CMC Cross-Over Tube Structure for Combustor Thermal Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cross-over tubes in turbine engine combustors are vulnerable to structural failure due to excessive thermal loading, necessitating a more durable and thermally resistant solution.
Innovation Solution
A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) cross-over tube with a flange configuration that extends into combustor liners, featuring a passageway for fluid communication and integrated cooling channels to mitigate thermal stress, made from materials like Silicon Carbide/Silicon Carbide or Aluminum Oxide/Aluminum Oxide composites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cross-over tubes are used in combustors, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the tube is vulnerable to structural failure due to excessive thermal loading
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-over tube is manufactured from ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials, specifically silicon carbide fiber-reinforced silicon carbide matrix (SiC/SiC) or aluminum oxide fiber-reinforced aluminum oxide matrix (Al2O3/Al2O3). These composite materials provide superior thermal resistance and structural durability under sustained thermal loading compared to traditional materials, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture by accepting increased manufacturing complexity to achieve dramatically improved thermal performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters by transitioning from conventional metals or ceramics to CMC materials with specific fiber-matrix combinations. This parameter change enables the tube to withstand higher temperatures and thermal stresses, improving reliability while the manufacturing process (forming porous preforms and infiltrating with matrix material) is designed to be feasible despite the complexity
2Reliability
If cross-over tube thickness is increased to withstand thermal loading, then thermal resistance improves, but the weight of the tube increases
Solution Approach 1:
The CMC composite structure provides high strength-to-weight ratio and superior thermal resistance. The fiber-reinforced composite architecture allows the tube to withstand thermal loading with thinner walls compared to traditional materials, thereby improving thermal resistance while maintaining or reducing weight
Solution Approach 2:
The tube incorporates localized features such as flanges at specific positions for engagement with combustor liners, and potentially variable wall thickness or cooling channels in high-stress regions. This local quality optimization provides thermal resistance where needed without uniformly increasing the entire tube's weight
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid conduit may be provided comprising a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) cross-over tube and a flange. The CMC cross-over tube may comprise a first end configured to extend into a first combustor liner of a gas turbine engine, and a second end configured to extend into a second combustor liner of a gas turbine engine. The interior of the CMC cross-over tube may define a passageway. The flange may extend outwardly from an outer surface of the CMC cross-over tube. The flange may be configured to engage at least one of the first combustor liner and the second combustor liner.