GAS TURBINE ENGINE WITH REVERSIBLE HEAT EXCHANGER

Abstract

A gas turbine engine system includes a gas turbine engine having a fan bypass duct, a heat exchanger system, and a flow transfer unit configured to selectively allow or preclude flow between the fan bypass duct and the heat exchanger system. A controller is coupled to and configured to vary the state of one or more of a fan exit nozzle, a heat exchanger exit nozzle, and a flow control valve controlling flow between the fan bypass duct and the heat exchanger system.

Claims

1. A gas turbine engine system comprising: a gas turbine engine configured to provide thrust for propelling an aircraft, the gas turbine engine system including an engine core, a fan bypass duct, a first propulsor in the form of a fan, and a fan exit nozzle, the engine core including a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine arranged along an axis, the fan bypass duct arranged annularly around the engine core and having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, the fan coupled to the turbine for rotation therewith and configured to propel air from atmosphere through the fan bypass duct to provide the thrust in a first direction, the fan exit nozzle located at the first outlet of the fan bypass duct, and the fan exit nozzle reconfigurable between a first configuration wherein the fan exit nozzle diffuses air flow through the fan exit nozzle to reduce the thrust in the first direction and a second configuration wherein the fan exit nozzle concentrates air flow through the fan exit nozzle to increase the thrust in the first direction; a heat exchanger system configured to provide cooling for the gas turbine engine, the heat exchanger system including a heat exchanger duct, a heat exchanger exit nozzle, and a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger duct being radially spaced from the fan bypass duct relative to the axis and having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet, the heat exchanger exit nozzle located at the outlet of the heat exchanger duct and reconfigurable between a first configuration wherein the heat exchanger exit nozzle allows or increases air flow through the heat exchanger exit nozzle and a second configuration wherein the heat exchanger exit nozzle restricts or reduces air flow through the heat exchanger exit nozzle, and the heat exchanger disposed within the heat exchanger duct between the first inlet and the outlet of the heat exchanger duct; and a flow transfer unit configured to selectively provide fluid communication between the heat exchanger duct and the fan bypass duct, the flow transfer unit including a transfer duct connected between the fan bypass duct and the heat exchanger duct, and a flow control valve coupled with the transfer duct and configured to selectively allow or restrict air flow between the fan bypass duct and the heat exchanger duct.

2. The gas turbine engine system of claim 1, further comprising a controller connected to the fan exit nozzle, the heat exchanger exit nozzle, and the flow control valve, the controller configured to operate the gas turbine engine in one of a thrust mode and a reverse thrust mode.

3. The gas turbine engine system of claim 2, wherein the fan exit nozzle is in the second configuration, the heat exchanger exit nozzle is in the second configuration, and the flow control valve is open to allow airflow between the fan bypass duct and the heat exchanger duct in response to the controller operating the gas turbine engine in the reverse thrust mode.

4. The gas turbine engine system of claim 2, wherein the fan exit nozzle is in the first configuration, the heat exchanger exit nozzle is in the first configuration, and the flow control valve is closed to restrict airflow between the fan bypass duct and the heat exchanger duct in response to the controller operating the gas turbine engine in the thrust mode.

5. The gas turbine engine system of claim 2 wherein air flows into the heat exchanger duct through the first inlet and exits the heat exchanger duct through the outlet in response to the controller operating the gas turbine engine in the thrust mode.

6. The gas turbine engine system of claim 5 wherein the air exits the heat exchanger duct in a direction substantially the same as the first direction.

7. The gas turbine engine system of claim 2 wherein air flows into the heat exchanger duct through the second inlet and exits the heat exchanger duct through the first inlet in response to the controller operating the gas turbine engine in the reverse thrust mode.

8. The gas turbine engine system of claim 7 wherein the air exits the heat exchanger duct in a direction substantially opposite the first direction.

9. The gas turbine engine system of claim 2 wherein the flow control valve and the heat exchanger exit nozzle are embodied as a single unit.

10. A gas turbine engine system comprising: a gas turbine engine that includes an engine core, a fan bypass duct, a fan, and a fan exit nozzle, the fan bypass duct arranged annularly around the engine core, the fan configured to propel air through the fan bypass duct, and the fan exit nozzle located at an outlet of the fan bypass duct and configured to move between a first thrust position and a second thrust position; a heat exchanger system that includes a heat exchanger duct and a heat exchanger disposed within the heat exchanger duct; and a flow transfer unit that includes a transfer duct fluidly connected between the fan bypass duct and the heat exchanger duct and a flow control valve configured to selectively allow or block fluid communication between the fan bypass duct and the heat exchanger duct.

11. The gas turbine engine system of claim 10, further comprising a controller connected to the fan exit nozzle and the flow control valve, the controller configured to operate the gas turbine engine in one of a thrust mode and a reverse thrust mode.

12. The gas turbine engine system of claim 11, wherein the flow control valve further is configured to allow fluid communication through an outlet of the heat exchanger when the flow control valve blocks fluid communication between the fan bypass duct and the heat exchanger duct, and wherein the flow control valve further is configured to block fluid communication through the outlet of the heat exchanger when the flow control valve allows fluid communication between the fan bypass duct and the heat exchanger duct.

13. The gas turbine engine system of claim 12, wherein air flows into the heat exchanger duct through a first inlet of the heat exchanger duct and exits the heat exchanger duct through the outlet in response to the controller operating the gas turbine engine in the thrust mode, and wherein air flows into the heat exchanger duct through a second inlet of the heat exchanger duct and exits the heat exchanger duct through the first inlet in response to the controller operating the gas turbine engine in the reverse thrust mode.

14. The gas turbine engine system of claim 13, wherein the fan exit nozzle is in the first thrust position in response to the controller operating the gas turbine engine in the thrust mode, and wherein the fan exit nozzle is in the second thrust position in response to the controller operating the gas turbine engine in the reverse thrust mode.

15. The gas turbine engine system of claim 14, wherein the gas turbine engine produces greater thrust in a first direction when the fan exit nozzle is in the first thrust position, and wherein the gas turbine engine produces lesser thrust in the first direction when the fan exit nozzle is in the second thrust position.

16. The gas turbine engine system of claim 11, wherein the heat exchanger system includes a heat exchanger exit nozzle configured to allow flow through an outlet of the heat exchanger duct in response to the controller operating the gas turbine engine in the thrust mode, and wherein the heat exchanger exit nozzle further is configured to block flow through the outlet of the heat exchanger duct in response to the controller operating the gas turbine engine in the reverse thrust mode.

17. A method of operating a gas turbine engine comprising: providing a gas turbine engine having an engine core, a fan bypass duct arranged annularly around the engine core, a fan coupled to the engine core, and a fan exit nozzle, the fan configured to propel air from atmosphere through the fan bypass duct and the fan exit nozzle to provide thrust in a first direction, a heat exchanger duct radially spaced from the fan bypass duct, the heat exchanger duct having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet, a heat exchanger disposed within the heat exchanger duct, and a transfer duct connected between and in selective fluid communication with the fan bypass duct and the heat exchanger duct, the method comprising: blocking flow from the fan bypass duct to the heat exchanger duct, and allowing flow into the heat exchanger duct from the first inlet and out of the heat exchanger duct through the outlet in a thrust mode of operation; and allowing flow from the fan bypass duct into the heat exchanger duct via the transfer duct and the second inlet, and out of the heat exchanger duct through the first inlet, while restricting or blocking flow through the outlet in a reverse thrust mode of operation.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising configuring the fan exit nozzle in a first configuration in the thrust mode of operation and configuring the fan exit nozzle in a second configuration in the reverse thrust mode of operation.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the gas turbine engine produces greater thrust in a first direction when the fan exit nozzle is in the first thrust position, and wherein the gas turbine engine produces lesser thrust in the first direction when the fan exit nozzle is in the second thrust position.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein flow exiting the heat exchanger produces thrust in the first direction in the thrust mode of operation and flow exiting the heat exchanger produces thrust in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction in the reverse thrust mode of operation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a gas turbine engine system in accordance with the present disclosure showing that the gas turbine engine system includes a gas turbine engine including a first propulsor, a heat exchanger system located radially outward of the gas turbine engine, a flow transfer unit, a second propulsor, and a gearbox connecting the second propulsor to an output shaft of the gas turbine engine;

[0033] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the gas turbine engine system of FIG. 1 showing the gas turbine engine system in a first or thrust mode of operation in which a fan exit nozzle of the gas turbine engine is configured to provide thrust in a first direction, a heat exchanger exit nozzle of the heat exchanger is configured to allow airflow therethrough, and a flow control valve of the flow transfer unit is closed to restrict or preclude airflow through a transfer duct of the flow transfer unit;

[0034] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the gas turbine engine system of FIG. 1 showing the gas turbine engine system in a second or reverse thrust mode of operation in which the fan exit nozzle is configured to reduce thrust in the first direction, the heat exchanger exit nozzle of the heat exchanger is configured to restrict or preclude airflow therethrough, and a flow control valve of the flow transfer unit is open to enable airflow through the transfer duct of the flow transfer unit;

[0035] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative gas turbine engine system according to the present disclosure and similar to the gas turbine engine system of FIG. 1 but including an alternative flow control valve in lieu of the flow control valve and heat exchanger exit nozzle shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with the alternative gas turbine engine system in a first or thrust mode of operation in which the fan exit nozzle of the gas turbine engine is configured to provide thrust in a first direction and the alternative flow control valve is configured to allow airflow through an outlet of the heat exchanger duct and to restrict or preclude airflow through the transfer duct of the flow transfer unit; and

[0036] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the alternative gas turbine engine system of FIG. 4 in a second or reverse thrust mode of operation in which the fan exit nozzle of the gas turbine engine is configured to reduce thrust in the first direction and the alternative flow control valve is configured to restrict or preclude airflow through the outlet of the heat exchanger duct and to allow airflow through the transfer duct of the flow transfer unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to a number of illustrative embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.

[0038] A gas turbine engine system 10 according to the present disclosure includes a gas turbine engine 12, a heat exchanger system 14, and a flow transfer unit 16 selectively coupling the gas turbine engine 12 and the heat exchanger system 14 in fluid communication with each other, as suggested in FIGS. 1-6.

[0039] The gas turbine engine 12 includes a first propulsor or fan 18 that may provide thrust in a first direction A, for example, for propelling an aircraft as suggested in FIG. 1. The gas turbine engine system 10 may include a second propulsor 20, for example, a propeller. The second propulsor 20 may be selectively connected to an output shaft or turboshaft 22 of the gas turbine engine 12 directly or through an intermediate gearbox 24 and a second propulsor shaft 26. The gearbox 24 may be configured to change the direction of torque produced by the gas turbine engine 12 and input thereto by the turboshaft 22 through an angle , for example, an angle of about 90 degrees so that the second propulsor shaft 26 rotates at the angle with respect to the turboshaft 22. In such an embodiment, the gas turbine engine system 10 may be selectively operated in a turbofan fan mode in which the first propulsor 18 provides thrust in the first direction A to propel an aircraft and a turboshaft mode in which the second propulsor 20 provides thrust in a second direction B to lift the aircraft.

[0040] The gas turbine engine 12 includes the fan 18, an engine core 28, a fan bypass duct 30 arranged annularly around the engine core 28 and defined in part by an engine housing 32, and an adjustable fan exit nozzle 34. The engine core 28 includes a compressor 36, a combustor 38, and a turbine 40. The turbine 40 is coupled by a shaft or spool to the turbofan 18. The turbine 40 also may be similarly coupled to the turboshaft 22. The fan exit nozzle 34 is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the fan exit nozzle diffuses airflow therethrough to reduce the thrust in the first direction A (as shown in FIG. 3), and a second configuration in which the fan exit nozzle concentrates and accelerates airflow therethrough to increase the thrust in the first direction A (as shown in FIG. 2).

[0041] The heat exchanger system 14 includes a heat exchanger duct 42, a heat exchanger 44 disposed within the heat exchanger duct 42, and an adjustable heat exchanger exit nozzle 46 as shown in FIG. 2. The heat exchanger duct 42 includes a first inlet 48, a second inlet 50, and an outlet 52. The first and second inlets 48, 50 are reversible, as suggested by FIGS. 2-6 and as will be discussed further below. The first inlet 48 may be, but need not be, a NACA inlet.

[0042] The heat exchanger 44 is located between the first inlet 48, the second inlet 50, and the outlet 52 so that cooling air may selectively flow (i) into the heat exchanger duct 42 through the first inlet 48, through the heat exchanger 44, and out of the heat exchanger duct 42 through the second inlet 50; (ii) into the heat exchanger duct 42 through the second inlet 50, through the heat exchanger 44, and out of the heat exchanger duct through the first inlet 48; or (iii) into the heat exchanger duct 42 through the first inlet 48, through the heat exchanger 44, and out of the heat exchanger duct 42 through the outlet 52, as suggested by FIGS. 2-6 and as will be discussed further below.

[0043] The heat exchanger exit nozzle 46 is located at the outlet 52. The heat exchanger exit nozzle 46 is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the heat exchanger exit nozzle 46 allows or increases airflow therethrough, and a second configuration in which the heat exchanger exit nozzle 46 restricts, decreases or substantially precludes airflow therethrough. The heat exchanger 44 includes a fluid inlet 54 and a fluid outlet 56 configured, respectively, to receive and return fluids to be cooled by the heat exchanger 44. Such fluids may be oil, fuel, or other suitable alternatives. Illustratively, the heat exchanger 44 is an air-fluid heat exchanger 44.

[0044] The flow transfer unit 16 includes a transfer duct 58 connected between and in fluid communication with the fan bypass duct 30 via a port 60 in the housing 32 and the second inlet 50 of the heat exchanger duct 42 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The flow transfer unit 16 also includes a flow control valve 62 disposed within the transfer duct 58. The flow control valve 62 is shown in the drawings as a butterfly valve, but it may be embodied as any suitable form of valve, damper, flap, inflatable bladder, or other airflow control device. The flow control valve 62 is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the flow control valve 62 is closed, thereby restricting or precluding airflow through the transfer duct 58 (as shown in FIG. 2), and a second configuration in which the flow control valve is open, thereby allowing or enabling increased airflow through the transfer duct (as shown in FIG. 3). The flow control valve 62 can be varied between a plurality of partially opened orientations between the closed and fully open positions.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows the gas turbine engine system 10 configured in a first mode or thrust mode. The thrust mode may be employed in connection with the aircraft in normal flight (horizontal movement to produce lift). As such, it may be desired to have a large amount of thrust in the first direction A.

[0046] In the thrust mode, the flow control valve 62 is in the first configuration, thereby reducing or precluding airflow through the transfer duct 58. As such, air propelled by the fan 18 is driven through the bypass duct 30 and out of the gas turbine engine 12 through the fan exit nozzle 34, with little or none of the air flowing through the transfer duct 58. The air driven through the bypass duct may be combined with the air flowing through the engine core 28 prior to exiting the gas turbine engine 12 through the fan exit nozzle 34. The fan exit nozzle 34 is in the second configuration to concentrate or accelerate flow through the fan exit nozzle, thereby providing or increasing thrust in the first direction A. The heat exchanger exit nozzle 46 is in the first configuration, thereby allowing air to flow axially therethrough from the inlet 48 to the outlet 52.

[0047] In the first configuration, the heat exchanger exit nozzle 46 may be, but need not be, configured to concentrate or accelerate the air flowing therethrough to provide additional thrust in the first direction A. In the thrust mode, cooling air enters the heat exchanger duct 58 through the first inlet 48, passes through the heat exchanger 44, and exits the heat exchanger through the outlet 52 and the heat exchanger exit nozzle 46. Little or no air flows through the transfer duct 58.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows the gas turbine engine system 10 configured in a second mode or reverse thrust mode. The reverse thrust mode may be employed with the aircraft taking off or landing vertically. As such, it may be desirable to have low or zero net thrust in the first direction A.

[0049] In the reverse thrust mode, the flow control valve 62 is in the second configuration, thereby allowing some or all of the air propelled by the fan 18 to be driven from the fan bypass duct 30 into and through the transfer duct 58, while any remaining air passing through the bypass duct 30 exits the fan bypass duct and the gas turbine engine 12 through the fan exit nozzle 34. The air driven through the bypass duct may be combined with the air flow through the engine core 28 prior to exiting the gas turbine engine 12 through the fan exit nozzle 34. The fan exit nozzle 34 is in the first configuration to diffuse airflow through the fan exit nozzle, thereby reducing thrust in the first direction A as suggested by arrow 70. The thrust in the first direction A may be reduced to a zero amount of thrust.

[0050] The heat exchanger exit nozzle 46 is in the second configuration, thereby restricting or precluding airflow therethrough as suggested in FIG. 3. In the reverse thrust mode, cooling air enters the heat exchanger duct 58 from the fan bypass duct 30 through the second inlet 50, passes through the heat exchanger 44, and exits the heat exchanger through the first inlet 48. The air exiting the first inlet 48 may provide reverse thrust in a direction substantially opposite the first direction A. As a result, the thrust provided by the air exiting the first inlet 48 can counteract any thrust exiting the fan exit nozzle 34 to reduce or eliminate a net thrust in the first direction A. This may be beneficial in vertical take-off and landing where horizontal movement may not be desired.

[0051] A controller 64 may be coupled to the fan exit nozzle 34, the heat exchanger exit nozzle 46, and the flow control valve 62 and configured to provide control signals thereto to selectively place the fan exit nozzle 34, the heat exchanger exit nozzle 46, and the flow control valve 62 in the foregoing thrust mode and reverse thrust mode alignments. The controller 64 may further be configured to place the fan exit nozzle 34, the heat exchanger exit nozzle 46, and the flow control valve 62 in other alignments as may be desired.

[0052] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an alternate gas turbine engine system 10 similar to the gas turbine engine system 10 show in FIGS. 1-3, wherein elements of the system 10 corresponding to elements of the system 10 are identified using like, but primed reference characters. The gas turbine engine system 10 is in most respects the same as the gas turbine engine system 10. The gas turbine engine system 10 differs from the gas turbine engine system 10 primarily in that the gas turbine engine system 10 lacks discrete elements corresponding to the adjustable heat exchanger exit nozzle 46 and the flow control valve 62 and includes in their places a flow control valve 66.

[0053] The flow control valve 66 is reconfigurable between a first configuration (shown in FIG. 4) wherein the alternative flow control valve simultaneously restricts or precludes flow through the transfer duct 58 and allows flow through the heat exchanger outlet 52, and a second configuration (shown in FIG. 5) wherein the alternative flow control valve simultaneously allows flow through the transfer duct 58 and restricts or precludes flow through the heat exchanger outlet 52.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a gas turbine engine system 10 configured in a first or thrust mode. The gas turbine engine system 10 includes a reduced number of valves or nozzles as compared with the gas turbine engine system 10.

[0055] In the thrust mode, the flow control valve 66 is in the first configuration, thereby reducing or precluding airflow through the transfer duct 58 and allowing flow through the outlet 52 of the heat exchanger duct 42. As such, air propelled by the fan 18 is driven through the bypass duct 30 and out of the gas turbine engine 12 through the fan exit nozzle 34, with little or none of the air flowing through the transfer duct 58. The air driven through the bypass duct may be combined with the air flowing through the engine core 28 prior to exiting the gas turbine engine 12 through the fan exit nozzle 34. The fan exit nozzle 34 is in the second configuration to concentrate or accelerate flow through the fan exit nozzle 34, thereby providing or increasing thrust in the first direction A.

[0056] In the thrust mode, cooling air enters the heat exchanger duct 58 through the first inlet 48, passes through the heat exchanger 44, and exits the heat exchanger through the outlet 52. Little or no air flows through the transfer duct 58.

[0057] FIG. 5 shows the gas turbine engine system 10 configured in a second or reverse thrust mode. In the reverse thrust mode, the flow control valve 66 is in the second configuration, thereby allowing some of the air propelled by the fan 18 to be driven from the fan bypass duct 30 into and through the transfer duct 58 and restricting or precluding flow through the outlet 52 of the heat exchanger duct 42. Any remaining air passing through the fan bypass duct 30 exits the fan bypass duct and the gas turbine engine 12 through the fan exit nozzle 34 at a low or zero thrust as suggested by arrow 70. The air driven through the fan bypass duct 30 may be combined with the airflow through the engine core 28 prior to exiting the gas turbine engine 12 through the fan exit nozzle 34. The fan exit nozzle 34 is in the first configuration to diffuse airflow through the fan exit nozzle 34, thereby reducing thrust in the first direction A. The heat exchanger exit nozzle 46 is in the second configuration, thereby restricting or precluding airflow therethrough.

[0058] In the reverse thrust mode, cooling air enters the heat exchanger duct 58 from the fan bypass duct 30 through the second inlet 50, passes through the heat exchanger 44, and exits the heat exchanger through the first inlet 48. The air exiting the first inlet 48 may provide reverse thrust in a direction substantially opposite the first direction A.

[0059] The present disclosure provides use of a variable control device 62 between the fan exit nozzle 34 and the heat exchanger 44 so as to change the direction of the flow through the heat exchanger 44. The system 10 includes the heat exchanger 44 for managing heat load, a fan driven propulsion system, and a series of flow control devices 34, 62, 66.

[0060] When the vehicle or aircraft is static (or low forward velocity), the heat exchanger 44 is supplied with pressurized air from the fan 18 with flow control valve 62 open and nozzle 66 closed as suggested in FIG. 3. The air exits out the heat exchanger 44 via inlet 48 providing reverse thrust. This reverse thrust could be beneficial because often in static conditions it is desirable to have minimal thrust.

[0061] Then when there is ram air, for example due to forward flight velocity, the flow control valve 62 between the fan 18 and the heat exchanger 44 is closed and the nozzle 66 is opened. Having this ram air fed configuration may be beneficial because it may provide cooler air than the fan pressurized air.

[0062] In some embodiments, the flow control valve 62 and heat exchanger exit nozzle 46 are combined into one device 66. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The device 66 could be configured to either let flow into it from the fan 18 or let flow out of the heat exchanger nozzle 46.

[0063] While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.