Abstract:
A gas turbine engine includes a buffer system that can communicate a buffer supply air to a portion of the gas turbine engine. The buffer system includes a first bleed air supply having a first pressure, a second bleed air supply having a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure, and an ejector that selectively augments the first bleed air supply to prepare the buffer supply air for communication to the portion of the gas turbine engine.
Abstract:
A gas turbine engine includes a buffer system that includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit can communicate a first buffer supply air to a first portion of the gas turbine engine and the second circuit can communicate a second buffer supply air to a second portion of the gas turbine engine.
Abstract:
The clearance between the outer gas seal of a gas turbine engine and the periphery of the turbine rotor is controlled by selectively turning on and off or modulating the cool air supply which is directed in proximity to the gas seal supporting structure so as to control its thermal growth. The cooling causes shrinkage thereby holding the clearance low and effectively reducing fuel consumption.
Abstract:
A gas turbine engine includes a bearing structure mounted to the front center body case structure to rotationally support a shaft driven by a geared architecture. A bearing compartment passage structure is in communication with the bearing structure through a front center body case structure.
Abstract:
A gas turbine engine includes a first zone and a second zone downstream from the first zone. A buffer system can communicate a buffer cooling air to at least the first zone. A bleed source can communicate a bleed air to the second zone.
Abstract:
A gas turbine engine (20) includes a buffer system (60; 160; 260) that communicates a buffer supply air (62; 162; 262A, 262B) to a portion of the gas turbine engine (20). The buffer system (60; 160; 260) includes a first bleed air supply (64; 164; 264A, 264B) having a first pressure, a second bleed air supply (66; 166; 266A, 266B) having a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure, and a valve that selects between the first bleed air supply (64; 164; 264A, 264B) and the second bleed air supply (66; 166; 266A, 266B) to communicate the buffer supply air (62; 162; 262A, 262B) to the portion of the gas turbine engine (20).
Abstract:
A gas turbine engine configured to rotate in a circumferential direction about an axis extending through a center of the gas turbine engine comprises a turbine stage. The turbine stage comprises a disk, a plurality of blades and a mini-disk. The disk comprises an outer diameter edge having slots, an inner diameter bore surrounding the axis, a forward face, and an aft face. The plurality of blades is coupled to the slots. The mini-disk is coupled to the aft face of the rotor to define a cooling plenum therebetween in order to direct cooling air to the slots. In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling plenum is connected to a radially inner compressor bleed air inlet through all rotating components so that cooling air passes against the inner diameter bore.
Abstract:
A gas turbine engine includes a buffer system that includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit can communicate a first buffer supply air to a first portion of the gas turbine engine and the second circuit can communicate a second buffer supply air to a second portion of the gas turbine engine.
Abstract:
A buffer system for a gas turbine engine includes a heat exchanger having a first inlet and outlet and a second inlet and outlet. The first outlet is configured to provide a cooled pressurized fluid. First and second air sources are selectively fluidly coupled to the first inlet. A third air source is fluidly coupled to the second inlet. Multiple fluid-supplied areas are located remotely from one another and are fluidly coupled to the first outlet. The multiple fluid-supplied areas include multiple bearing compartments. A method of providing pressurized air in a gas turbine engine includes selectively providing pressurized air from multiple air sources to a heat exchanger to cool the pressurized air. The cooled pressurized air is distributed to multiple fluid-supplied areas within the gas turbine engine.
Abstract:
A gas turbine engine includes a buffer system that can communicate buffer supply air to a portion of the gas turbine engine. The buffer system can include a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit selects between a first bleed air supply having a first pressure and a second bleed air supply having a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure to render a first buffer supply air having an intermediate pressure. The second circuit selects between a third bleed air supply and a fourth bleed air supply to communicate a second buffer supply air.