Adjustable Cooling Tube Retention Device for Turbomachine Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling systems for low-pressure turbine casings in turbomachines face challenges in achieving optimal radial positioning of cooling tubes to avoid wear while maintaining efficient cooling, due to large diameter parts and accumulated tolerances, leading to potential contact between clamps, tubes, and the casing.
Innovation Solution
A holding device with a fixing plate and adjustable elements, including a cylindrical body with a threaded portion and self-locking nut, allows for precise adjustment and damping of relative movements between the holding element and the fixing plate, enabling controlled clearance between cooling tubes and the casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling tubes are positioned close to the casing to optimize cooling efficiency, then cooling performance is improved, but the risk of contact and wear between parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an adjustable holding device that allows the cooling tube position to be dynamically adjusted rather than fixed. The device includes a fixing plate with a through-opening, a holding element that can move relative to the fixing plate, and adjustment means (threaded portion with nut) that enable precise positioning. This dynamic adjustment capability allows optimization of cooling efficiency while preventing contact wear by finding the optimal clearance position.
2Adaptability or versatility
If intermediate parts are used to hold cooling tubes, then positioning flexibility is improved, but tolerance accumulation increases and positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated holding device. The device combines the fixing plate (secured to casing), holding element (surrounding cooling tube), and adjustment means (threaded positioning mechanism) into one unified structure. This eliminates the need for multiple separate intermediate parts, thereby reducing tolerance accumulation while maintaining positioning flexibility through the integrated adjustment mechanism.
3Temperature
If clearance between cooling tubes and casing is reduced to optimize cooling, then cooling performance is improved, but the risk of contact and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes through its adjustment mechanism. The holding element's position relative to the fixing plate can be precisely controlled by rotating the nut on the threaded portion, thereby changing the clearance parameter between the cooling tube and casing. This allows optimization of cooling performance by reducing clearance while preventing contact damage by stopping before contact occurs at the optimal clearance position.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables precise adjustment of cooling tube positioning, optimizing cooling efficiency while minimizing the risk of contact and wear, by allowing for controlled clearance adjustments based on dimensional constraints and engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
said adjustment means comprises a screwing element cooperating with said threaded portion of said body to adjust the relative position of said holding element with respect to said fixing plate
Implementation Method 2
said adjustment means comprises an elastic return element to damp a relative movement between the holding element and the fixing plate
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a retention device (101) for at least one cooling tube (120) of a cooling system (100) for a turbomachine case (10), the case (10) extending about an axial direction (X) of the turbomachine, the retention device (101) comprising a fixing plate (104) which can be rigidly connected to the case (10) and a retention element (160) for the cooling tube (120), the retention device (101) being characterised in that it comprises an adjustment means (183, 150, 170) which is configured to adjust the relative position of the retention element (160) with respect to the fixing plate (104) and to damp a relative movement between the retention element (160) and the fixing plate (104).