Gas Turbine Combustor Base Plate Bolted Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas turbine combustors face low maintainability due to the need for repeated welding and detachment of a disc-shaped base plate, which strains the components and complicates repairs and modifications.

Innovation Solution

A bolt-based attachment system where the base plate engages with protruding members on the combustor swirler basket's inner surface, allowing for easy attachment and detachment, thereby improving maintainability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the base plate is welded to the combustor swirler basket, then the attachment strength is improved, but the maintainability deteriorates due to repeated welding and detachment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidmaintainability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate is divided into a removable segment that can be detached from the combustor swirler basket. This segmentation allows the base plate to be separated into manageable parts for easy maintenance while maintaining strong attachment during operation through the engaging portions and bolts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system transitions from a static welded connection to a dynamic removable connection. The base plate can be attached and detached as needed, providing operational flexibility for maintenance while ensuring secure attachment during combustor operation through the engaging portions and bolt mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the base plate is welded to the combustor swirler basket, then the attachment is secure, but the component strain increases due to repeated welding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidcomponent strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate is segmented with dedicated engaging portions that interface with corresponding features on the combustor swirler basket. This segmentation allows for secure mechanical engagement through bolts without requiring repeated welding that would strain the base plate material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Bolts serve as an intermediary element between the base plate and combustor swirler basket, providing a secure connection without direct welding. This intermediary fastening method distributes stress more evenly and avoids the thermal strain and material degradation associated with repeated welding operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the base plate is welded to the combustor swirler basket, then the attachment is fixed, but the attachment accuracy decreases due to welding strain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidattachment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate includes engaging portions that mate with corresponding features on the combustor swirler basket, creating a segmented interface that ensures precise alignment. This segmented design with defined engagement surfaces maintains attachment accuracy without the distortion caused by welding strain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The welding process is replaced with a mechanical fastening system using bolts and engaging portions. This substitution eliminates the thermal field and associated distortion from welding, providing stable and accurate attachment through precise mechanical interfacing of the engaging portions with the combustor swirler basket.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2781838B1Gas turbine combustor
Publication Date: 2019.04.24 MITSUBISHI HITACHIPOWER SYST LTD
  • EP2781838B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2781838B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2781838B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Provided is a gas turbine combustor having improved maintainability obtained by facilitating the mounting and removal of a base plate for supporting main burners and a pilot burner. A gas turbine combustor is provided with: a pilot burner (13) disposed at the center of a combustor inner tube (11) ; main burners (14) provided on the outside of the pilot burner (13) in the radial direction so as to be arranged in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface (11a) of the combustor inner tube (11); a circular disc-shaped base plate (15) disposed within the combustor inner tube (11) and supporting both the pilot burner (13) and the main burners (14); and an engagement section (41A, 41B, 42b, 43b, 44) protruding from the inner peripheral surface (11a) toward the inside thereof in the radial direction and engaging with the base plate and (15) . The base plate (15), and the engagement section (41A, 41B, 42b, 43b, 44) or the inner peripheral surface (11a) are affixed by bolts (60).