Turbomachine Casing Flange Flow Guide Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steam flow resistance around casing flanges in turbomachines causes turbulence and reduces fluid velocity, leading to inefficiencies in steam flow and turbine operation.
Innovation Solution
A flow guide structure comprising a flat portion, an inclined portion, and a bending portion is positioned to seal and guide fluid flow around the flange, reducing resistance and turbulence by directing steam flow smoothly over the flange, with optional buffering bars and supporting units to maintain the inclined shape and alleviate pressure and thermal expansion issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If flanges are used to connect upper and lower casings, then structural assembly is enabled, but steam flow resistance and turbulence increase around the flange area
Solution Approach 1:
A flow guide structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the upper and lower casings at the flange area. This flow guide includes a guide body with a guiding surface that redirects steam flow, and a sealing member that prevents leakage. The flow guide mediates the conflict by providing a smooth flow path while maintaining the structural connection, thereby reducing turbulence and flow resistance without compromising the structural assembly function of the flanges
2Strength
If flanges are positioned at the casing connection, then structural coupling is achieved, but fluid velocity reduces and flow direction changes rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guide structure employs curved and inclined surfaces instead of sharp angular transitions. The guiding surface of the guide body features a curved configuration that gradually redirects steam flow, avoiding sudden direction changes. This curved geometry maintains fluid velocity by reducing flow separation and turbulence, while still allowing the flanges to perform their structural coupling function
3Device complexity
If conventional flange structure is used, then casing connection is simplified, but steam flow smoothness deteriorates due to stepped shape
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guide structure is segmented into distinct functional components: a guide body with guiding surfaces for flow redirection, and a separate sealing member to prevent leakage. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the guide body maintains flow smoothness through its curved surfaces, while the sealing member ensures proper sealing, collectively improving steam flow smoothness without significantly increasing overall device 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
The flow guide structure significantly reduces steam flow resistance and turbulence, improving fluid flow efficiency and maintaining the structural integrity of the flange during turbine operation.
Implementation Method 1
a flow guide structure comprising a flat portion, an inclined portion, and a bending portion which is positioned to seal and guide fluid flow which flows close to the flange portion
Implementation Method 2
The flow guide structure significantly reduces steam flow resistance and turbulence, improving fluid flow efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A flow guide structure for a casing flange, and a casing and a turbomachine having the same, include a flange portion connecting an upper casing and a lower casing and a flow guide positioned at the flange portion to guide fluid to flow close to the flange portion, whereby steam flow resistance is reduced around an inner casing flange of a turbine and the steam flow is smoothed.