Description:
Reference #: 1691
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for Gas Turbine Engine Lifecycle Digital-Twin Design, Monitoring and Maintenance.
Background:
Gas Turbine Engines (GTE) play a significant role in aircraft propulsion and power generation. Increase in GTE efficiency of even 1% can lead to lowering the carbon footprint per unit of electricity generated while saving over $1 billion in fuel cost savings over a ten-year period in the US and thus, keeping the maintenance cost and capital costs lower.
The conventional Gas Turbine Engine Development and Monitoring Lifecycle (EDML) typically encompasses six stages: preliminary design, numerical analysis, prototyping and testing, manufacturing, systems integration, and subsequent systematic monitoring processes. In the preliminary design phase, thermodynamic performance calculations are systematically executed to evaluate the component and system level efficiencies of the GTE and to establish design parameters for pivotal components, including compressors and turbines. The second stage involves conducting numerical analysis and simulations to refine design parameters, optimize performance at various design, off-design, steady-state and transient conditions. The next stage involves material design and manufacturing of prototypes for the iterative cycle of design, testing, and refinement involves a synergistic integration which demands a holistic approach to creating a design digital twin for gas turbine engines.
There are numerous challenges faced with the development of GTEs. Such challenges include optimizing performance with changing thermodynamic conditions, complexities of designs, continuous maintenance and monitoring, manufacturing difficulties, and emission reduction. In order to tackle these challenges, implementation of a holistic design and performance tool becomes indispensable for capturing the interdependencies of operational characteristics in GTEs.
Invention Description:
This invention is a Gas Turbine Engine - Design and Monitoring Tool (GTE-DMT) that is crafted to provide comprehensive real-time analytics, extending beyond basic performance prediction, design, analysis and monitoring. The tool integrating advanced computational algorithms and user-centric interfaces to transform the management of gas turbine engines. GTE-DMT's robust framework allows for the integration of a wide array of input operational parameters such as RPM, pressure ratios, and temperature readings, which is used to compute critical performance indicators like fuel efficiency, thrust, power output, and wear-and-tear predictions. This data-driven approach enables the tool to offer actionable insights for optimizing operational parameters, thereby enhancing the engine's lifespan and reducing downtime. Additionally, GTE-DMT is designed with a modular concept, offering a 'plug and play' feature that facilitates seamless adaptation to different turbine models and operational environments.
Potential Applications:
The managing and optimizing of the performance of gas-turbine engines
Advantages and Benefits:
This invention overcomes the traditional challenges of gas-turbine engines. It provides accurate thermodynamic modeling using performance maps and operational data which aids in performance optimization. It actively engages in the optimization of component-level design using software to improve component-system efficiency. It uses real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance to improve the efficiency and operability of the engines, which cannot be found in any other product. It also integrates an expert system specifically designed for emissions management.