Aft Frame Cooling Microchannels for Gas Turbine Transition Pieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling methods for aft frames in gas turbine transition pieces are ineffective in reaching and cooling the downstream face and corners, leading to inadequate thermal management.
Innovation Solution
The aft frame assembly incorporates a main body with upstream and downstream facing surfaces, radially outer and inner facing surfaces, and microchannels that connect to a high-pressure plenum, allowing for efficient cooling through a network of cooling channels and exit holes that exhaust into a cooling annulus, ensuring effective cooling of the aft frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If working fluid is removed through holes in the aft frame to cool the aft frame, then some cooling effect is achieved, but the cooling fluid does not reach the downstream face and downstream corners that need cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling channels (first cooling channel, second cooling channel, third cooling channel) that distribute cooling fluid to different regions of the aft frame. Each channel serves specific areas: the first channel cools the downstream face, the second channel cools the downstream corners, and the third channel provides additional cooling, ensuring comprehensive thermal management of all critical regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the aft frame are provided with tailored cooling solutions based on their specific thermal requirements. The downstream face receives cooling through the first cooling channel, while the downstream corners receive dedicated cooling through the second cooling channel. This localized cooling approach ensures that each area receives appropriate cooling fluid flow to maintain reliable operation under thermal stress.
2Device complexity
If conventional cooling holes are used in the aft frame, then the structure is simple, but the downstream face and corners cannot be effectively cooled
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system transitions from simple through-holes to a three-dimensional network of cooling channels embedded within the aft frame structure. The first cooling channel extends through the downstream face, the second cooling channel reaches the downstream corners, and the third cooling channel provides additional cooling paths. This dimensional expansion of the cooling architecture enables effective thermal management of previously inaccessible regions without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
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 configuration ensures that the cooling fluid reaches and effectively cools the critical areas of the aft frame, reducing thermal stresses and improving the longevity and durability of the transition pieces and associated components.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of cooling channels are formed in the main body and terminate at the microchannels. The cooling channels are configured to receive input from a high pressure plenum and transport cooling fluid to the microchannels for heat removal.
Implementation Method 2
The microchannels are formed in or near the radially inner facing surface and the downstream facing surface... ensuring effective cooling of the aft frame. The cooling fluid reaches and effectively cools the critical areas of the aft frame, reducing thermal stresses.
Implementation Method 3
A plurality of feed hole inlets are coupled to a plurality of cooling channels passing through the main body. The feed hole inlets are located to receive input from a high pressure plenum, driving the cooling fluid through the cooling channels and microchannels.
Data Source
AI summary
An aft frame assembly has a main body with an upstream facing surface, a downstream facing surface, a radially outer facing surface and a radially inner facing surface. Feed hole inlets are located on the upstream facing surface and radially outward of the outer sleeve so that the feed hole inlets are located to receive input from a high pressure plenum. The feed hole inlets are coupled to cooling channels that pass through the main body. Microchannels are formed in or near the radially inner facing surface and the downstream facing surface. The cooling channels are connected to and terminate in the microchannels. Exit holes are connected to the plurality of microchannels, and the exit holes are located radially outward of the transition piece and radially inward of the outer sleeve. The exit holes are located to exhaust into the cooling annulus.