Forward load reduction structures for aft-most stages of high pressure compressors
Structures for reducing forward loads in compressors are described. A compressor includes inner and outer circumferential support structures positioned concentrically around a central axis, and an aft-most stage including a vane extending radially inward from the outer circumferential support structure. An axial length of the aft-most stage is defined by a spacer arm of the inner circumferential support structure. The vane includes a root, a tip, and a trailing edge extending between the root and the tip. A ratio of a first radial distance between a first point located at an intersection of the tip of the vane and the trailing edge to a radially inner wall of the spacer arm of the inner circumferential support structure to a second radial distance between the first point and a second point located at an intersection of the root of the vane and the trailing edge is between 0.95 and 4.5.
1. A compressor, comprising:
an outer circumferential support structure and an inner circumferential support structure, the outer and inner circumferential support structures positioned concentrically around a central axis; and
an aft-most stage comprising a vane extending radially inward from the outer circumferential support structure, an axial length of the aft-most stage being defined by a spacer arm of the inner circumferential support structure,
wherein the vane comprises a root, a tip, and a trailing edge extending between the root and the tip, the root positioned at the outer circumferential support structure,
wherein a ratio of (1) a first radial distance (Ch) between a first point located at an intersection of the tip of the vane and the trailing edge to a radially inner wall of the spacer arm of the inner circumferential support structure to (2) a second radial distance (Vh) between the first point and a second point located at an intersection of the root of the vane and the trailing edge is between 0.95 and 5.1, and
wherein Ch is between 0.525 inches and 4.663 inches and Vh is between 0.553 inches and 0.918 inches.
2. The compressor of claim 1 , wherein the ratio is between 0.97 and 3.6.
3. The compressor of claim 1 , further comprising one or more forward stages positioned forward of the aft-most stage, each one of the one or more forward stages comprising a vane having a root extending from the outer circumferential support structure, and a tip, an axial length of each one of the one or more forward stages being defined by additional spacer arms of the inner circumferential support structure.
4. The compressor of claim 3 , wherein an arrangement of a first line extending through intersection points of the spacer arm between adjacent rotors forms an angle with a second line parallel to a longitudinal centerline and wherein the angle is between 0° and 45°.
5. The compressor of claim 4 , wherein the angle is between 0° and 25°.
6. The compressor of claim 1 , further comprising an aft most stage seal positioned adjacent to the tip of the vane.
7. The compressor of claim 6 , wherein the aft most stage seal is a bridge seal, a stick-type seal housing, a box-type seal housing, or incorporates an attached seal ring.
8. The compressor of claim 1 , wherein the spacer arm comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion coupled to the second portion via a curvic coupling, a friction joint, or a weld joint.
9. The compressor of claim 1 , wherein the aft-most stage comprises a circumferentially bladed disk, an axially bladed disk, or a blisk.
10. The compressor of claim 1 , wherein relative dimensions of the vane are defined by:
Ch
Vh
*
Rh
W
3
R
0.5
,
where Rh represents a third radial distance between the first point and a longitudinal centerline in inches, and W 3R (pound mass per second or lbm/sec) represents a corrected flow of a fluid out of the compressor as defined by:
W
3
R
=
W
3
*
(
T
3
518.67
)
0.5
P
3
14.696
,
where W 3 represents a physical flow in pounds per second of the fluid at a compressor exit, T 3 represents a total temperature of the fluid at the compressor exit in Rankine, and P 3 represents a total pressure of the fluid at the compressor exit in pounds per square inch absolute (psia).
11. The compressor of claim 10 , wherein
Ch
Vh
*
Rh
W
3
R
0.5
is between 3.0 and 21.0.
12. The compressor of claim 11 , wherein
Ch
Vh
*
Rh
W
3
R
0.5
is between 3.0 and 15.0.
13. A turbofan engine, comprising:
a fan section; and
a core turbine engine disposed downstream of the fan section, the core turbine engine comprising a compressor,
wherein the compressor comprises:
an outer circumferential support structure and an inner circumferential support structure, the outer and inner circumferential support structures positioned concentrically around a central axis; and
an aft-most stage comprising a vane extending radially inward from the outer circumferential support structure, an axial length of the aft-most stage being defined by a spacer arm of the inner circumferential support structure,
wherein the vane comprises a root, a tip, and a trailing edge extending between the root and the tip, the root positioned at the outer circumferential support structure,
wherein a ratio of (1) a first radial distance (Ch) between a first point located at an intersection of the tip of the vane and the trailing edge to a radially inner wall of the spacer arm of the inner circumferential support structure to (2) a second radial distance (Vh) between the first point and a second point located at an intersection of the root of the vane and the trailing edge is between 0.95 and 5.1, and
wherein Ch is between 0.525 inches and 4.663 inches and Vh is between 0.553 inches and 0.918 inches.
14. The turbofan engine of claim 13 , wherein the ratio is between 0.97 and 3.6.
15. The turbofan engine of claim 13 , wherein the compressor further comprises one or more forward stages positioned forward of the aft-most stage, each one of the one or more forward stages comprising a vane having a root extending from the outer circumferential support structure, and a tip, an axial length of each one of the one or more forward stages being defined by additional spacer arms of the inner circumferential support structure.
16. The turbofan engine of claim 13 , wherein the compressor further comprises an aft most stage seal positioned adjacent to the tip of the vane, wherein the aft most stage seal is a bridge seal, a stick-type seal housing, a box-type seal housing, or incorporates an attached seal ring.
17. The turbofan engine of claim 13 , wherein the spacer arm comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion coupled to the second portion via a curvic coupling, a friction joint, or a weld joint.
18. The turbofan engine of claim 13 , wherein the relative dimensions of the vane are defined by:
Ch
Vh
*
Rh
W
3
R
0.5
,
where Rh represents a third radial distance between the first point and a longitudinal centerline in inches, and W 3R (pound mass per second or lbm/sec) represents a corrected flow of a fluid out of the compressor as defined by:
W
3
R
=
W
3
*
(
T
3
518.67
)
0.5
P
3
14.696
,
where W 3 represents a physical flow in pounds per second of the fluid at a compressor exit, T 3 represents a total temperature of the fluid at the compressor exit in Rankine, and P 3 represents a total pressure of the fluid at the compressor exit in pounds per square inch absolute (psia).
19. The turbofan engine of claim 18 , wherein
Ch
Vh
*
Rh
W
3
R
0.5
is between 3.0 and 21.0.
20. The turbofan engine of claim 19 , wherein
Ch
Vh
*
Rh
W
3
R
0.5
is between 3.0 and 15.0.