Method and apparatus for cleaning a turbofan gas turbine engine
US7497220B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 16, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 3, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF04D29/705
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Device for cleaning a gas turbine engine (2), and in particular an engine of turbofan type. The present invention further relates to a method for cleaning such a engine. The device comprises a plurality of nozzles (31, 33, 35) arranged to atomize cleaning liquid in the air stream in an air inlet (20) of the engine (2) up-stream of a fan (25) of the engine (2). According to the invention a first nozzle (31) is arranged at a position such that the cleaning liquid emanating from the first nozzle (31) impinges the surfaces of the blades (40) substantially on the pressure side (53); a second nozzle (35) is arranged at a position such that the cleaning liquid emanating from the second nozzle (35) impinges the surfaces of the blades (40) substantially on the suction side (54); and a third nozzle (33) is arranged at a position such that the cleaning liquid emanating from the third nozzle (33) passes substantially between the blades (40) and enters an inlet (23) of the core engine (203). Thereby, the different types of fouling found on the fan and in the core engine compressor of turbofan engine can be removed in an efficient manner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.