Gas Turbine Blade Inner Cavity Cleaning via Reverse Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning the inner channels of gas turbine blades are ineffective in removing machining residues, particularly when these residues obstruct cooling holes and narrow passages, leading to incomplete cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a vessel with a cleaning fluid bath, a header, and a pump to create a pressurized flow of cleaning fluid from outlet holes to inlet openings within the blade, ensuring effective removal of machining residues through a reverse flow mechanism and filtration, with heating to enhance degreasing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cleaning methods are used for inner channels, then the cleaning process is simple, but machining residues obstruct cooling holes and narrow passages making cleaning ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional cleaning approach by reversing the flow direction of cleaning fluid. Instead of injecting fluid from inlet openings toward outlet holes, the system immerses outlet holes in a cleaning fluid bath and pumps fluid through the inner channels from outlet to inlet, allowing residues to be flushed out in reverse direction for more effective removal from obstructed cooling holes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using a pressurized cleaning fluid bath and pump system. The outlet holes are immersed in a cleaning fluid bath, and a pump creates pressure differential to force fluid through the narrow inner channels and cooling holes, utilizing hydraulic pressure to effectively penetrate and remove machining residues from obstructed passages
2Productivity
If conventional cleaning methods are used, then the equipment is simple, but cleaning time is excessive due to incomplete residue removal
Solution Approach 1:
By reversing the flow direction through immersion of outlet holes in cleaning fluid bath and pumping from outlet to inlet, the system achieves more complete and faster residue removal, significantly reducing cleaning time compared to conventional methods that leave residues obstructing cooling holes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous circulation of cleaning fluid through the inner channels via the pump system. The fluid continuously flows through the channels from outlet to inlet and is recirculated, maintaining constant cleaning action that efficiently removes residues and reduces overall cleaning time
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
The solution enables complete removal of machining residues, reducing overall cleaning time and ensuring optimal cleanliness of gas turbine blades by using a pressurized flow and filtration system.
Implementation Method 1
a first pump arranged along the feed line and designed to draw the cleaning fluid from the tank and send it to the vessel at such a pressure as to produce a flow of cleaning fluid flowing from the outlet hole of the inner cavity to the inlet opening of the inner cavity of the blade
Implementation Method 2
with heating to enhance degreasing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A device (20) for cleaning a gas turbine blade (1), comprises: - a vessel (21) suitable for containing a cleaning fluid bath and provided with a header (30); the blade (1) to be cleaned being couplable to the header (30) while the outlet hole (16) of the inner cavity (13) is immersed in the cleaning fluid bath; - a tank (22) suitable for containing the cleaning fluid; - a feed line (24) connecting the tank (22) to the vessel (21); - a return line (25) connecting the header (30) of the vessel (21) to the tank (22); - a first pump (26) designed to draw the cleaning fluid from the tank (22) and send it to the vessel (21) at such a pressure as to produce a flow of cleaning fluid flowing from the outlet hole (16) of the inner cavity (13) to the inlet opening (15) of the inner cavity (13) of the blade (1).