THERMALLY ACTUATED PASSIVE GAS TURBINE ENGINE COMPARTMENT VENTING

• US 20110120075A1
• Filed: 11/24/2009
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electronics Company
• Original Assignee: General Electronics Company
• Inventors: Laborie, Daniel Jean-Louis, Geary, Stephen Dennis, Diaz, Carlos Enrique
• Granted Patent: US 8,991,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/39.11
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2033/024 comprising cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2045/009 Fire detection or protection; Erosion protection, e.g. from airborne particles
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 29/00 Power-plant nacelles, fairings, or cowlings nacelles not otherwise provided for B64C
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/14 Casings modified therefor double casings F01D25/26
• CPC Class Codes: F02K 1/383 with retractable elements
• CPC Class Codes: F02K 1/822 Heat insulating structures or liners, cooling arrangements, e.g. post combustion liners; Infrared radiation suppressors
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/20 Heat transfer, e.g. cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2270/09 to cope with emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2270/112 by limiting temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2270/3032 excessive temperatures, e.g. caused by overheating
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2270/64 Hydraulic actuators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

A thermally actuated venting system includes a thermally actuated vent for opening a vent outlet in a gas turbine engine associated compartment with a passive thermal actuator located in the compartment based on a temperature of the compartment. Outlet may be located at or near a top of a core engine compartment, a fan compartment, or a pylon compartment. Actuator may be operably connected to a hinged door of vent for opening outlet. Actuator may be actuated by a phase change material disposed in a chamber and having a liquid state below a predetermined actuation temperature and a gaseous state above the predetermined actuation temperature. Actuator may include a thermal fuse for closing door during a fire. Thermal fuse may include at least a portion of piston rod or a cylinder wall of actuator being made of a fuse material having a melting point substantially above the predetermined actuation temperature.

Claims

1. A thermally actuated venting system comprising:

a thermally actuated vent for opening a vent outlet in a gas turbine engine associated compartment,

a passive thermal actuator in the compartment, and

the thermal actuator operable for opening the thermally actuated vent based on a temperature of the compartment.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the vent outlet located at or near a top of the compartment.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the associated compartment being a core engine compartment or a fan compartment or a pylon compartment.

4. A system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the thermally actuated vent including a hinged door operably connected to the thermal actuator for opening the vent outlet.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a thermal fuse incorporated in the thermal actuator for closing the door during a fire in the compartment.

6. A system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

the thermal actuator including a piston disposed within a cylinder,

a chamber within the cylinder between the piston and a bottom wall of the cylinder,

a piston rod extending upwardly from the piston through an aperture in a top wall of the cylinder, and

a phase change material in the chamber having a liquid state below a predetermined actuation temperature and a gaseous state above the predetermined actuation temperature.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising the thermally actuated vent including a hinged door operably connected to the thermal actuator for opening the vent outlet.

8. A system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a distal end of the piston rod connected to the hinged door.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a thermal fuse incorporated in the thermal actuator for closing the door during a fire in the compartment.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the thermal fuse including the piston rod or a portion of the piston rod made of a fuse material having a melting point substantially above the predetermined actuation temperature.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the melting point being in a range between 786 degrees and 1202 degrees Fahrenheit.

12. A system as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the thermal fuse including an annular cylinder wall of the cylinder or a portion of the cylinder wall made of a fuse material having a melting point substantially above the predetermined actuation temperature.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising the melting point being in a range between 786 degrees and 1202 degrees Fahrenheit.

14. A system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the associated compartment being a fan compartment between a gas turbine engine fan cowl and a gas turbine engine fan casing and an electronic engine control mounted in the fan compartment.

15. A system as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

the thermal actuator including a piston disposed within a cylinder,

a chamber within the cylinder between the piston and a bottom wall of the cylinder,

a piston rod extending upwardly from the piston through an aperture in a top wall of the cylinder, and

a phase change material in the chamber having a liquid state below a predetermined actuation temperature and a gaseous state above the predetermined actuation temperature.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the thermally actuated vent including a hinged door operably connected to the thermal actuator for opening the vent outlet and a distal end of the piston rod connected to the hinged door.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

a thermal fuse incorporated in the thermal actuator for closing the door during a fire in the compartment,

the thermal fuse including the piston rod or a portion of the piston rod made of a fuse material having a melting point substantially above the predetermined actuation temperature.

18. A system as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

a thermal fuse incorporated in the thermal actuator for closing the door during a fire in the compartment,

the thermal fuse including an annular cylinder wall of the cylinder or a portion of the cylinder wall made of a fuse material having a melting point substantially above the predetermined actuation temperature.

19. A system as claimed in claim 16, further comprising the thermally actuated vent including the hinged door being located near the electronic engine control.

20. A system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the associated compartment being a core engine compartment circumscribed by a core engine cowl.

21. A system as claimed in claim 20, further comprising:

the thermal actuator including a piston disposed within a cylinder,

a chamber within the cylinder between the piston and a bottom wall of the cylinder,

a piston rod extending upwardly from the piston through an aperture in a top wall of the cylinder, and

a phase change material in the chamber having a liquid state below a predetermined actuation temperature and a gaseous state above the predetermined actuation temperature.

22. A system as claimed in claim 21, further comprising the thermally actuated vent including a hinged door operably connected to the thermal actuator for opening the vent outlet and a distal end of the piston rod connected to the hinged door.

23. A system as claimed in claim 22, further comprising:

a thermal fuse incorporated in the thermal actuator for closing the door during a fire in the compartment,

the thermal fuse including the piston rod or a portion of the piston rod made of a fuse material having a melting point substantially above the predetermined actuation temperature.

24. A system as claimed in claim 22, further comprising:

a thermal fuse incorporated in the thermal actuator for closing the door during a fire in the compartment,

the thermal fuse including an annular cylinder wall of the cylinder or a portion of the cylinder wall made of a fuse material having a melting point substantially above the predetermined actuation temperature.

25. A system as claimed in claim 22, further comprising the vent outlet located in an upper quadrant of the core engine cowl.

26. A system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the associated compartment being a pylon compartment in a pylon for mounting an engine above an aircraft wing.

27. A system as claimed in claim 26, further comprising:

the thermal actuator including a piston disposed within a cylinder,

a chamber within the cylinder between the piston and a bottom wall of the cylinder,

a piston rod extending upwardly from the piston through an aperture in a top wall of the cylinder, and

a phase change material in the chamber having a liquid state below a predetermined actuation temperature and a gaseous state above the predetermined actuation temperature.

28. A system as claimed in claim 27, further comprising:

the pylon compartment located inside of the pylon and surrounded at least in part by a pylon fairing,

the thermally actuated vent disposed in a top wall upwardly bounding the pylon compartment, and

the top wall being part of an engine exhaust deflector.

29. A system as claimed in claim 28, further comprising the thermally actuated vent including a hinged door operably connected to the thermal actuator for opening the vent outlet and a distal end of the piston rod connected to the hinged door.

30. A system as claimed in claim 29, further comprising:

a thermal fuse incorporated in the thermal actuator for closing the door during a fire in the compartment,

the thermal fuse including the piston rod or a portion of the piston rod made of a fuse material having a melting point substantially above the predetermined actuation temperature.

31. A system as claimed in claim 29, further comprising:

a thermal fuse incorporated in the thermal actuator for closing the door during a fire in the compartment,

the thermal fuse including an annular cylinder wall of the cylinder or a portion of the cylinder wall made of a fuse material having a melting point substantially above the predetermined actuation temperature.