Gas Turbine Engine with Variable Overall Pressure Ratio
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A gas turbine engine, comprising:
- a low pressure spool including;
a low pressure compressor configured for a rearward air flow; and
a low pressure turbine disposed aft of the low pressure compressor and configured for a forward air flow;
a high pressure spool disposed aft of the low pressure spool and including;
a high pressure turbine disposed aft of the low pressure turbine and configured for a forward air flow;
a combustor disposed aft of the high pressure turbine; and
a high pressure compressor disposed aft of the combustor and configured for a forward air flow, the high pressure compressor including a primary stage, including a set of primary rotors, and a secondary stage, including a set of secondary rotors, wherein the primary stage is disposed aft of the secondary stage; and
a clutch configured to selectively engage the primary and secondary stages, the clutch disposed aft of the high pressure compressor.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gas turbine engine has a variable overall pressure rate (“OPR”). The engine includes a high pressure compressor having at least a primary stage having a set of primary rotors and a secondary stage having a set of secondary rotors. A clutch is provided to selectively engage the secondary rotors with the primary rotors. Engagement of the clutch may be controlled based on the vehicle travel mode, such as disengaging during a takeoff mode to reduce turbine entry temperature and engaging during a loiter mode to increase OPR.
38 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A gas turbine engine, comprising:
-
a low pressure spool including; a low pressure compressor configured for a rearward air flow; and a low pressure turbine disposed aft of the low pressure compressor and configured for a forward air flow; a high pressure spool disposed aft of the low pressure spool and including; a high pressure turbine disposed aft of the low pressure turbine and configured for a forward air flow; a combustor disposed aft of the high pressure turbine; and a high pressure compressor disposed aft of the combustor and configured for a forward air flow, the high pressure compressor including a primary stage, including a set of primary rotors, and a secondary stage, including a set of secondary rotors, wherein the primary stage is disposed aft of the secondary stage; and a clutch configured to selectively engage the primary and secondary stages, the clutch disposed aft of the high pressure compressor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A gas turbine engine, comprising:
-
a low pressure spool including a first fan configured for a rearward air flow, an intermediate pressure turbine disposed aft of the first fan and configured for a forward air flow, and a first shaft coupled to the first fan and the intermediate pressure turbine; an intermediate pressure spool including a second fan disposed aft of the first fan and configured for a rearward air flow, an intermediate pressure compressor disposed aft of the second fan and configured for a rearward air flow, a low pressure turbine disposed aft of the intermediate pressure compressor and forward of the intermediate pressure turbine, the low pressure turbine configured for a forward air flow, and a second shaft coupled to the second fan, the intermediate pressure compressor, and the low pressure turbine; a high pressure spool disposed aft of the low pressure spool and the intermediate pressure spool, and including; a high pressure turbine disposed aft of the intermediate pressure turbine and configured for a forward air flow; a combustor disposed aft of the high pressure turbine; a high pressure compressor disposed aft of the combustor and configured for a forward air flow, the high pressure compressor including a primary stage, including a set of primary rotors, and a secondary stage, including a set of secondary rotors, wherein the primary stage is disposed aft of the secondary stage; a primary shaft coupled to the high pressure turbine and the primary stage of the high pressure compressor; and a secondary shaft coupled to the secondary stage of the high pressure compressor; and a clutch configured to selectively engage the primary and secondary stages, the clutch disposed aft of the high pressure compressor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method of operating a gas turbine engine for an aircraft having a takeoff mode and a loiter mode, the method comprising:
-
providing a low pressure spool having a low pressure compressor and a low pressure turbine disposed aft of the low pressure compressor; providing a high pressure spool disposed aft of the low pressure spool and including a high pressure turbine disposed aft of the low pressure turbine, a combustor disposed aft of the high pressure turbine, and a high pressure compressor disposed aft of the combustor, the high pressure compressor including a primary stage, including a set of primary rotors, and a secondary stage, including a set of secondary rotors, wherein the primary stage is disposed aft of the secondary stage; providing a clutch configured to selectively engage the primary and secondary stages, the clutch disposed aft of the high pressure compressor; generating an axially rearward flow of fan air with a fan drive gear system; splitting the fan air into a low pressure fan air flow directed rearward and into an exhaust duct, and a core air flow directed rearward into the low pressure compressor; redirecting the core air flow from the low pressure compressor to a reverse flow duct to produce an axially forward flow of core air; directing the forward flow of core air sequentially through the high pressure compressor, the combustor, the high pressure turbine, and the low pressure turbine to produce exhaust gas; venting the exhaust gas into the exhaust duct; disengaging the clutch when the aircraft is in the takeoff mode; and engaging the clutch when the aircraft is in the loiter mode. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
-
Specification