Combustion Chamber Segment Groove-Hook Connection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional annular combustion chambers comprising segments face challenges in withstanding ultimate load situations, such as compressor surge or combustion chamber flameout, due to high radial loads, which can cause dislocation and stress, especially when welded together.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a combustion chamber with upstream and downstream ring structures and circumferentially arranged segments, where each segment has a frame structure with integral inner and outer walls, featuring grooves and hooks for secure attachment to the ring structures, allowing for differential thermal expansion and load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If combustion chamber segments are welded together to withstand ultimate load situations, then structural strength and stability are improved, but the advantages of modular segments are lost and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The combustion chamber is divided into multiple removable segments that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each segment contains a frame structure with integral inner and outer walls, allowing modular construction that reduces overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining structural integrity through the groove-hook connection system.
Solution Approach 2:
A downstream ring structure acts as an intermediary component between the combustion chamber segments and the combustion chamber casing. This ring structure provides a standardized interface with grooves and hooks that securely connect segments without requiring welding, thereby maintaining strength while simplifying manufacturing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If combustion chamber segments are made removable to allow thermal expansion, then adaptability to thermal conditions is improved, but radial restraint during extreme loads may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system between combustion chamber segments and the downstream ring structure is designed to be dynamically adaptable. The groove-hook connection allows for differential thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining secure attachment during normal operation and extreme load conditions, providing both thermal adaptability and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The design accommodates thermal expansion by allowing dimensional changes in the combustion chamber segments relative to the downstream ring structure. The removable connection enables the segments to expand and contract freely during thermal cycles while the groove-hook mechanism ensures radial restraint is maintained during extreme loads through the abutting portion.
3Reliability
If combustion chamber segments are welded to ensure structural integrity, then reliability under ultimate loads is improved, but ease of repair and replacement is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The combustion chamber is constructed from removable segments that can be independently replaced without affecting the entire structure. Each segment maintains structural integrity through its frame structure with integral walls and the groove-hook connection system, enabling easy repair and replacement while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The downstream ring structure serves as a standardized intermediary interface that simplifies repair and replacement operations. The groove-hook connection system provides reliable attachment that can be quickly assembled and disassembled, allowing damaged segments to be replaced without complex welding operations while maintaining structural integrity.
4Ease of manufacture
If combustion chamber segments are designed with integral frame structure and walls to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but load distribution capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The combustion chamber segments are designed with integral frame structures and walls that can be manufactured as single pieces, simplifying the manufacturing process. The frame structure includes a downstream end with a groove that interfaces with the downstream ring structure, providing secure attachment while maintaining ease of manufacture through reduced assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The downstream ring structure acts as an intermediary that distributes loads from multiple combustion chamber segments evenly across the combustion chamber casing. The groove-hook connection system ensures that loads are effectively transferred from the integral frame structures through the ring structure to the casing, maintaining load distribution capability despite the simplified integral design.
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 design provides radial restraint during extreme loads, allows for thermal expansion, and enables easy replacement or repair of segments, reducing cooling air requirements and enhancing mixing efficiency within the combustion chamber.
Implementation Method 1
Each combustion chamber segment being removably secured to the downstream ring structure to allow differential thermal expansion and/or contraction between the combustion chamber segments and the downstream ring structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine combustion chamber includes upstream and downstream ring structures and a plurality of circumferentially arranged combustion chamber segments. Each segment extends the full length of the combustion chamber and each segment is secured to the upstream ring structure and is mounted on the downstream ring structure. A frame structure at the downstream end of each segment has multiple spaced radially extending holes. The downstream end of each segment has an axially upstream extending groove and the downstream ring structure has an annular axially upstream extending hook which locates in the groove of each segment. A portion of the downstream ring structure abuts the frame structure of each segment. The downstream ring structure has multiple holes through the portion abutting the frame structure and segment is removably secured to the downstream ring structure by multiple fasteners locating in the holes in the segments and the downstream ring structure.