Ceramic Helmholtz Resonator for Combustion Chamber Acoustic Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of resonators in gas turbine combustion chamber systems is complex and costly, with high cooling air requirements that increase the overall fuel system's energy consumption due to the use of thin-walled metallic materials and complex cooling channels.

Innovation Solution

A ceramic Helmholtz resonator replaces the metallic welding construction, featuring ring-shaped or segmented cavities that open to both the hot and cold sides to dampen acoustic vibrations, reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs while minimizing high-temperature gradients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thin-walled metallic materials with internal cooling channels are used for resonators, then the resonators can be manufactured with complex cooling structures, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the metallic mechanical cooling structure with a ceramic resonator that utilizes the thermal properties of combustion gases directly. The ceramic material inherently withstands high temperatures without requiring complex internal cooling channels, thus substituting the mechanical cooling system with a thermally resistant material solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameter from metallic to ceramic, which fundamentally alters the thermal behavior. Ceramic materials have higher temperature resistance and different thermal conductivity, allowing the resonator to operate without extensive cooling channels while maintaining structural integrity at high temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If extensive cooling air surfaces are provided in the resonator area, then the cooling effect is improved, but the cooling air requirement increases relative to the entire combustion chamber system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectVSAvoidcooling air requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal parameter of the resonator material from metallic to ceramic, which has superior high-temperature resistance. This parameter change eliminates the need for extensive cooling air surfaces, as the ceramic material can withstand combustion temperatures directly, thereby reducing the cooling air requirement while maintaining the cooling effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If high combustion temperatures are endured by metallic resonator materials, then the resonator can operate in the combustion zone, but temperature gradients cause cracks and reduce service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh-temperature resistanceVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter from metallic to ceramic, which fundamentally improves high-temperature resistance. Ceramic materials can endure high combustion temperatures without developing thermal gradients that cause cracking, thereby significantly extending the service life and reliability of the resonator in the combustion zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If metallic resonators are used in the combustion chamber system, then the resonators can be manufactured with standard metalworking processes, but the manufacturing cost is high due to complex welding constructions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemanufacturabilityVSAvoidwelding construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the metallic welding construction system with a ceramic resonator system. Ceramic resonators can be manufactured using成型 processes without requiring complex welding assemblies, thus substituting the mechanical welding system with a ceramic forming process that eliminates welding complexity while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs, lowers the high-temperature requirements for metallic supporting structures, and extends maintenance intervals by avoiding crack-causing temperature gradients, while allowing for easier transferability to competitor pipe brace systems.

Implementation Method 1

The ceramic resonator according to the Helmholtz principle replaces a metallic welded construction of a resonator system of a tubular combustion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHelmholtz resonance: Helmholtz Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP4058729B1Ceramic resonator for combustion chamber systems and combustion chamber system
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4058729B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4058729B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a ceramic resonator (1) for combustion chamber systems and combustion chamber system, wherein the resonator (1) is annular when seen in the axial throughflow direction (10) and comprises cavities (16) in the interior, the cavities (16) having at least one resonator neck (14) per cavity (16) as a connection to the inner surface (7) of the ceramic resonator (1). According to the invention, by using a ceramic resonator (1), the amount of cooling air required is significantly reduced.