EXHAUST ASSEMBLY FOR PURGING A NACELLE CAVITY OF A PROPULSION SYSTEM

Abstract

An exhaust assembly for a gas turbine engine includes an outer exhaust case, an inner exhaust case, and a hollow strut. The outer exhaust case forms an outer cavity radially outward of the outer exhaust case. The inner exhaust case is positioned radially inward of the outer exhaust case. The outer exhaust case and the inner exhaust case form a core flow path. The inner exhaust case forms a centerbody. The hollow strut includes a strut body, an inlet, an outlet, and an internal passage. The strut body is connected to the outer exhaust case and the inner exhaust case. The internal passage extending through the strut body from the inlet to the outlet. The inlet is located at the outer radial end. The inlet is in fluid communication with the outer cavity. The internal passage is configured to direct gas from the outer cavity to the outlet.

Claims

1. An exhaust assembly for a gas turbine engine, the exhaust assembly comprising: an outer exhaust case disposed about an axial centerline, the outer exhaust case forming an outer cavity, the outer cavity located radially outward of the outer exhaust case; an inner exhaust case disposed about the axial centerline, the inner exhaust case positioned radially inward of the outer exhaust case, the outer exhaust case and the inner exhaust case forming a core flow path radially between the outer exhaust case and the inner exhaust case, the inner exhaust case forming a centerbody; and a hollow strut including a strut body, an inlet, an outlet, and an internal passage, the strut body extending from an outer radial end to an inner radial end, the strut body connected to the outer exhaust case at the outer radial end, the strut body connected to the inner exhaust case at the inner radial end, the internal passage extending through the strut body from the inlet to the outlet, the inlet located at the outer radial end, the inlet in fluid communication with the outer cavity, the internal passage configured to direct gas from the outer cavity to the outlet.

2. The exhaust assembly of claim 1, wherein the centerbody includes an opening at a downstream end of the centerbody.

3. The exhaust assembly of claim 1, wherein: the inner exhaust case forms an inner cavity, the inner cavity located radially inward of the inner exhaust case; and the outlet is located at the inner radial end.

4. The exhaust assembly of claim 3, wherein the outlet includes a plurality of outlet apertures, the plurality of outlet apertures located in the strut body between the outer radial end and the inner radial end.

5. The exhaust assembly of claim 4, wherein: the strut body extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge; and the plurality of outlet apertures are located at the trailing edge.

6. A propulsion system comprising: a propulsion assembly having an axial centerline, the propulsion assembly including a turbine section, an exhaust section, and a core flow path for combustion gas through the turbine section and the exhaust section, the exhaust section including: an outer exhaust case radially outward of the core flow path; an inner exhaust case radially inward of the core flow path; and a plurality of hollow struts connecting the outer exhaust case to the inner exhaust case, each hollow strut of the plurality of hollow struts including a strut body, an inlet, an outlet, and an internal passage, the strut body extending from the outer exhaust case to the inner exhaust case, the internal passage extending through the strut body from the inlet to the outlet, the inlet located at the outer exhaust case; and a nacelle surrounding the propulsion assembly, the nacelle and the propulsion assembly forming a nacelle cavity radially between the nacelle and the outer exhaust case, the inlet in fluid communication with the nacelle cavity.

7. The propulsion system of claim 6, wherein the propulsion system is configured as a turboprop gas turbine engine.

8. The propulsion system of claim 6, wherein the nacelle includes an air inlet extending between a radial exterior of the nacelle and the nacelle cavity.

9. The propulsion system of claim 8, wherein the nacelle cavity is configured such that all air entering the air inlet passes through the plurality of hollow struts.

10. The propulsion system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of hollow struts are located downstream of the turbine section with respect to the core flow path.

11. The propulsion system of claim 6, wherein the propulsion assembly further includes an auxiliary assembly extending through the internal passage of at least one hollow strut of the plurality of hollow struts.

12. The propulsion system of claim 11, wherein the auxiliary assembly is a bearing system, the bearing system including a lubricant conduit extending through the internal passage of the at least one hollow strut of the plurality of hollow struts.

13. The propulsion system of claim 6, wherein the nacelle cavity is located radially outside of the propulsion assembly.

14. An exhaust assembly for a gas turbine engine, the exhaust assembly comprising: an outer exhaust case disposed about an axial centerline, the outer exhaust case forming an outer cavity, the outer cavity located radially outward of the outer exhaust case; an inner exhaust case disposed about the axial centerline, the inner exhaust case positioned radially inward of the outer exhaust case, the outer exhaust case and the inner exhaust case forming a core flow path radially between the outer exhaust case and the inner exhaust case; and a hollow strut including a strut body, an inlet, an outlet, and an internal passage, the strut body connected to the outer exhaust case and the inner exhaust case, the internal passage extending through the strut body from the inlet to the outlet, the inlet located at the outer radial end, the inlet in fluid communication with the outer cavity, the outlet located in the strut body between the outer radial end and the inner radial end, the outlet further located within the core flow path, the internal passage configured to direct gas from the outer cavity to the outlet.

15. The exhaust assembly of claim 14, wherein: the strut body extends between a leading edge of the strut and a trailing edge of the strut; and the outlet is located at the trailing edge.

16. The exhaust assembly of claim 14, wherein the outlet includes a plurality of outlet apertures.

17. The exhaust assembly of claim 16, wherein the plurality of outlet apertures are configured as a radial arrangement of outlet apertures.

18. The exhaust assembly of claim 14, wherein: the inner exhaust case forms an inner cavity, the inner cavity located radially inward of the inner exhaust case; and the outlet is further in fluid communication with the inner cavity at the inner radial end.

19. The exhaust assembly of claim 18, wherein the inner exhaust case forms a centerbody and the centerbody includes an opening at a downstream end of the centerbody.

20. The exhaust assembly of claim 19, wherein the opening is centered about the axial centerline.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a gas turbine engine, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a side, cutaway view of a portion of an exhaust section for the gas turbine engine of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates an aft, cutaway view of a portion of the exhaust section of FIG. 2, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a side, cutaway view of a portion of an exhaust section for the gas turbine engine of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates an aft, cutaway view of a portion of the exhaust section of FIG. 4, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates an aft, cutaway view of a portion of another exhaust section, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates an aft, cutaway view of a portion of another exhaust section, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a propulsion system 10 for an aircraft. The propulsion system 10 of FIG. 1 includes a propulsion assembly 20 and nacelle 22 (e.g., an enclosure). The propulsion assembly 20 of FIG. 1 is configured as a multi-spool turboprop engine. However, while the following description and accompanying drawings may refer to the turboprop gas turbine engine of FIG. 1 as an example, it should be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may be equally applicable to other types of gas turbine engines including, but not limited to, a turboshaft gas turbine engine, a turbofan gas turbine engine, a turbojet gas turbine engine, a propfan gas turbine engine, or an open rotor gas turbine engine. The propulsion assembly 20 of FIG. 1 is configured to drive (e.g., apply a rotational force to) a propeller (not shown). The propulsion system 10 and/or the propulsion assembly 20 of FIG. 1 includes an air inlet 24, a compressor section 26, a combustor section 28, a turbine section 30, and an exhaust section 32. The compressor section 26 drives air from the air inlet 24 along a core flow path 34 for compression and communication into the combustor section 28, expansion through the turbine section 30, and exhaust from the propulsion assembly 20 via the exhaust section 32.

[0033] The propulsion assembly 20 of FIG. 1 includes a first rotational assembly 36 (e.g., a high-pressure spool), a second rotational assembly 38 (e.g., an intermediate-pressure spool), a third-rotational assembly 40 (e.g., a low-pressure spool and/or power spool), an engine static structure 42 (e.g., an engine case, an exhaust case, etc.), and an annular combustor 44. It should be understood that low pressure, intermediate pressure, and high pressure or variations thereof as used herein are relative terms indicating that the high pressure is greater than the intermediate pressure and the intermediate pressure is greater than the low pressure. The first rotational assembly 36, the second rotational assembly 38, and the third rotational assembly 40 of FIG. 1 are mounted for rotation about an axial centerline 46 (e.g., a rotational axis) of the propulsion assembly 20 relative to the engine static structure 42. In some embodiments, the first rotational assembly 36, the second rotational assembly 38, and/or the third rotational assembly 40 may alternatively be configured for rotation about a rotational axis which is different than the axial centerline 46.

[0034] The first rotational assembly 36 includes a first shaft 48, a bladed first compressor rotor 50, and a bladed first turbine rotor 52. The first shaft 48 interconnects the bladed first compressor rotor 50 and the bladed first turbine rotor 52. The second rotational assembly 38 includes a second shaft 54, a bladed second compressor rotor 56, and a bladed second turbine rotor 58. The second shaft 54 interconnects the bladed second compressor rotor 56 and the bladed second turbine rotor 58. The third rotational assembly 40 includes a third shaft 60 and a bladed third turbine rotor 62. The third shaft 60 is connected to the bladed third turbine rotor 62. The third shaft 60 is configured to apply a rotational force (e.g., directly or indirectly) to a propellor (not shown). The combustor 44 is disposed between the bladed first compressor rotor 50 and the bladed first turbine rotor 52 along the core flow path 34.

[0035] In operation, airflow along the core flow path 34 is ingested by the air inlet 24, compressed by the bladed second compressor rotor 56 and the bladed first compressor rotor 50, mixed and burned with fuel in the combustor 44, and then expanded across the bladed first turbine rotor 52, the bladed second turbine rotor 58, and the bladed third turbine rotor 62. The bladed first turbine rotor 52, the bladed second turbine rotor 58, and the bladed third turbine rotor 62 rotationally drive the first rotational assembly 36, the second rotational assembly 38, and the third rotational assembly 40, respectively, in response to the expansion of the combustion gases. The first shaft 48, the second shaft 54, and the third shaft 60 of FIG. 1 are concentric and rotate about the axial centerline 46.

[0036] The nacelle 22 surrounds the propulsion assembly 20 and forms an exterior portion of the propulsion system 10. The nacelle 22 of FIG. 1 is disposed about (e.g., completely around) the propulsion assembly 20 with respect to the axial centerline 46. The nacelle 22 of FIG. 1 is radially spaced from the propulsion assembly 20 (e.g., from one or more portions of the engine static structure 42) to form a nacelle cavity 64 (e.g., an outer cavity of the exhaust section 32) between the nacelle 22 and the propulsion assembly 20. The nacelle 22 of FIG. 1 includes an air inlet 66. The air inlet 66 may be configured to direct air flow into the nacelle cavity 64 from outside the propulsion system 10. As will be discussed in further detail, air flow through the air inlet 66 may be used to provide cooling to the nacelle cavity 64 and/or to purge contaminants (e.g., fuel vapors) from the nacelle cavity 64 during operation of the propulsion system 10. The air inlet 66 of FIG. 1 is configured as a circumferential arrangement of louvers extending through the nacelle 22. However, the air inlet 66 of the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 and may alternatively be configured with one or more air scoops, apertures, or the like. The nacelle cavity 64 described herein may be understood as a cavity of the propulsion system 10 within which flowing fluid does not substantially contribute to propulsion of the propulsion system 10 (e.g., in contrast to a bypass duct of a turbofan gas turbine engine). The nacelle 22 of FIG. 1 is illustrated as forming an outermost housing of the propulsion system 10, however, the present disclosure is not limited to this particular configuration of the propulsion system 10. For example, the nacelle 22 may alternatively be configured as a core cowling for the propulsion assembly 20, which core cowling may be housed within one or more additional enclosures.

[0037] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate portions of an embodiment of the exhaust section 32 for the propulsion system 10 of FIG. 1. The exhaust section 32 of FIGS. 2 and 3 includes an outer exhaust case 68, an inner exhaust case 70, and one or more struts 72. Combustion exhaust gas flowing along the core flow path 34 passes through the exhaust section 32 between (e.g., radially between) the outer exhaust case 68 and the inner exhaust case 70.

[0038] The outer exhaust case 68 forms a portion (e.g., an annular portion) of the engine static structure 42 (see FIG. 1). The outer exhaust case 68 of FIG. 2 may form a portion of the exterior of the propulsion assembly 20. The outer exhaust case 68 includes an outer radial surface 74, an inner radial surface 76, and one or more inlet apertures 78. The outer radial surface 74 forms, in part, the nacelle cavity 64 (e.g., an inner radial boundary of the nacelle cavity 64). The inner radial surface 76 forms, in part, the core flow path 34 (e.g., an outer radial boundary of the core flow path 34). The inlet apertures 78 extend through the outer exhaust case 68 from the outer radial surface 74 to the inner radial surface 76. The inlet apertures 78 may be configured as a circumferential arrangement of inlet apertures 78 in which the inlet apertures 78 are circumferentially spaced about the axial centerline 46, for example, in a circumferential array. However, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular arrangement of the inlet apertures 78.

[0039] The inner exhaust case 70 forms a portion (e.g., an annular portion) of the engine static structure 42 (see FIG. 1). The inner exhaust case 70 includes an outer radial surface 80 and an inner radial surface 82. The inner exhaust case 70 may further include one or more outlet apertures 84. The outer radial surface 80 forms, in part, the core flow path 34 (e.g., an inner radial boundary of the core flow path 34). The inner radial surface 82 forms a portion of an exhaust cavity 86 (e.g., an inner cavity of the exhaust section 32). For example, the inner radial surface 82 may form an outer radial boundary of the exhaust cavity 86. The outlet apertures 84 extend through the inner exhaust case 70 from the outer radial surface 80 to the inner radial surface 82. Like the inlet apertures 78, the outlet apertures 84 may be configured as a circumferential arrangement of outlet apertures 84 in which the outlet apertures 84 are circumferentially spaced about the axial centerline 46, for example, in a circumferential array. However, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular arrangement of the outlet apertures 84.

[0040] The inner exhaust case 70 forms or otherwise includes an annular centerbody 88 for the exhaust section 32. The centerbody 88 may form a portion of an exhaust nozzle for the exhaust section 32. The centerbody 88 is disposed circumferentially about (e.g., completely around) the exhaust cavity 86. The centerbody 88 forms or otherwise includes an opening 90 at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) a downstream end (e.g., an axially aft end) of the centerbody 88. The opening 90 of FIG. 2 may be centered about the axial centerline 46. The exhaust cavity 86 is in fluid communication with the exterior of the propulsion system 10 (see FIG. 1) via the opening 90.

[0041] Each strut 72 is configured as a hollow strut. Each strut 72 includes a strut body 92, an inlet 94, an outlet 96, and an internal passage 98. The strut body 92 extends between and to an outer radial end 100 of the strut 72 and an inner radial end 102 of the strut 72. The strut body 92 extends between and to a leading edge 104 of the strut 72 and a trailing edge 106 of the strut 72. The leading edge 104 is positioned upstream of the trailing edge 106 with respect to the core flow path 34. The strut body 92 may be configured as an airfoil body between the leading edge 104 and the trailing edge 106. For example, the strut body 92 may include a generally concave-shaped portion (e.g., a pressure side) extending from the leading edge 104 to the trailing edge 106 and the strut body 92 may include a generally convex-shaped portion (e.g., a suction side) extending from the leading edge 104 to the trailing edge 106. The strut body 92 of the present disclosure, however, is not limited to an airfoil configuration. The inlet 94 is located at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the outer radial end 100. The outlet 96 of the strut 72 of FIGS. 2 and 3 is located at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the inner radial end 102. The internal passage 98 extends through the strut body 92 from the inlet 94 to the outlet 96.

[0042] Each strut 72 connects the outer exhaust case 68 to the inner exhaust case 70 and extends through (e.g., radially through) the core flow path 34. The outer radial end 100 of each strut 72 is connected (e.g., welded or otherwise fixedly mounted) to the outer exhaust case 68. For example, the outer radial end 100 may be connected to the inner radial surface 76. The outer radial end 100 is connected to the outer exhaust case 68 at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the location of a respective inlet aperture 78, such that the inlet 94 is fluidly coupled with the respective inlet aperture 78. The inner radial end 102 of each strut 72 is connected (e.g., fixedly mounted) to the inner exhaust case 70. For example, the inner radial end 102 may be connected to the outer radial surface 80. The inner radial end 102 of the strut 72 of FIGS. 2 and 3 is connected to the inner exhaust case 70 at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the location of a respective outlet aperture 84, such that the outlet 96 is fluidly coupled with the respective outlet aperture 84. In some embodiments, the struts 72 may be integrally formed with one or both of the outer exhaust case 68 and the inner exhaust case 70 (e.g., the struts 72 and the outer exhaust case 68 and/or the inner exhaust case 70 may form a unitary component). The struts 72 may be configured as a circumferential arrangement of struts 72 in which the struts 72 are circumferentially spaced about the axial centerline 46. In some embodiments, the exhaust section 32 may include additional struts connecting the outer exhaust case 68 to the inner exhaust case 70, which additional struts may be different than (e.g., non-hollow) the struts 72.

[0043] In operation of the propulsion system 10, the internal passage 98 of each strut 72 is configured to convey gas from the nacelle cavity 64 to the exhaust cavity 86. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary purge flow path 108 along which gas may flow from the nacelle cavity 64, through each strut 72, into the exhaust cavity 86, and exit the propulsion system 10 (see FIG. 1) via the opening 90. The flow of gas through the exhaust cavity 86 and the opening 90 (e.g., along the purge flow path 108) may cause the formation of a low-pressure region within the exhaust cavity 86 and/or downstream of the opening 90, thereby increasing the flow rate of gas through the nacelle cavity 64, struts 72, and exhaust cavity 86. For example, the gas flowing along the purge flow path 108 may interact with the relatively hotter combustion exhaust gas flowing along the core flow path 34, downstream of the opening 90, thereby forming the low-pressure region within the exhaust cavity 86 and/or downstream of the opening 90. All or substantially all of the gas entering the air inlet 66 (see FIG. 1) may pass through the struts 72. In some embodiments, the propulsion system 10 (e.g., the nacelle 22) may include one or more additional outlets for purging gas from the nacelle cavity 64.

[0044] In some embodiments, the struts 72 of FIGS. 2 and 3 may be configured to accommodate one or more auxiliary assemblies of the propulsion system 10 (see FIG. 1). For example, one or more conduits, wires, cables, and the like may extend through the internal passage 98. FIG. 2 illustrates a bearing assembly 110 for rotatably supporting the third shaft 60. The bearing assembly of FIG. 2 includes a bearing 112, a lubricant conduit 114, and a lubricant nozzle 116. The bearing 112 is mounted between the inner exhaust case 70 and the third shaft 60 for rotatably supporting the third shaft 60. The lubricant conduit 114 extends from a lubricant supply (not shown) radially outside the outer exhaust case 68, through the internal passage 98, to the lubricant nozzle 116. The lubricant conduit 114 is configured to supply lubricant to the lubricant nozzle 116 for lubricating and cooling components of the bearing assembly 110 and the third shaft 60. The propulsion system 10 of the present disclosure, of course, is not limited to the foregoing exemplary bearing assembly 110 and other auxiliary assemblies may be implemented in combination with the struts 72 of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate portions of another embodiment of the exhaust section 32 for propulsion system 10 of FIG. 1. The outlet 96 of FIGS. 4 and 5 is formed through the strut body 92 and located between the outer radial end 100 and the inner radial end 102. For example, the outlet 96 of FIGS. 4 and 5 is located at (e.g., on, adjacent, or proximate) the trailing edge 106. Thus, gas flowing through the internal passage 98 exits the internal passage 98 within the core flow path 34. FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an exemplary purge flow path 120 along which gas may flow from the nacelle cavity 64, through each strut 72, and into the core flow path 34 via the outlet 96. The outlet 96 may include a plurality of outlet apertures 118. The outlet 96 of FIGS. 4 and 5 includes a radial arrangement of the plurality of outlet apertures 118 along the trailing edge 106. The plurality of outlet apertures 118, however, are not limited to the radial arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate alternative embodiments of the outlet 96 formed through the strut body 92 and located between the outer radial end 100 and the inner radial end 102. For example, the outlet 96 of FIG. 6 includes a single radially-elongated outlet aperture. The plurality of outlet apertures 118 of FIG. 7 includes apertures having different sizes (e.g., different cross-sectional flow areas). For example, the outlet apertures of the plurality of apertures 118 may increase in size in a direction from the outer radial end 100 to the inner radial end 102. In some embodiments, the outlet 96 may additionally be formed through the inner radial end 102 as described above with respect to the strut 72 of FIGS. 2 and 3. The relatively high flow rate of the combustion exhaust gas along the core flow path 34 may facilitate an increased the flow rate of gas (e.g., along the purge flow path 120) through the nacelle cavity 64 and the struts 72, and into the core flow path 34.

[0046] The struts 72 of the present disclosure may facilitate improved purge gas flow through the nacelle cavity 64, thereby provide cooling to the nacelle cavity 64 and/or purging contaminants (e.g., fuel vapors) from the nacelle cavity 64 during operation of the propulsion system 10. The continuous flow of gas through the nacelle cavity 64 may provide cooling for interior structures and/or surfaces of the nacelle 22, outer structures and/or surfaces of the propulsion assembly 20, and/or other components or structures of the propulsion system 10 which may be positioned within the nacelle cavity 64. The flow of gas through the struts 72 may further provide cooling for the struts 72 and for the inner exhaust case 70. The additional cooling provided by the struts 72 of the present disclosure may facilitate material selections for components of the exhaust system 32 which may weight, cost, strength, durability, etc. characteristics of the exhaust system 32 components. The improved purge flow through the nacelle cavity 64 provided by the struts 72 may prevent or substantially prevent the accumulation of airborne contaminants in the nacelle cavity 64 from reaching contaminant thresholds which may be detrimental to the propulsion assembly 20 and/or nacelle 22.

[0047] It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the preceding description and in the drawings. It is noted that these connections are general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. A coupling between two or more entities may refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection. An indirect connection may incorporate one or more intervening entities.

[0048] Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase means for. As used herein, the terms comprises, comprising, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0049] While various aspects of the present disclosure have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the present disclosure as described herein includes several aspects and embodiments that include particular features. Although these particular features may be described individually, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that some or all of these features may be combined with any one of the aspects and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. References to various embodiments, one embodiment, an embodiment, an example embodiment, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.