Burner Tip Heat-Conducting Structures for Thermal Stress Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The service life of burner tips in gas turbines is limited by the heat shield's ability to withstand combustion heat, leading to thermal stress and premature degradation.

Innovation Solution

Attaching heat-conducting structures to the outer wall of the burner tip, which protrude into the annular space, increases the surface area for heat transfer, allowing for enhanced cooling and reducing thermal loads on the outer wall, while connecting webs between the outer and inner walls facilitate even heat distribution and mechanical stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the outer wall is designed as a heat shield to withstand combustion heat, then the thermal stress resistance is improved, but the service life is limited due to thermal stress and premature degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stress resistanceVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a smooth two-dimensional outer wall surface to a three-dimensional structured surface with protrusions and cavities. This dimensional change increases the surface area by a factor of 1.5 to 3 times, enabling more effective heat dissipation through the annular space while maintaining the same wall thickness, thereby extending service life without compromising thermal stress resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The outer wall is designed with a porous-like structure consisting of protrusions and cavities that create additional surface area. This structured surface acts similarly to porous materials by providing numerous pathways and surfaces for heat transfer to the cooling air in the annular space, improving thermal management and extending component durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Temperature

If the surface area of the outer wall is increased to improve heat transfer, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer wall surface is segmented into multiple protrusions and cavities rather than being a continuous smooth surface. This segmentation creates discrete heat transfer zones that can be optimized independently, increasing overall surface area and cooling efficiency while maintaining a modular structure that is manageable in terms of manufacturing and design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Temperature

If heat-conducting structures are attached to the outer wall to increase surface area, then the heat transfer is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer rateVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-conducting structures are merged with the outer wall to form an integrated component rather than separate attached parts. The protrusions and cavities are formed as inherent features of the outer wall structure itself, eliminating the need for separate heat-conducting attachments and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining enhanced heat transfer performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 extends the service life of the burner tip by improving cooling efficiency, reducing thermal stress, and ensuring more even heating, thereby enhancing the component's durability and performance.

Implementation Method 1

heat-conducting structures that increase the surface area of the outer wall available for heat transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

air flowing through the annular space absorbs heat from the outer wall via convection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

heat-conducting structures connect the outer and inner walls, enabling heat to be conducted from the outer wall to the inner wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3526519B1Burner tip comprising an air duct system and a fuel channel system for a burner and method for production thereof
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3526519B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3526519B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3526519B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Various embodiments include a burner tip for installing in a burner comprising: an air passage system open to the surrounding area of the burner tip; a fuel passage system open to the surrounding area of the burner tip; an inner wall and an outer wall; an annulus between the inner wall and the outer wall; and heat-conducting structures projecting into the annulus from the outer wall connecting the outer wall and the inner wall. The annulus forms a part of the air passage system. The heat-conducting structures include connecting ribs. Connecting passages extend through the connecting ribs, open on one end into the annulus and on another end through the outer wall.