초록 ▼

A thin wall cooling system has multiple in-wall channels traversing a thin wall structure such as the wall of a gas turbine engine blade or vane. The blade has a hollow interior that may be divided into multiple cavities. Coolant is introduced into an entry opening of each in-wall channel and then d

A thin wall cooling system has multiple in-wall channels traversing a thin wall structure such as the wall of a gas turbine engine blade or vane. The blade has a hollow interior that may be divided into multiple cavities. Coolant is introduced into an entry opening of each in-wall channel and then discharged through exit openings into the vane cavities. The coolant then exits the cavities by through wall channels to discharge the coolant to form a cool air film on the external surface of the blade. This combination allows improved cooling control for structures that experience an elevated temperature environment, as for example, the flow of hot gas across the exterior surface of a gas turbine engine blade.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A thin wall cooling system for an airfoil structure having an inner surface opposing an outer surface, the outer surface exposed to an elevated temperature environment and the inner surface defining an inner cavity, the airfoil structure further having a first edge opposing a second edge, the thi

1. A thin wall cooling system for an airfoil structure having an inner surface opposing an outer surface, the outer surface exposed to an elevated temperature environment and the inner surface defining an inner cavity, the airfoil structure further having a first edge opposing a second edge, the thin wall cooling system comprising:a plurality of in-wall channels formed between the opposing surfaces and extending from the first edge to the second edge, each in-wall channel having an entry opening and an exit opening, the plurality of in-wall channels divided into a first group of in-wall channels and a second group of in-wall channels, each in-wall channel in the first group having its entry opening generally located at the first edge, each in-wall channel in the second group having its entry opening generally located at the second edge, a first exit opening formed as a slot alternating with a crossover channel at an adjacent entry opening; a cooling fluid provided to the entry openings; and a cooling fluid exit structure providing fluid communication between the exit openings and the inner cavity; whereby a counterflow structure is established by the cooling fluid in the first group flowing in an opposite direction to the cooling fluid in the second group.