Generator with controlled air cooling amplifier
A turbine engine includes an electrical system having at least two generator circuits, one coupled to a high pressure portion of a gas turbine engine and the other coupled to a low pressure portion of the gas turbine engine. The electrical system actively cools an electrical generator during operation in order to ensure proper operation as well as extend the lifespan of the generator.
1. A gas turbine generator cooling system comprising:
a gas turbine engine generating bleed air; and
a generator including a generator housing and at least one fluid entrainment feature, said at least one fluid entrainment feature utilizing a fraction of said bleed air to generate a cooling air flow through said generator housing.
2. A gas turbine generator cooling system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said at least one fluid entrainment feature comprises a Coanda effect feature.
3. A gas turbine generator cooling system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said generator further comprises:
a hollow generator shaft including a plurality of shaft apertures positioned within said generator housing;
wherein at least a portion of said cooling air flow is moved into said hollow generator shaft and dispersed into said generator housing through said plurality of shaft apertures.
4. A gas turbine generator cooling system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said generator further comprises:
at least one exciter rotor including a plurality of rotor slots;
wherein at least a portion of said cooling air flow is moved into said generator housing through said plurality of rotor slots.
5. A gas turbine generator cooling system as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said plurality of rotor slots are angled relative to a generator centerline.
6. A gas turbine generator cooling system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said generator housing further comprises:
a plurality of generator housing apertures formed along its length;
wherein at least a portion of said cooling air flow is moved into said generator housing through said plurality of generator housing apertures.
7. A gas turbine generator cooling system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said generator housing comprises:
a cooling air inlet end; and
a cooling air outlet end;
wherein said at least one fluid entrainment feature is positioned proximate to said cooling air outlet end such that said cooling air flow is pulled through said generator housing.
8. A gas turbine generator cooling system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said generator housing comprises:
a cooling air inlet end; and
a cooling air outlet end;
wherein said at least one fluid entrainment feature is positioned proximate to said cooling air inlet end such that said cooling air flow is pushed through said generator housing.
9. A gas turbine generator cooling system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said generator housing comprises:
a plurality of generator housing apertures formed along its length;
wherein said at least one fluid entrainment feature is positioned radially outward of said generator housing such that said cooling air flow is pulled through said generator housing in an outward radial direction.
10. A gas turbine generator cooling system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one air guide baffle positioned within said generator housing, said at least one air guide baffle configured to route said cooling air flow relative to said generator housing.
11. A generator cooling system comprising:
a generator including a generator housing and at least one fluid entrainment feature, said at least one fluid entrainment feature utilizing a portion of bleed air to generate a cooling air flow through said generator housing.
12. A generator cooling system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said at least one fluid entrainment feature comprises a Coanda effect feature.
13. A generator cooling system as claimed in claim 11 , further comprising:
a hollow generator shaft including a plurality of shaft apertures positioned within said generator housing;
wherein at least a portion of said cooling air flow is moved into said hollow generator shaft and dispersed into said generator housing through said plurality of shaft apertures.
14. A generator cooling system as claimed in claim 11 , further comprising:
at least one exciter rotor including a plurality of rotor slots;
wherein at least a portion of said cooling air flow is moved into said generator housing through said plurality of rotor slots.
15. A generator cooling system as claimed in claim 11 , further comprising:
at least one air guide baffle positioned within said generator housing, said at least one air guide baffle configured to route said cooling air flow through said generator housing.
16. A method of cooling a gas turbine generator comprising:
bleeding air from the compressor of a gas turbine engine;
directing a portion of said bleed air into at least one fluid entrainment feature in communication with a generator housing of a generator; and
generating a cooling air flow through said generator housing using said at least one fluid entrainment feature.
17. A method of cooling a gas turbine generator as claimed in claim 16 , wherein said at least one fluid entrainment feature comprises a Coanda effect feature.
18. A method of cooling a gas turbine generator as claimed in claim 16 , further comprising:
directing said cooling air flow through a hollow generator shaft, said hollow generator shaft including a plurality of shaft apertures positioned within said generator housing; and
dispersing at least a portion of said cooling air flow into said generator housing through said plurality of shaft apertures.
19. A method of cooling a gas turbine generator as claimed in claim 16 , further comprising:
directing said cooling air flow through a plurality of rotor slots formed in at least one rotor; and
dispersing at least a portion of said cooling air flow into said generator housing through said plurality of rotor slots.
20. A method of cooling a gas turbine generator as claimed in claim 16 , further comprising:
directing said cooling air flow through a plurality of generator housing apertures formed in said generator housing; and
pulling at least a portion of said cooling air flow outwardly through said generator housing by positioning said at least one fluid entrainment feature radially outward of said generator housing.