Turbine engine with interstage heat

Abstract

Efficiency and/or power are increased in a turbine engine by using a self-contained, passive heat transfer device, such as a heat pipe, to transfer heat from working fluid in one section of the engine to working fluid in another section of the engine.

1 . A turbine engine comprising:
 a turbine;   means for delivering a hot, pressurized working fluid to said turbine; and   a self-contained, passive heat transfer device arranged to transfer heat from working fluid in one section of said engine to working fluid in another section of said engine.   
   
   
       2 . The turbine engine of  claim 1  wherein said heat transfer device is a heat pipe having a condensing section and an evaporative section. 
   
   
       3 . The turbine engine of  claim 2  wherein said means for delivering a hot, pressurized working fluid to said turbine includes a compressor, and wherein said condensing section is in thermal communication with working fluid discharged from said compressor and said evaporative section is in thermal communication with working fluid downstream of said means for delivering a hot, pressurized working fluid to said turbine. 
   
   
       4 . The turbine engine of  claim 3  further comprising a diffuser located downstream of said compressor, said condensing section being in thermal communication with said diffuser. 
   
   
       5 . The turbine engine of  claim 4  wherein said condensing section is incorporated into said diffuser. 
   
   
       6 . The turbine engine of  claim 2  wherein said means for delivering a hot, pressurized working fluid to said turbine includes a heat source, and wherein said condensing section is in thermal communication with working fluid in said turbine and said evaporative section is in thermal communication with working fluid in said heat source. 
   
   
       7 . The turbine engine of  claim 2  wherein said condensing section is in thermal communication with working fluid in an aft portion of said turbine and said evaporative section is in thermal communication with working fluid in a forward portion of said turbine. 
   
   
       8 . The turbine engine of  claim 2  wherein said means for delivering a hot, pressurized working fluid to said turbine includes a compressor, and wherein said condensing section is in thermal communication with working fluid in a heat sink and said evaporative section is in thermal communication with working fluid in said compressor. 
   
   
       9 . The turbine engine of  claim 8  wherein said heat sink is a bypass flow. 
   
   
       10 . The turbine engine of  claim 2  wherein said means for delivering a hot, pressurized working fluid to said turbine includes a boiling device, and wherein said condensing section is in thermal communication with working fluid in said turbine and said evaporative section is in thermal communication with working fluid in said boiling device. 
   
   
       11 . The turbine engine of  claim 2  wherein said turbine is an axial turbine having multiple stages of turbine nozzles. 
   
   
       12 . The turbine engine of  claim 11  wherein said condensing section is in thermal communication with an aft stage turbine nozzle. 
   
   
       13 . The turbine engine of  claim 12  wherein said means for delivering a hot, pressurized working fluid to said turbine includes a combustor, and wherein said evaporative section is in thermal communication with working fluid in said combustor. 
   
   
       14 . The turbine engine of  claim 12  wherein said evaporative section is in thermal communication with a forward stage turbine nozzle. 
   
   
       15 . The turbine engine of  claim 12  wherein said means for delivering a hot, pressurized working fluid to said turbine includes a boiling device, and wherein said evaporative section is in thermal communication with working fluid in said boiling device. 
   
   
       16 . The turbine engine of  claim 11  wherein said condensing section is incorporated into one of said turbine nozzles. 
   
   
       17 . The turbine engine of  claim 11  wherein said evaporative section is incorporated into one of said turbine nozzles. 
   
   
       18 . The turbine engine of  claim 1  further comprising one or more additional a heat transfer devices arranged to transfer heat from working fluid in one section of said engine to working fluid in another section of said engine. 
   
   
       19 . A method of operating a turbine engine comprising a turbine, said method comprising:
 expanding a hot, pressurized working fluid in said turbine; and   using at least one self-contained, passive heat transfer device to transfer heat from working fluid in one section of said engine to working fluid in another section of said engine.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein heat is transferred away from said turbine.