Burner Lance Nozzle Alignment via Pin and Bayonet Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing burner lances face alignment issues between nozzles due to thermal and mechanical stresses, leading to misalignment of fuel and air injection paths, which affects the correct operation of the burner.
Innovation Solution
A lance design featuring a form-fitting pin and hole connection between the sleeve and duct, along with a centering and stop arrangement using a bayonet system, ensures precise alignment and stability of the nozzles despite thermal and mechanical stresses, and a method for retrofitting existing lances to maintain nozzle alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the sleeve and duct are connected without a form-fitting pin connection, then the construction is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the alignment of nozzles is lost during operation due to thermal and mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
A pin is introduced as an intermediary element between the sleeve and duct to maintain their relative positions. The pin fits into a hole in the duct and is secured by the sleeve, acting as a mediator that prevents radial movement and maintains nozzle alignment without requiring complex welding or threading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into distinct components: the pin, the hole in the duct, and the securing mechanism in the sleeve. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately with standard tolerances and assembled to achieve precise nozzle alignment, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while improving precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the sleeve is rigidly fixed to prevent all movement, then nozzle alignment is maintained, but thermal expansion and mechanical stress relief are compromised leading to potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a static rigid fix to a dynamic system that allows controlled movement. The bayonet-style connection with clearance enables the sleeve to move axially relative to the duct, accommodating thermal expansion and stress while the pin prevents radial displacement, thus maintaining nozzle alignment. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to operational conditions without compromising strength.
3Manufacturing precision
If a complex centering and stop arrangement is implemented, then nozzle alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex external centering and stop arrangements, the invention inverts the approach by integrating the centering function directly into the connection mechanism itself. The pin-hole arrangement with bayonet-style engagement provides inherent centering and stopping capabilities, eliminating the need for separate complex centering devices and simplifying the manufacturing and assembly process.
Data Source
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Figure 5~12
AI summary
The lance (6) comprises a duct (10) having at least a nozzle (12), a sleeve (13) around the duct (10), the sleeve (13) having at least a nozzle (14), the nozzle (12) of the duct (10) and the nozzle (14) of the sleeve (13) are aligned. The sleeve (13) has a terminal portion (20) closed by a cap (21) having a pin (22), the duct (10) has a hole (23), the pin (22) is form fittingly inserted into the hole (23). The method for retrofitting the lance comprises removing the closed terminal portion of the sleeve, providing a cap (21) having a pin (22), providing a hole (23) in the duct (10), form fittingly inserting the pin (22) into the hole (23), connecting the cap (21) to the sleeve (13).