Gas Turbine Combustion Chamber Heat Shield Tile Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing combustion chambers of gas turbines face operational safety risks and high maintenance costs due to the deterioration and potential catastrophic damage of supporting elements exposed to high temperatures, leading to mechanical failures and inefficiencies in the heat shield's protective function.
Innovation Solution
The combustion chamber incorporates supporting elements with a heat insulating layer made of refractory material, such as ceramic or MCrAlY alloy, applied to the protecting plate of the supporting elements, which extends between the tiles and covers the base, preventing direct exposure to high temperatures and maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the heat shield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If removable supporting elements are used to fix tiles, then tiles can be easily installed and maintained, but the supporting elements are exposed to high temperatures and deteriorate over time
Solution Approach 1:
A protecting plate made of heat-resistant material is introduced as an intermediary component between the supporting element and the high-temperature combustion environment. This protecting plate is permanently fixed to the supporting element and extends into the combustion volume to cover the base of the supporting element, shielding it from direct thermal exposure while allowing the supporting element to maintain its mechanical function for tile retention
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting element system combines multiple materials with complementary properties: the supporting element itself (providing mechanical strength and retention function) and the protecting plate made of heat-resistant material (providing thermal protection). This composite structure allows each component to perform its specialized function, with the protecting plate resisting thermal degradation while the supporting element maintains structural integrity
2Temperature
If cooling systems are used to protect supporting elements, then temperatures of supports are limited, but the system complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful thermal exposure is extracted and isolated from the supporting element by introducing a separate protecting plate component. This protecting plate is permanently fixed to the supporting element and extends into the combustion volume, creating a physical barrier that separates the heat source from the supporting element, thereby eliminating the need for active cooling systems
3Device complexity
If exposed portions of supporting elements are left without protection, then the structure remains simple, but burns and cracks occur impairing functionality
Solution Approach 1:
A protecting plate made of heat-resistant material is introduced as an intermediary component between the supporting element and the high-temperature combustion environment. This protecting plate is permanently fixed to the supporting element and extends into the combustion volume to cover the base of the supporting element, shielding it from direct thermal exposure while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting element system combines multiple materials with complementary properties: the supporting element itself (providing mechanical strength and retention function) and the protecting plate made of heat-resistant material (providing thermal protection). This composite structure allows each component to perform its specialized function with minimal 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
This solution effectively reduces the risk of damage to the supporting elements, prolongs the heat shield's efficiency, minimizes maintenance needs, and lowers operational costs by preventing breakage and catastrophic failures, thus enhancing operational safety and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
supporting elements with a heat insulating layer made of refractory material, such as ceramic or MCrAlY alloy, applied to the protecting plate of the supporting elements, which extends between the tiles and covers the base, preventing direct exposure to high temperatures
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A combustion chamber of a gas turbine assembly comprises: a casing (8), defining a combustion volume (8a) therein; a heat shield (10), which lines the inside of the casing (8) and comprises a plurality of tiles (12, 12a, 12b) of a refractory material; structural elements (15) shaped so as to define housing seats (26) of the tiles (12, 12a, 12b) and withhold the tiles (12, 12a, 12b) in the respective housing seats (26); and thermal protection elements (22), arranged so as to cover portions of the structural elements (15) facing the inside of the casing (8).