Multi-channel particle separator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10100734-B2
Application number	US-201514629739-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 24, 2015
Priority date	Feb 24, 2015
Publication date	Oct 16, 2018
Grant date	Oct 16, 2018

Abstract

A multi-channel particle separator includes a plurality of vanes. Each vane is spaced apart from at least one other adjacent vane to define a flow channel, and includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first side wall, a second sidewall, and a splitter. The first side wall extends between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall and extends from the leading edge toward the trailing edge. The splitter may be rotationally coupled to the trailing edge and extend toward the leading edge. The splitter is spaced apart from the first side wall to define a scavenge volume and is rotatable between an extended position and a retracted position. The vanes may also or instead be coupled to a ring-shaped structure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A multi-channel particle separator, comprising:
a generally ring-shaped support structure symmetrically disposed about a central axis, the support structure having a plurality of evenly spaced-apart openings formed therein;
a plurality of particle collectors coupled to and extending perpendicularly from the support structure, each particle collector having an inner surface that defines a particulate collection chamber that is in fluid communication with a different one of the openings; and
a plurality of vane sets, each vane set including a plurality of vanes that are coupled between two particle collectors and that are spaced apart from at least one other adjacent vane to define a plurality of flow channels, each vane comprising:
a leading edge disposed perpendicular to the central axis,
a trailing edge,
a first side wall extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge;
a second side wall spaced apart from the first side wall, the second side wall extending from the leading edge toward the trailing edge, and
a splitter rotationally coupled to the trailing edge and extending toward the leading edge, the splitter spaced apart from the first side wall to define a scavenge volume that is in fluid communication with the particulate chamber.

2. The multi-channel particle separator of claim 1 , wherein is:
each splitter is rotationally coupled to the trailing edge; and
each splitter is rotatable between (i) an extended position, in which the splitter is spaced apart from the second side wall to place the scavenge volume in fluid communication with the flow channel, and (ii) a retracted position, in which the splitter engages the second side wall to fluidly isolate the scavenge volume from the flow channel.

3. The multi-channel particle separator of claim 2 , further comprising:
at least one actuator coupled to each splitter, the at least one actuator adapted to receive actuator control signals and configured, in response thereto, to move each splitter to either the extended position or the retracted position.

4. The multi-channel particle separator of claim 3 , further comprising:
a control coupled to the at least one actuator and configured to supply the actuator control signals thereto.

5. The multi-channel particle separator of claim 4 , further comprising:
a sensor in operable communication with the control, the sensor configured to sense at least one parameter representative of a need for particle separation and supply a sensor signal representative thereof to the control,
wherein the control is responsive to the sensor signal to supply the actuator control signals.

6. A gas turbine engine system, comprising:
a gas turbine engine having a rotational axis and including a compressor section, a combustion section, a turbine section, and an exhaust section;
at least one actuator coupled to receive actuator control signals and configured, in response thereto, to supply an actuation force;
a sensor configured to sense a parameter representative of aircraft altitude and supply a sensor signal representative thereof;
a control coupled to the at least one actuator and to the sensor, the control configured to receive the sensor signal and, in response to the sensor signal, to supply the actuator control signals to the at least one actuator; and
a multi-channel particle separator coupled to, and disposed upstream of the compressor section, the multi-channel particle separator comprising:
a generally ring-shaped support structure having a particulate collection chamber formed therein, the support structure coupled to the compressor section and symmetrically disposed around the rotational axis; and
a plurality of vanes coupled to the support structure and symmetrically disposed around the rotational axis, each vane spaced apart from two other adjacent vanes to define a plurality of flow channels, each vane comprising:
a leading edge disposed parallel to the rotational axis,
a trailing edge,
a first side wall extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge;
a second side wall spaced apart from the first side wall, the second side wall extending from the leading edge toward the trailing edge, and
a splitter rotationally coupled to the trailing edge and extending toward the leading edge, the splitter spaced apart from the first side wall to define a scavenge volume that is in fluid communication with the particulate chamber, the splitter coupled to receive the actuation force from the actuator and rotatable, upon receipt thereof, between (i) an extended position, in which the splitter is spaced apart from the second side wall to place the scavenge volume in fluid communication with the flow channel, and (ii) a retracted position, in which the splitter engages the second side wall to fluidly isolate the scavenge volume from the flow channel.

Assignees

• Honeywell Int Inc

Inventors

• Sheoran Yogendra Yogi
• Reich Jennifer Ann
• Bouldin Bruce Dan
• Judd Zedic Daniel
• Pearson John Taylor
• Frost Cristopher
• Wong Yates
• Chou David
• Guerra Eduardo

Classifications

• F02C7/055

  with intake grids, screens or guards · CPC title

• A47L9/1683

  Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles · CPC title

• F02C7/052 Primary

  with dust-separation devices · CPC title

• F05D2210/12

  gaseous, i.e. compressible · CPC title

• B64D33/02

  of combustion air intakes · CPC title