Pin-fin array

Abstract

The present application provides an airfoil with a cooling flow therein. The airfoil may include an internal cooling passage, a number of cooling holes in communication with the internal cooling passage, and a number of pin-fins positioned within the internal cooling passage. The pin-fins are arranged with one or more turning openings and one or more guiding openings so as to direct the cooling flow towards the cooling holes.

1 . An airfoil with a cooling flow therein, comprising:
 an internal cooling passage;   a plurality of cooling holes in communication with the internal cooling passage; and   a plurality of pin-fins positioned within the internal cooling passage;   the plurality of pin-fins comprising one or more turning openings and one or more guiding openings so as to direct the cooling flow towards the plurality of cooling holes.   
     
     
         2 . The airfoil of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pin-fins comprises a non-uniform array. 
     
     
         3 . The airfoil of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of internal cooling passages. 
     
     
         4 . The airfoil of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pin-fins comprises a staggered positioning across a pair of columns. 
     
     
         5 . The airfoil of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of pin-fins comprises a staggered positioning across a plurality of columns. 
     
     
         6 . The airfoil of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more turning openings comprise a first distance between a first pair of the plurality of pin-fins, the one or more guiding openings comprise a second distance between a second pair of the plurality of pin-fins, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. 
     
     
         7 . The airfoil of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more turning openings turn the cooling flow about ninety (90) degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The airfoil of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cooling holes comprises a plurality of trailing edge cooling holes. 
     
     
         9 . The airfoil of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of turning openings over a plurality of columns. 
     
     
         10 . The air foil of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of guiding openings over a plurality of columns. 
     
     
         11 . An airfoil with a cooling flow therein, comprising:
 an internal cooling passage;   a plurality of cooling holes in communication with the internal cooling passage; and   a plurality of pin-fins positioned within the internal cooling passage in a non-uniform array;   the plurality of pin-fins comprising one or more turning openings and one or more guiding openings in a staggered positioning so as to direct the cooling flow towards the plurality of cooling holes.   
     
     
         12 . The airfoil of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more turning openings comprise a first distance between a first pair of the plurality of pin-fins, the one or more guiding openings comprise a second distance between a second pair of the plurality of pin-fins, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. 
     
     
         13 . The airfoil of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more turning openings turn the cooling flow about ninety (90) degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The airfoil of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of cooling holes comprises a plurality of trailing edge cooling holes. 
     
     
         15 . The airfoil of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of turning openings over a plurality of columns. 
     
     
         16 . The air foil of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of guiding openings over a plurality of columns. 
     
     
         17 . An internal cooling passage with a cooling flow therein, comprising:
 a plurality of cooling holes; and   a plurality of pin-fins positioned within the internal cooling passage;   the plurality of pin-fins comprising one or more turning openings with a first distance between a first pair of the plurality of pin-fins, one or more guiding openings with a second distance between a second pair of the plurality of pin-fins, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.   
     
     
         18 . The internal cooling passage of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of pin-fins comprises a non-uniform array. 
     
     
         19 . The internal cooling passage of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more turning openings turn the cooling flow about ninety (90) degrees. 
     
     
         20 . The internal cooling passage of  claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of turning openings over a plurality of columns.