separate crushed quartz particles having a diameter of 2.5 microns
or greater from a stream of air having a flow rate of 12.5 lbm/sec
with a pressure loss of no more than 1.5% across the attachment.
The bulk air flow velocity through annular opening 38 can be
between 0.4 Mach and 0.8 Mach. It is believed that the attachments
disclosed herein can separate other particles besides crushed
quartz, although the size of those particles may differ from 2.5
microns.
[0081] It will be appreciated that the actual dimensions of each
attachment, and in particular the particle separators of each
attachment, will be dictated by a wide variety of parameters.
Typically, a design engineer will use computer-aided design
techniques to run computer simulations and vary the dimensions to
tailor the particle separators to the specific application. While
FIGS. 1-7 show generally representative proportioning of three
attachments 10, 710, and 810 for a single application, it will be
appreciated that the dimensions will change with varying
applications.
[0082] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to certain illustrative embodiments, variations and
modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as
described and defined in the following claims.
* * * * *