Combustor cap assembly with impingement plate equipped with cooling tubes

Abstract

To provide a combustor cap assembly having an impingement plate with cooling tubes.SOLUTION: A cap assembly includes: an impingement plate 120 defining a plurality of impingement cooling holes 130 with a first side of the impingement plate in fluid communication with a cooling air plenum. The assembly also includes a combustor cap plate 140 coupled to the impingement plate, such that a second side of the impingement plate and the combustor cap plate define an impingement air plenum 146 therebetween. Tubes extend respectively from at least portions of the plurality of impingement cooling holes at the second side of the impingement plate and extend partially towards the combustor cap plate through the impingement air plenum. The impingement cooling holes provides fluid communication between the cooling air plenum and the impingement air plenum through the tubes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to turbomachinery, and more particularly to an impingement plate of a combustor cap assembly that includes a cooling tube for guiding a coolant to an upstream side of a cap plate.

Background Art

[0002] In a turbomachine (e.g., a gas turbine) that takes in air, the air enters a compressor and is gradually pressurized as it is sent toward a combustor. The compressed air is premixed with fuel and ignited within a reaction zone defined within a combustor liner, thereby generating high-temperature combustion gases. The combustion gases are then sent from the combustion chamber through the liner and / or a transition piece to the turbine section of the turbomachine, where the combustion gases flow across alternating rows of stationary vanes and rotor blades, the latter of which are fixed to a rotor shaft. As the combustion gases flow across the rotor blades, kinetic and / or thermal energy is transferred to the rotor blades, thereby causing the rotor shaft to rotate.

[0003] To increase turbine efficiency, modern combustors are operated at high temperatures, generating high thermal stresses in various mechanical components disposed within the combustor. As a result, at least a portion of the compressed air supplied to the combustor is used as cooling air to cool these components. For example, certain combustors include a generally annular combustor cap assembly that at least partially surrounds one or more fuel nozzles within the combustor. A particular combustor cap assembly design includes a cap plate disposed at a downstream end of the combustor cap assembly. The fuel nozzles typically extend at least partially through a cap plate disposed substantially adjacent to the combustion chamber. As a result, the cap plate is generally exposed to very high temperatures.

[0004] One method of cooling the cap plate is to direct a portion of the coolant, such as compressed cooling air, into the combustor cap assembly and onto the upstream side of the cap plate. The coolant is guided upstream of the cap plate by an impingement plate containing several holes inside. The impingement plate and the cap plate form an impingement air plenum between them. The impingement plate may also include a cooling flow return passage that sends coolant from the impingement cooling plenum upstream of the cap plate to cool other parts of the combustor. One challenge with cooling the combustor cap assembly in this form is that the cooling air may be guided away from the cap plate before it hits the upstream side of the cap plate, thereby reducing the cooling effect on the cap plate. [Overview of the project]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a combustor cap assembly comprising an impingement plate defining a plurality of impingement cooling holes, wherein the first side of the impingement plate is an impingement plate having fluid communication with a cooling air plenum, and a combustor cap plate coupled to the impingement plate, wherein the combustor cap plate and the second side of the impingement plate are a combustor cap plate defining an impingement air plenum between them, and a tube extending from at least a portion of the plurality of impingement cooling holes on the second side of the impingement plate and partially extending through the impingement air plenum toward the combustor cap plate, wherein the plurality of impingement cooling holes are tubes that provide fluid communication between the cooling air plenum and the impingement air plenum through the tube.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a combustor comprising an impingement plate defining a plurality of impingement cooling holes, wherein the first side of the impingement plate is an impingement plate coupled to the impingement plate, the impingement plate having fluid communication with a cooling air plenum, and the cap plate and the second side of the impingement plate are a cap plate defining an impingement air plenum between them, and a tube extending from at least a portion of the plurality of impingement cooling holes on the second side of the impingement plate and partially extending through the impingement air plenum toward the cap plate, wherein the plurality of impingement cooling holes are a combustor cap assembly including a tube that provides fluid communication between the cooling air plenum and the impingement air plenum through the tube, and a fuel nozzle extending through the combustor cap assembly.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for communicating a cooling air flow from a cooling air plenum through an impingement plate defining a plurality of impingement cooling holes internally, wherein a first side of the impingement plate is in fluid communication with the cooling air plenum, and a second side of the impingement plate guides the cooling air flow through a tube extending from at least a portion of the plurality of impingement cooling holes toward a combustor cap plate.

[0008] Another embodiment includes an insert for an impingement plate having a plurality of cooling holes inside, the insert comprising a body having a longitudinally penetrating opening, an exhaust end configured to be positioned within the impingement air plenum between the impingement plate and the upstream surface of the combustor cap plate, a flexible insertion end configured to be inserted into each of the plurality of cooling holes, and a fixing element between the exhaust end and the flexible insertion end, having a first outer dimension and configured to fix the body in place within each cooling hole.

[0009] Another embodiment relates to an impingement plate for a combustor cap assembly, comprising a first body defining a plurality of impingement cooling holes, wherein a first side of the first body is configured to be positioned in fluid communication with a cooling air plenum, and a second side of the first body is configured to be spaced apart and connected to a combustor cap plate, wherein the second side of the first body and the combustor cap plate comprise a first body defining an impingement air plenum between them and a tube extending from at least a portion of the plurality of impingement cooling holes on the second side of the impingement plate.

[0010] The exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are designed to solve the problems described herein and / or other problems not discussed herein.

[0011] These and other features of the Disclosure will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of various aspects of the Disclosure, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating various embodiments of the Disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary turbomachinery in the form of a gas turbine, which may incorporate at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an exemplary combustion section, from which the teachings of this disclosure can be used. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of an exemplary combustor cap assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a combustor cap assembly with a cooling tube insert according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a plan view of a combustor cap plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a combustor cap assembly with an integrated cooling tube according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a side view of a cooling tube insert according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a cooling tube insert in an impingement plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a cooling tube insert inserted into an impingement plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a cooling tube insert inserted into an impingement plate according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Please note that the drawings in this disclosure are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and should not be considered to limit the scope of this disclosure. In the drawings, similar reference numerals represent similar elements between drawings. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] As a first issue, in order to clearly describe the current technology, it is necessary to select specific technical terms when referring to and describing turbomachinery or related mechanical components within its combustor section. Wherever possible, common industrial terminology will be used and utilized in the same sense as its accepted meaning. Unless otherwise stated, such terminology should be given a broad interpretation consistent with the context of this application and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will understand that in many cases, certain components may be referred to using several different or overlapping terms. What may be described herein as a single part may include and be referred to in another context as consisting of multiple components. Or, what may be described herein as consisting of multiple components may be referred elsewhere as a single part.

[0015] In addition, several descriptive terms may be used in accordance with the rules of this specification, and it will be useful to define these terms at the beginning of this section. These terms and their definitions are as follows, unless otherwise specified: As used herein, “downstream” and “upstream” are terms indicating the direction of fluid flow, such as the working fluid through a turbine engine, or, for example, the airflow through a combustor, or the coolant through one of the components of a combustion section. The term “downstream” corresponds to the direction of fluid flow, and the term “upstream” refers to the opposite direction of flow. As used herein, fluid flow refers to cooling airflow. As used herein, the terms “forward” and “rear” refer to direction, unless otherwise specified, with “forward” referring to the front of the engine or the compressor end (or the combustor inlet end), and “rear” referring to the rear of the engine or the turbine end (or the combustor outlet end).

[0016] In many cases, it is required to describe components positioned at different radial locations with respect to the central axis. The term “radial” refers to movement or position perpendicular to the axis. For example, if a first component is located closer to the axis than a second component, this specification states that the first component is “radially inward” or “inside” the second component. On the other hand, if a first component is located further from the axis than a second component, this specification may state that the first component is “radially outward” or “outside” the second component. The term “axial” refers to movement or position parallel to the axis. Finally, the term “circumferential” refers to movement or position around the axis. It will be understood that such terms can be applied in relation to the central axis of the combustor described herein.

[0017] In addition, as described below, several descriptive terms may be used in accordance with the rules. The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to indicate the location or importance of any individual component.

[0018] The technical terms used herein are for the sole purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Where used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural unless otherwise specified. Where used herein, the terms “comprise” and / or “comprising” express the existence of the described features, integers, steps, actions, elements, and / or components, but will not be understood to exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, actions, elements, components, and / or sets thereof. “Optional” or “optional” means that the events or circumstances described later may or may not occur, or that the components or features described later may or may not exist, and this statement includes both instances in which the events or components occur or exist, and instances in which they do not occur or do not exist.

[0019] When an element or layer is referred to as “on top of,” “engaged with,” “joined with,” or “connected to” another element or layer, it may be directly on top of, engaged with, joined with, or connected to the other element or layer, or there may be an intervening element or layer. Conversely, when an element is referred to as “directly on top of,” “directly engaged with,” “directly joined with,” or “directly connected to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening element or layer. Other words used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted similarly (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent to” versus “directly adjacent to.”). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any combination of one or more of the related enumerated items.

[0020] As described above, the present disclosure provides an impingement plate having therein a cooling tube that delivers cooling air closer to the upstream side of the combustor cap plate. A combustor cap assembly and a combustor including the impingement plate are also provided. An insert that forms the cooling tube within the impingement plate and related methods are also described herein. The tube can extend from any number of multiple impingement cooling holes on the side of the impingement plate adjacent to the combustor cap plate and partially extend toward the combustor cap plate through an impingement air plenum between the impingement plate and the combustor cap plate. The multiple impingement cooling holes provide fluid communication between a cooling air plenum and the impingement air plenum through the tube. The cooling tube prevents the cooling air from being prematurely redirected away from the combustor cap plate before it impinges on the upstream side of the combustor cap plate, thus improving the cooling of the cap plate.

[0021] As described hereinafter, the cooling tube may be integrally formed with the impingement plate via, for example, additive manufacturing or casting, or an insert for the cooling holes can form the cooling tube for the impingement plate. The insert can include a body having a discharge end configured to be positioned within an impingement air plenum between the impingement plate and the upstream surface of the combustor cap plate and a flexible insertion end configured to be inserted into each cooling hole of the impingement plate. A fixing element between the discharge end and the flexible insertion end has an outer dimension and is configured to fixedly couple the body within each cooling hole.

[0022] Figure 1 shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary gas turbine system 10 ("GT system" 10) that can incorporate various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the GT system 10 generally includes an inlet section 12 that can include a series of filters, cooling coils, moisture separators, and / or other devices for cleaning and otherwise conditioning the working fluid (e.g., air 14) entering the GT system 10. The air 14 flows into a compressor section where the compressor 16 gradually imparts kinetic energy to the air 14 to generate compressed or pressurized air 18 (also referred to herein as "air 18" or "cooling air 18").

[0023] The compressed air 18 is mixed with fuel 20 from a fuel source 22 to form a combustible mixture within one or more combustors 24. The combustible mixture is burned to generate hot, high-pressure, and high-velocity combustion gases 26. The combustion gases 26 flow through a turbine 28 in the turbine section to generate work. For example, the turbine 28 can be coupled to a shaft 30 such that rotation of the turbine 28 drives the compressor 16 to generate compressed air 18. Alternatively, or in addition, the shaft 30 can connect the turbine 28 to a generator 32 for generating electricity. The exhaust gases 34 from the turbine 28 flow through an exhaust section 36 that connects the turbine 28 to an exhaust stack 38 downstream of the turbine 28. The exhaust section 36 can include, for example, a heat recovery boiler (not shown) for purifying and extracting additional heat from the exhaust gases 34 before they are released to the environment.

[0024] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an exemplary combustor 24 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the combustor 24 may be at least partially surrounded by at least one outer casing 40, such as a compressor discharge casing. The outer casing 40 is in fluid communication with the compressor 16 (FIG. 1) to receive at least a portion of the compressed air 18 therefrom.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the end cover 42 is coupled to the outer casing 40 to provide a seal around an opening defined within the outer casing 40. The opening is generally sized to accommodate the combustor 24. The outer casing 40 (and / or end cover 42) at least partially defines a high-pressure plenum 44 that at least partially encloses the combustor 24. The head end 46 of the combustor 24 is at least partially defined by the end cover 42 and the outer casing 40. The head end 46 defines a region within the combustor 24 where some of the compressed air 18 from the high-pressure plenum 44 reverses its flow direction.

[0026] At least one fuel nozzle 48 extends substantially axially within the outer casing 40 with respect to the axial centerline of the combustor 24 and / or the axial centerline of the end cover 42. As shown in Figure 2, the combustor 24 may include a plurality of fuel nozzles 48 extending axially within the head end 46. The fuel nozzles 48 may be coupled to the end cover 42 at a first end. A second or downstream end of a fuel nozzle 48 terminates in close proximity to a combustion chamber or zone 50 defined within a combustion liner 52 extending downstream from the fuel nozzle 48. As will be described later, the fuel nozzles 48 extend into the combustor cap assembly 100.

[0027] The combustion liner 52 may define at least partially an annular passage 54 within the outer casing 40. In certain embodiments, the annular passage 54 may be defined or further defined by one or more impingement sleeves or liners 56 surrounding the combustion liner 52. In certain embodiments, the annular passage 54 may be defined or further defined by one or more other liners or mechanisms, such as the outer casing 40, the end cover 42, and / or an inner wall provided within the outer casing 40. The annular passage 54 provides fluid communication between the high-pressure plenum 44 and the head end 46 of the combustor 24.

[0028] In various embodiments, the combustor cap assembly 100 extends radially, circumferentially, and axially within the forward or upstream end of the end cover 42. In one embodiment, the combustor cap assembly 100 includes an annular flow regulating plate 102 and an annular shroud 104. In certain embodiments, the combustor cap assembly 100 may include an annular secondary shroud 106 extending from the forward end 108 of the flow regulating plate 102 toward the end cover 42. The shroud 104 and / or secondary shroud 106 can be aligned coaxially with the flow regulating plate 102.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the flow regulating plate 102, shroud 104, and / or secondary shroud 106 surround at least a portion of the fuel nozzle 48 circumferentially. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the flow regulating plate 102 and shroud 104 define at least partially the cooling air plenum 110 around the fuel nozzle 48 in the combustor cap assembly 100. In other embodiments, the cooling air plenum 110 may be further defined by the secondary shroud 106. The cooling air plenum 110 is in fluid communication with the head end 46 of the combustor 24, which is in fluid communication with the high-pressure plenum 44 to deliver coolant to the cooling air plenum 110, as described above. The passage of the flow regulating plate 102 may also be in fluid communication with the cooling air plenum 110.

[0030] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the combustor cap assembly 100 shown in Figure 2 (with the fuel nozzle 48 removed) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, and Figure 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the combustor cap assembly 100. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the shroud 104 extends axially away from the rear end 112 of the flow regulating plate 102. The shroud 104 includes a first or front end 114 that is axially separated from a second or rear end 116. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the flange 118 extends radially inward from the shroud 104 toward the axial centerline of the shroud 104. In one embodiment, the flange 118 is positioned close to the first end 114. The flange 118 can be used to couple or connect the shroud 104 to a mounting mechanism (not shown) of the flow regulating plate 102. For example, one or more bolts or other suitable fasteners (not shown) can extend through the flange 118 to fix or join the two components together.

[0031] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the combustor cap assembly 100 further includes an impingement plate 120. In one embodiment, the impingement plate 120 is coupled to the shroud 104 adjacent to the second end 116. The impingement plate 120 includes a body 121 that extends at least partially radially and circumferentially across the second end 116 of the shroud 104. The impingement plate 120 can at least partially define at least one fuel nozzle passage 122 that penetrates generally axially to receive a fuel nozzle 48 (Figure 2).

[0032] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the impingement plate 120, more specifically its body 121, includes a first or upstream side 124. The impingement plate 120 (body 121) also includes a second or downstream side 126. The first side 124 of the body 121 is configured to be positioned in fluid communication with the cooling air plenum 110, and the second side 126 of the body 121 is configured to be spaced apart and joined to the combustor cap plate 140, for example, by welding. The second side 126 of the body 121 and the cap plate 140 define the impingement air plenum 146 between them. The impingement plate 120 may further include an outer band portion 128. The outer band portion 128 defines at least partially the radial outer circumference of the impingement plate 120. In various embodiments, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the impingement plate 120, more specifically its body 121, defines at least partially a plurality of impingement cooling holes 130. The impingement cooling holes 130 extend through the first side 124 and the second side 126 (Figures 3 and 4) and provide fluid communication from the cooling air plenum 110 through the impingement plate 120 to the impingement air plenum 146.

[0033] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, the impingement plate 120 further defines at least one cooling flow return passage 132. As shown, the cooling flow return passage 132 extends through a first side 124 and a second side 126, providing fluid communication through the impingement plate 120. In one embodiment, the cooling flow return passage 132 extends substantially axially through the impingement plate 120. The inlet 134 to the cooling flow return passage 132 is defined along the second side 126 of the impingement plate 120. In one embodiment, a ridge or region 136 of the second side 126 surrounds the inlet 134. The ridge 136 rises axially outward relative to the surrounding second side 126.

[0034] In certain embodiments, as shown in Figure 3, the outer band 128 defines, at least partially, a plurality of cooling passages 138 extending at a substantially certain angle with respect to radius R through the outer band 128 of the impingement plate 120, in contrast to conventional cooling passages. The plurality of cooling passages 138 provide fluid communication from the impingement air plenum 146 outward at a certain angle with respect to radius R. In this way, the cooling air exiting the cooling passages 138 exits the outer band 128 outward at a certain angle with respect to radius R, forming a cooling film on its outer surface. The angle can be any desired angle to form a desired outlet angle for the cooling air 18. In one optional embodiment, more cooling passages 138 can be formed or concentrated closer to the inlet 134 of the cooling flow return passage 132 than along the region of the outer band 128 that is not near the cooling flow return passage 132.

[0035] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the combustor cap assembly 100 further includes a combustor cap plate 140 (hereinafter, "cap plate 140") coupled to the impingement plate 120. The cap plate 140 may be coupled, for example, by welding to the outer band portion 128 of the impingement plate 120. As shown in Figure 4, the cap plate 140 extends circumferentially and radially across the impingement plate 120. As shown in Figure 3, the cap plate 140 includes an upstream impingement side 142 facing the second side 126 of the impingement plate 120. The opposite side or hot side 144 of the cap plate 140 faces the combustion zone or chamber 50 (Figure 2) when installed in the combustor 24. The combustor cap assembly 100 is operably coupled to the fuel nozzle 48. In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cap plate 140 further defines a fuel nozzle passage 122 through which the fuel nozzle 48 can extend.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3 and as previously described, the impingement side 142 of the cap plate 140 is axially spaced apart from the second side 126 of the impingement plate 120, defining the impingement air plenum 146 between them. The impingement plate 120, more specifically its body 121, contains a plurality of impingement cooling holes 130 (hereinafter, "cooling holes 130") inside. The cooling holes 130 provide fluid communication from the cooling air plenum 110 to the impingement air plenum 146.

[0037] In certain combustors, the cooling holes 130 may not provide sufficient cooling to the cap plate 140. In particular, certain combustors may provide fluid communication from the impingement air plenum 146, which can affect the ability of the cooling air 18 from the cooling holes 130 to efficiently cool the cap plate 140. For example, in the illustrated exemplary combustor, the cooling passage 138 provides fluid communication from the impingement air plenum 146. Also in the illustrated exemplary combustor, the cooling flow return passage 132 provides fluid communication from the impingement air plenum 146 to at least one upstream element 154 from the impingement plate 120. More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the combustor cap assembly 100 may include at least one fluid conduit 148 that fluidizes with the impingement air plenum 146 via the cooling flow return passage 132. The fluid conduit 148 extends from the impingement plenum 146 and / or the cooling return passage 132 through the cooling air plenum 110, defining an exhaust passage that is fluidly isolated from the cooling air plenum 110.

[0038] In various embodiments, as shown in Figure 3, the flow regulating plate 102 is coupled to the front end 114 and / or flange 118 of the shroud 104 and receives cooling air 18 from the impingement air plenum 146 via the fluid conduit 148 (and annular channel 54). The upstream element 154 is shown as including a specific flow regulating plate 102 (such as the one disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,964,308), but the upstream element 154 can use any currently known cooling upstream of the impingement plate 120. Burning It may include oven components. A non-exclusive list of upstream elements 154 may include a flow regulating plate 102 (illustrated), a shroud 104, a fuel nozzle 48, a casing 40, an end cover 42, and the like.

[0039] Typically, the cooling holes 130 are aligned to focus the jet of compressed air 18 directly onto the impingement side 142 of the cap plate 140 during the operation of the combustor 24, thus providing jet or impingement cooling. However, various passages (e.g., 132, 138) that provide fluid communication from the impingement air plenum 146 may prevent some of the air 18 from effectively hitting the impingement side 142 of the cap plate 140.

[0040] To address this situation, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a cooling tube 160 (hereinafter, "tube 160") extends from at least a portion of a plurality of impingement cooling holes 130 on the second side 126 of the impingement plate 120. The cooling holes 130 provide fluid communication between the cooling air plenum 110 and the impingement air plenum 146 through the tube 160. As shown in Figure 4, the tube 160 partially extends through the impingement air plenum 146 toward the combustor cap plate 140, but does not contact the impingement side 142 of the cap plate 140. In this way, the tube 160 ensures that more cooling air 18 hits the impingement side 142 of the cap plate 140 before fluid communication from the impingement air plenum 146.

[0041] In one embodiment shown in Figure 6, the tube 160 is integrally coupled to the impingement plate 120, i.e., the main body 121. That is, the tube 160 is formed as an extension of the cooling hole 130. The impingement plate 120 into which the tube 160 is integrated can be manufactured by any currently known method, including but not limited to additive manufacturing, casting, or subtractive manufacturing. Made It can be manufactured using a manufacturing process.

[0042] Returning to Figure 4, in another embodiment, each tube 160 is provided as an insert 162 into its respective cooling hole 130. In this way, the tube 160 provides the same function as a single-piece tube, but the tube can be applied to new and existing impingement plates 120. Thus, the insert 162 allows the application of the tube 160 to older, in-use impingement plates 120, thereby improving the cooling of the cap plate 140 in the combustion cap assembly 100 and combustor 24 used. The tube 160 in the form of an insert 162 can take any form that allows for fixed coupling to the cooling hole 130.

[0043] Figures 7 to 9 show cross-sectional views of the cooling tube 160 in insert form. Figure 7 is a side view of insert 162 only, Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of insert 162 in a predetermined position within each cooling hole 130 of the impingement plate 120, and Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of insert 162 in the process of being inserted / positioned into each cooling hole 130 of the impingement plate 120. Each cooling hole 130 has an internal dimension (ID1) near at least the second side 126 of the body 121 of the impingement plate 120. The cooling holes 130 can have any cross-sectional shape, such as circular, polygonal, etc.

[0044] A tube 160 in the form of an insert 162 may include a body 170 having an opening 172 that penetrates longitudinally. The opening 172 is in fluid communication with the cooling holes 130 and the cooling air plenum 110. The opening 172, having a diameter D, can have any cross-sectional shape, e.g., circular, polygonal, etc. Furthermore, within the range of the wall thickness of each cooling hole 130 and the body 170, the opening 172 can have any desired cross-sectional area. Figures 4 and 6 show a tube 160 with an opening 172 of uniform size (i.e., an opening 172 having a constant cross-sectional size and shape), but the tube 160 may have openings 172 of different sizes and / or shapes along the length of the opening 172. The shape and / or size of the opening 172 can be defined to provide any desired impingement cooling to the cap plate 140, i.e., to provide customized cooling as needed. The shape of the opening 172 may match or differ from the shape of the cooling holes 130. In some embodiments, the first insert 162 or the first group of inserts 162 may have an opening 172 of a first size and / or shape, and the second insert 162 or the second group of inserts 162 may have an opening 172 of a second size and / or shape.

[0045] The body 170 may also include an exhaust end 174 positioned within the impingement air plenum 146 and configured for the opening 172 to pass through. In one embodiment, the exhaust end 174 may include a chamfered surface 176 (Figure 7) to facilitate airflow around it, but this is not required in all cases. The exhaust end 174 has an outer dimension (OD1) that is greater than the inner dimension (ID1) of each cooling hole 130 (near the second surface 126 of the body 121), i.e., OD1 > ID1. In this way, the exhaust end 174 limits the extent to which the insert 162 can enter each cooling hole 130. The exhaust end 174 may include a seat 178 configured to contact the second side 126 of the impingement plate 120. The length L of the exhaust end from the seat 178 to the end of the insert 162 can determine the extent to which the tube 160 traverses the impingement air plenum 146. The length L can be defined to provide an arbitrary Z / D coefficient (Figure 8) or desired impingement cooling (where Z is the distance from the tube 160 to the impingement side 142 of the cap plate 140, and D is the diameter of the opening 172 of the tube 160). Although Figures 4 and 6 show a tube 160 of uniform length, it is emphasized that the length of the tube 160 can vary within a particular impingement plate 120 to provide customized cooling (e.g., different Z / D coefficients) to the cap plate 140 as needed.

[0046] The main body 170 may also include flexible insertion ends 180 configured to be inserted into each cooling hole 130, and a fixing element 182 between the discharge end 174 and the flexible insertion end 180. As described later, the fixing element 182 is configured to fixate the tube 160 within each cooling hole 130. The fixing element 182 has an outer dimension OD2 configured to form an interference fit 184 with the inner dimension ID1 of each cooling opening 130 (shown enlarged in Figure 8). As used herein, “interference fit” is any currently known between two tight fittings and mating parts that form a joint that is held together by friction when the parts are placed / biased together. ClosingThis may include methods such as press-fit, friction fit, adhesive fit, adhesive press-fit, and adhesive shrink-fit (where at least one part is heated).

[0047] The flexible insertion end 180 may include a retaining element 186 having an outer dimension OD3 that is larger than the outer dimension OD2 of the fixed element 182 and the inner dimension ID1 of each cooling hole 130. The flexible insertion end 180 also includes at least one bending mechanism 190 configured to allow the retaining element to bend as the retaining element 186 passes through the inner dimension ID1 of the cooling opening 130 in the insertion direction (downward as shown). The retaining element 186 may be configured to prevent it from coming out of the inner dimension ID1 of the cooling opening 130 once the insert 162 is inserted into the opening, for example, by molding and / or sizing. The bending mechanism 190 allows the retaining element 186 to bend between a relaxed position having an outer dimension OD3, as shown in Figure 8, and an inwardly bent position having a temporarily bent outer dimension OD4 that is smaller than the outer dimensions OD1 and OD2 of the body 121 and the inner dimension ID1 of each cooling hole 130, as shown in Figure 9.

[0048] The flexible insertion end 180 may also optionally include a tapered distal end 192 to assist, for example, insertion into the cooling opening 130. The bending mechanism 190 can take any form of structure that allows the distal end 192 to bend, making the outer dimension OD4 small enough to pass through the inner diameter ID1 of the cooling opening 130. In a non-limiting example, the bending mechanism 190 may include at least one slot 194 extending longitudinally from the distal end 192 of the flexible insertion end 180 through the wall of the body 170. Any number of slots 194 can be used, for example, a pair of diametrically opposed slots (illustrated), two pairs of diametrically opposed slots, an odd number of circumferentially spaced slots, etc. In this way, the insert 162 can be easily inserted into each cooling opening 130 and can be prevented from coming out of the cooling opening 130 by the retaining mechanism 186 in case of insufficient interference fit 184.

[0049] Insert 162 is any currently known insert capable of withstanding the environmental conditions of the combustor 24. Material The materials may include, but are not limited, the same material as the impingement plate 120, such as nickel or cobalt-based superalloy, or stainless steel. Similarly, if the tube 160 is integrated with the impingement plate 120, they can be made of the same material as the impingement plate.

[0050] The dimensions described herein can take any of the various forms depending on the cross-sectional shape of the cooling holes 130, tube inserts 162, etc. In certain embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, the cooling holes 130 and tube inserts 162 are circular, creating the relevant dimensional diameters of the respective structures. It will be readily apparent that the dimensions may also be widths of structures with other cross-sectional shapes, such as oval / elliptical, polygonal, etc.

[0051] In Figure 4, all cooling holes 130 are shown as including their respective tubes 160. However, as shown in Figure 6, not all cooling holes 130 require a tube 160. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the tube 160 can be used whenever necessary to provide the required cooling. Thus, in certain embodiments, some cooling holes 130 may not have a tube 160. Similarly, although all cooling holes 130 are shown with the same internal dimensions, the cooling holes 130 and / or tubes 160 may have different dimensions within a particular impingement plate 120, for example, the internal dimensions of each may vary across the impingement plate 120 to provide more or less cooling air 18 to desired locations to customize the cooling. In addition, as described herein, the length L (and associated Z / D coefficient) of the discharge end 174 of the tube 160 extending from the second side 126 of the impingement plate 120 may vary across the impingement plate 120 to provide the desired cooling as needed.

[0052] Referring to Figure 10, an alternative embodiment of the tube 260 in the form of an impingement plate 120 and an insert 262 is shown. In this embodiment, each of at least some of the multiple impingement cooling holes 130 includes a tube retaining seat 200 on the first side 124 of the impingement plate 120. Also in this embodiment, the body 270 of the insert 262 is configured to be positioned within each impingement cooling hole 130 and has an opening 172 that penetrates longitudinally. The tube 260 / insert 262 extends through the impingement cooling hole 130 with a clearance fit 284. That is, the outer dimension OD5 of the insert 262 is clearance fitted with the inner diameter ID1 of the impingement cooling opening 130, so OD5 ≤ ID1. The discharge end 274 of the insert 262 is configured to be positioned within the impingement air plenum 146, but without a seat 178 (Figure 8).

[0053] The main body 270 also includes a fixed collar 202 on the opposite side of the discharge end 274. The fixed collar 202 extends radially from the fixed end 210 of the main body 270. The fixed collar 202 is configured to interlock with the main body 270 within the pipe retaining seat 200. In this embodiment, the pipe retaining element 220 is joined, for example, by fasteners or welding to the first side 124 of the main body 121 of the impingement plate 120. The pipe retaining element 220 fixedly holds the fixed collar 202 within the pipe retaining seat 200, and the fixed collar holds each pipe 260 in place together with the discharge end 274 located within the impingement air plenum 146. The pipe retaining element 220 may include any member capable of holding the fixed collar 202 within the pipe retaining seat 200.

[0054] In a non-limiting example, the tube holding element 220 includes a perforated metal plate with a plurality of openings 222 aligned coaxially with the cooling holes 130 of the impingement plate 120. Specifically, each opening 222 of the tube holding element 220 is in fluid communication with an opening 172 in the body 270 of the cooling air plenum 110 and the tube 260, thus allowing coolant to flow from the cooling air plenum 110 through the tube holding element 220 and through the tube 260 to the impingement air plenum 146. Each opening 222 is appropriately sized so that its outer circumferential surface 224 engages with a fixing collar 202, thereby preventing the tube 260 from detaching from the impingement plate 120. The impingement plate 120 and the tube holding element 220 can each be provided with any number of tube holding seats 200 and openings 222.

[0055] Returning to Figures 4 and 6, during operation, the method according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include communicating cooling air 18 from a cooling air plenum 110 through an impingement plate 120 that defines cooling holes 130 internally. As described above, the first side 124 of the impingement plate 120 is in fluid communication with the cooling air plenum 110. The method may also include guiding the cooling air 18 through a tube 160 extending from at least a portion of the cooling holes 130 on the second side 126 of the impingement plate 120 toward the combustor cap plate 140. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure provide the tube 160 to the impingement plate 120, enabling more precise and closer delivery of the cooling air 18 to the combustor cap plate 140. The tube may be formed integrally with the impingement plate 120 or may be provided as an insert 162 so that it can be applied to an existing impingement plate 120.

[0056] Throughout this specification and the claims, the approximation language used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative expression that may vary to a reasonable extent without altering the fundamental function of the expression. Thus, values ​​modified by terms such as “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” are not limited to the exact value specified. In at least some examples, the approximation language may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure the value. Herein, and throughout this specification and the claims, limitations on ranges are interchangeable and / or substitutable, and unless the context or wording specifically indicates otherwise, such ranges are identified and include all subranges encompassed therein. “About,” applied to a particular value within a range, may indicate + / - 10% of the stated value, unless applied to the values ​​at both ends and particularly dependent on the precision of the instrument used to measure the value.

[0057] All corresponding structures, materials, actions, and equivalents of all elements of means-plus-function or step-plus-function in the following claims are intended to encompass all structures, materials, or actions for performing that function in combination with any other specifically claimed elements. The descriptions in this disclosure are presented for illustrative and explanatory purposes and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the forms disclosed herein. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. These embodiments have been selected and described in order to best illustrate the principles and practical applications of this disclosure and to enable other those skilled in the art to understand the various embodiments of this disclosure with various modifications to suit specific intended uses. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 10. Gas Turbine (GT) System 12 Entrance Section 14 Air 16 Compressor 18 Compressed air / Pressurized air / Cooling air 20 fuel 22 Fuel source 24 Combustor 26 Combustion gases 28 Turbine 30 shafts 32 Generators 34 Exhaust gas 36 Exhaust Section 38 Exhaust Stack 40 Outer casing 42 End cover 44 High-pressure plenum 46 Head end 48 Fuel nozzle 50 combustion chambers / zones 52 Combustion Liner 54 Circular channel 56 Impingement Sleeves / Liners 100 Combustor Cap Assembly / Combustion Cap Assembly 102 Flow adjustment plate 104 Shroud 106 Secondary Shroud 108 Front end 110 Cooling air plenum 112 Rear end 114 First end / front end 116 Second end / rear end 118 Flange 120 Impingement Plates 121 Main Unit 122 Fuel nozzle passage 124 First side / upstream side 126 Second side / downstream side / second surface 128 Outer band section 130 Impingement cooling holes / Impingement cooling openings 132 Cooling flow return passage 134 Entrance 136 Second side elevation / region / at least part 138 Cooling passage 140 Combustor Cap Plate 142 Impingement side 144 Opposite side of the cap plate / High temperature side 146 Impingement Air Plenum / Impingement Plenum 148 Fluid conduit 154 Upstream Elements 160 Cooling pipe 162 Inserts 170 Main Unit 172 Opening 174 Discharge end 176 Chamfered surface 178 Seat area 180 Flexible insertion end 182 fixed elements 184 Tight fit 186 Retention element / retention mechanism 190 Bending mechanism 192 Distal end 194 slots 200 Pipe holding seat 202 Fixed Color 210 Fixed end 220 Tube holding element 222 Opening 224 Outer surface 260 tube 262 Inserts 270 Main Unit 274 Discharge end 284 Gap Fitting D diameter L Length R radius Z distance ID1 Inner dimensions / Inner diameter OD1 External dimensions OD2 External dimensions OD3 External dimensions OD4 External dimensions OD5 External dimensions

Claims

1. An impingement plate (120) defining a plurality of impingement cooling holes (130), wherein the first side (124) of the impingement plate (120) is in fluid communication with a cooling air plenum (110), A combustor cap plate (140) coupled to the impingement plate (120), wherein the second side (126) of the impingement plate (120) and the combustor cap plate (140) define an impingement air plenum (146) between them, A tube (160) extending from each of at least a portion (136) of the plurality of impingement cooling holes (130) on the second side (126) of the impingement plate (120), and partially extending through the impingement air plenum (146) toward the combustor cap plate (140), The plurality of impingement cooling holes (130) provide fluid communication between the cooling air plenum (110) and the impingement air plenum (146) through the tube (160) and Equipped with, Each tube (160) comprises a body (121, 170) having a longitudinally penetrating opening (172), and the body further comprises a flexible insertion end (180) configured to be inserted into each cooling hole (130), in a combustor cap assembly (100).

2. Each unit (121, 170) is: A discharge end (174) configured to be positioned within the impingement air plenum (146), A fixing element (182) between the discharge end (174) and the flexible insertion end (180), wherein the fixing element (182) is configured to fixatively connect the pipe (160) within each of the cooling holes (130) and The combustor cap assembly (100) according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The combustor cap assembly (100) according to claim 2, wherein the fixing element (182) has a first outer dimension (OD2), and each of the cooling holes (130) has an inner dimension (ID1), and the first outer dimension (OD2) and the inner dimension (ID1) are configured to form an interference fit (184).

4. The aforementioned flexible insertion end (180) is A retaining element (186) having a second outer dimension (OD3) that is larger than the first outer dimension (OD2) of the fixed element (182) and the inner dimension (ID1) of each of the cooling holes (130), At least one bending mechanism (190) configured to enable bending of the retaining element (186) between a relaxed position having the second outer dimension (OD3) and an inwardly bent position having a temporarily bent outer dimension (OD4) smaller than the first and second outer dimensions (OD2, OD3) and the inward dimension (ID1) of each of the cooling holes (130), and The combustor cap assembly (100) according to claim 3, including the above.

5. The combustor cap assembly (100) according to claim 4, wherein the at least one bending mechanism (190) includes at least one slot (194) extending longitudinally from the distal end (192) of the flexible insertion end (180) through the wall of the tube (160).

6. The combustor cap assembly (100) according to claim 2, wherein the flexible insertion end (180) includes a tapered distal end (192) on the outside.

7. The combustion chamber cap assembly (100) according to claim 2, wherein the discharge end (174) has a chamfered surface (176).

8. The combustor cap assembly (100) according to claim 2, wherein the discharge end (174) includes an outer dimension (OD1) that is larger than the inner dimension (ID1) of each cooling hole (130), and a seat (178) configured to contact the second side (126) of the impingement plate (120).

9. The combustor cap assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the impingement plate (120) further includes an outer band (128), the outer band (128) defining a plurality of cooling passages (138) spaced circumferentially along the outer band (128), and the plurality of cooling passages (138) providing fluid communication from the impingement air plenum (146) outward at an angle with respect to the radius (R).

10. The combustor cap assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the impingement plate (120) defines a cooling flow return passage (132) that is in fluid communication with the impingement air plenum (146), and the cooling flow return passage (132) is in fluid communication with at least one upstream element (154) from the impingement plate (120).

11. A combustor cap assembly (100) operably coupled to a fuel nozzle (48), An impingement plate (120) defining a plurality of impingement cooling holes (130), wherein the first side (124) of the impingement plate (120) is in fluid communication with a cooling air plenum (110), A cap plate (140) coupled to the impingement plate (120), wherein the second side (126) of the impingement plate (120) and the cap plate (140) define an impingement air plenum (146) between them, and A tube (160) extending from each of at least a portion (136) of the plurality of impingement cooling holes (130) on the second side (126) of the impingement plate (120), and partially extending toward the cap plate (140) through the impingement air plenum (146), The plurality of impingement cooling holes (130) provide fluid communication between the cooling air plenum (110) and the impingement air plenum (146) through the tube (160). A combustor cap assembly (100) including, The fuel nozzle (48) extends through the combustor cap assembly (100) and Equipped with, A combustor (24) comprises a body (121, 170) having a longitudinally penetrating opening (172), the body further comprising a flexible insertion end (180) configured to be inserted into each cooling hole (130).

12. Each unit (121, 170) is: A discharge end (174) configured to be positioned within the impingement air plenum (146), A fixing element (182) between the discharge end (174) and the flexible insertion end (180), wherein the fixing element (182) is configured to fixatively connect the pipe (160) within each of the cooling holes (130) and The combustor (24) according to claim 11, further comprising:

13. The combustor (24) according to claim 12, wherein the fixing element (182) has a first outer dimension (OD2), and each of the cooling holes (130) has an inner dimension (ID1), and the first outer dimension (OD2) and the inner dimension (ID1) are configured to form an interference fit (184).

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