Flow balancing ventilation system and method of balancing a flow

• US 9,382,843 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2012
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Infrastructure Technology, LLC (GE Vernova, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Saraswathi, Rajesh Prabhakaran, Akana, Venkateswara Rao, Wolf, Len Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tighe, Dana
• Application Number:
  US13/646,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20140099876A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• Field of Search: 454/254, 454/335.341, 137/875
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/18 the medium being gaseous, e.g. air F02C7/125 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2240/12 Fluid guiding means, e.g. vanes
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/60 Fluid transfer
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/608 Aeration, ventilation, dehumidification or moisture removal of closed spaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87812 Pivoted valve or deflector

Abstract

A flow balancing ventilation system includes a ventilation inlet for receiving an airflow, the ventilation inlet having a cavity defined by an outer wall. Also included is a plurality of ventilation ducts each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each of the plurality of ventilation ducts disposed in operable communication with the ventilation inlet for receiving the airflow, the second end of each of the plurality of ventilation ducts disposed at least partially within an enclosure. Further included is at least one vane disposed within the cavity of the ventilation inlet for manipulating the airflow proximate the first end of each of the plurality of ventilation ducts.

Claims

1. A flow balancing ventilation system comprising:

a ventilation inlet for receiving an airflow, the ventilation inlet having a cavity defined by an outer wall;

a plurality of ventilation ducts each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each of the plurality of ventilation ducts disposed in operable communication with the ventilation inlet for receiving the airflow, the second end of each of the plurality of ventilation ducts is disposed at least partially within an enclosure; and

at least one vane disposed within the cavity of the ventilation inlet for manipulating the airflow proximate the first end of each of the plurality of ventilation ducts,

wherein the at least one vane includes an arcuate surface profile, and

wherein the at least one vane is immobile relative to the cavity of the ventilation inlet.

2. The flow balancing ventilation system of claim 1, further comprising a second vane disposed within the cavity of the ventilation inlet, the second vane having a relatively planar geometry.

3. The flow balancing ventilation system of claim 2, wherein the second vane is disposed at an angle relative to a main flow direction of the airflow.

4. The flow balancing ventilation system of claim 3, wherein the angle ranges from about 20 degrees to about 40 degrees.

5. The flow balancing ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the cavity includes an upstream portion having a first cross-sectional area and a downstream portion having a second cross-sectional area, wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area.

6. The flow balancing ventilation system of claim 5, wherein the downstream portion comprises a junction for the first end of each of the plurality of ventilation ducts.

7. A flow balancing ventilation system for a turbine system comprising:

at least one turbine system enclosure housing at least one turbine system component;

a ventilation inlet for receiving an airflow, the ventilation inlet disposed at an exterior location of the at least one turbine system enclosure;

a plurality of ventilation ducts each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each of the plurality of ventilation ducts disposed in operable communication with the ventilation inlet for receiving the airflow, the second end of each of the plurality of ventilation ducts disposed at least partially within the at least one turbine system enclosure;

a cavity defined by an outer wall of the ventilation inlet including an upstream portion having a first cross-sectional area and a downstream portion having a second cross-sectional area, wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area,

wherein the downstream portion comprises a junction between the first end of each of the plurality of ventilation ducts;

a first vane disposed within the cavity; and

a second vane disposed within the cavity,

wherein the first vane and the second vane each have an upstream end disposed proximate the upstream portion of the ventilation inlet, and

wherein the first vane and the second vane are immobile relative to the cavity.

8. The flow balancing ventilation system for a turbine system of claim 7, wherein the first vane includes an arcuate surface profile.

9. The flow balancing ventilation system for a turbine system of claim 7, wherein the second vane comprises a relatively planar geometry.

10. The flow balancing ventilation system for a turbine system of claim 9, wherein the second vane is disposed at an angle relative to a main flow direction of the airflow.

11. The flow balancing ventilation system for a turbine system of claim 10, wherein the angle ranges from about 20 degrees to about 40 degrees.

12. A method of balancing a flow within a ventilation system comprising:

supplying an airflow to a ventilation inlet;

manipulating the airflow within a cavity of the ventilation inlet with at least one vane,

wherein the at least one vane includes an arcuate surface profile, and

wherein the at least one vane is immobile relative to the cavity of the ventilation inlet; and

routing the airflow from the ventilation inlet through a plurality of ventilation ducts to an enclosure.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein manipulating the airflow comprises restricting the airflow with the at least one vane, the at least one vane comprising a first vane and a second vane.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising splitting the airflow into the plurality of ventilation ducts at a junction disposed proximate a downstream portion of the cavity.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the enclosure houses at least one turbine system component.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein routing the airflow provides a cooling of the at least one turbine system component.