HEAT TRANSFER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TURBINE ENGINE USING HEAT PIPES
First Claim
1. A heat transfer system for a turbine engine including an annular casing with an array of generally radially-extending strut members disposed therein, the heat transfer system comprising:
- a plurality of arcuate heat pipes each having an uninsulated circumferential segment disposed in thermal contact with a respective circumferential portion of an outer surface of the casing and each thermally coupled to a heat source, such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the heat pipes and the casing to the strut members, and wherein each circumferential portion of the outer surface of the casing is disposed in thermal contact with only one of the uninsulated circumferential segments.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A heat transfer system is provided for a turbine engine of the type including an annular casing with an array of thermally conductive, generally radially-extending strut members disposed therein. The heat transfer system includes at least one arcuate heat pipe disposed in contact with an outer surface of the casing within fore-and-aft limits of the axial extent of the strut members. The heat pipe is thermally coupled to a heat source, such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the heat pipe and the casing to the strut members.
34 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A heat transfer system for a turbine engine including an annular casing with an array of generally radially-extending strut members disposed therein, the heat transfer system comprising:
a plurality of arcuate heat pipes each having an uninsulated circumferential segment disposed in thermal contact with a respective circumferential portion of an outer surface of the casing and each thermally coupled to a heat source, such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the heat pipes and the casing to the strut members, and wherein each circumferential portion of the outer surface of the casing is disposed in thermal contact with only one of the uninsulated circumferential segments. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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5-6. -6. (canceled)
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14. A gas turbine engine including:
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an annular fan casing; an array of generally radially-extending guide vanes disposed therein, each guide vane having an airfoil cross-section defined by first and second sides extending between spaced-apart leading and trailing edges; a plurality of arcuate heat pipes each having an uninsulated circumferential segment disposed in thermal contact with a respective circumferential portion of an outer surface of the fan casing within fore-and-aft limits of the axial extent of the guide vanes; and a heat source thermally coupled to the heat pipes such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the heat pipes through the fan casing and to the guide vanes, wherein each circumferential portion of the outer surface of the fan casing is disposed in thermal contact with only one of the uninsulated circumferential segments. - View Dependent Claims (15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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16. (canceled)
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25. A method for transferring heat in a turbine engine having an annular casing with an array of generally radially-extending guide vanes disposed therein, said method comprising:
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providing a plurality of arcuate heat pipes, at least a portion of each heat pipe being disposed against an exterior surface of the casing and within fore-and-aft limits of the axial extent of the guide vanes; thermally coupling the heat pipes to a heat source; and receiving heat from the heat source in the heat pipes and transferring the heat to the guide vanes through the casing. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification