Annular Combustion Chamber Head Part Self-Locating Heat Shield

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas turbine combustion chamber designs require an excessive number of components, leading to increased cost, weight, and complex assembly and disassembly processes, particularly due to the need for multiple fastening systems and sequential assembly of burner components.

Innovation Solution

A head part of an annular combustion chamber with a self-locating heat shield and burner collar configuration, where the burner collar is held between the heat shield's protruding portion and the end wall's set back portion, allowing for easier installation and reduced component count, with the heat shield being self-locating with respect to the end wall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple fastening systems and retaining washers are used to secure the burner collar, then the burner collar is firmly held in place, but the number of components increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburner collar securingVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat shield is merged with the end wall by directly fastening it to the outer surface of the end wall, eliminating the need for separate retaining washers and location rings. This consolidation reduces the number of components while maintaining the securing function through the integrated heat shield-burner collar assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat shield serves multiple functions: it protects the end wall from thermal damage, secures the burner collar in place through direct fastening, and eliminates the need for separate retaining structures. This multi-functionality reduces overall component count while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple fastening systems and retaining washers are used to secure the burner collar, then the burner collar is firmly held in place, but the assembly and disassembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburner collar securingVSAvoidassembly and disassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the heat shield fastening system with the burner collar mounting, the assembly requires fewer discrete steps. The burner collar is secured directly to the heat shield without requiring separate installation of retaining washers and location rings, significantly reducing assembly and disassembly time during maintenance overhauls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the head components are assembled from the cold side of the end wall, then the assembly process is standardized, but the accessibility and convenience of assembly decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly standardizationVSAvoidassembly accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heat shield is fastened to the outer surface of the end wall rather than the inner surface, inverting the traditional assembly approach. This allows assembly to be performed from the combustion chamber side, improving accessibility and convenience while maintaining standardized fastening procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If location rings and burner collars are posted through a slot in the cowl, then the components can be installed, but the cowl weight increases and the installation process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent installationVSAvoidcowl weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The slot in the cowl along with its cover plate and rivets is completely removed from the design. The heat shield and burner collar assembly is fastened directly to the end wall, eliminating the need for the cowl slot infrastructure and thereby reducing cowl weight and installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2518408B1A head part of an annular combustion chamber
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 ROLLS ROYCE PLC
  • EP2518408B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP2518408B1 patent drawingFigure 1(c)
  • EP2518408B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)

AI summary

A head part (100) of an annular gas turbine combustion chamber (102) comprising: an end wall (110) with a passage opening (112) for accommodating a burner, the end wall comprising a set back portion (114') adjacent the passage opening; a heat shield (120) covering a back side (110a) of the end wall (110) which faces towards the combustion chamber (102), the heat shield (120) comprising a protruding portion (126) shaped to cooperate with the set back portion (114) of the end wall (110); and a burner collar (130) adapted to fit within the passage opening (112) and receive a burner, the burner collar (130) comprising a protruding portion (132) radially protruding from an outer surface of the burner collar (130); wherein the head part of the annular gas turbine combustion chamber is configured such that in an installed configuration the protruding portion (132) of the burner collar (130) is held between the protruding portion (126) of the heat shield (120) and the set back portion (114) of the end wall (110).