초록 ▼

Disclosed are a cooling air modulation apparatus for and method of operation for a gas turbine engine which are effective for increasing engine operating efficiency. According to one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a first inducer means effective for channeling a first portion of

Disclosed are a cooling air modulation apparatus for and method of operation for a gas turbine engine which are effective for increasing engine operating efficiency. According to one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a first inducer means effective for channeling a first portion of cooling air to a rotor component during both first and second modes of operation of the engine. A second inducer means is also provided and is effective for channeling a second portion of the cooling air to the rotor component. Valve means are provided for selectively modulating the amount of cooling air flowing through the second inducer for preventing flow therethrough during the first mode of operation and for allowing unrestricted flow therethrough during the second mode of operation.

대표청구항 ▼

For a gas turbine engine operable in first and second modes of operation and including a rotor component to be cooled, a compressor effective for providing pressurized cooling air, and a combustor effective for providing combustion gases, a cooling air modulation apparatus comprising: a first tangen

For a gas turbine engine operable in first and second modes of operation and including a rotor component to be cooled, a compressor effective for providing pressurized cooling air, and a combustor effective for providing combustion gases, a cooling air modulation apparatus comprising: a first tangential flow accelerator effective for channeling a first portion of said cooling air in a substantially circumferentially uniform flow to an annular manifold in said rotor component during both said first and second modes of operation; a second tangential flow accelerator effective for channeling a second portion of said cooling air to said manifold; and a valve means effective for selectively modulating the amount of said second portion of cooling air flowing through said second tangential flow accelerator for preventing flow therethrough during said first mode of operation and flow allowing substantially unrestricted flow therethrough during said second mode of operation.