Combustor Dilution Hole Structure and Skeleton Mesh

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine combustors face challenges in maintaining liner durability under harsh heat and stress conditions, with existing designs often experiencing air leakage and weight-related issues that impact efficiency and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A combustor design featuring a skeleton mesh structure with ceramic or metal-coated planks and dilution holes that reduce air leakage and enhance durability, incorporating a lightweight and modular configuration with thermal expansion tolerance and improved aerodynamics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional combustor liner designs are used, then structural strength is maintained, but weight is excessive and air leakage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliner durabilityVSAvoidcombustor weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The combustor liner is divided into multiple discrete planks (first planks and second planks) that are modularly assembled. This segmentation allows for optimized material usage in each plank, reducing overall weight while maintaining structural integrity through the modular configuration. The skeleton mesh structure is also segmented into multiple bars that can be independently optimized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material construction with planks made of ceramic or metal-coated materials mounted onto a metal skeleton mesh structure. This composite approach allows the planks to provide thermal insulation and heat resistance while the metal mesh provides structural strength, achieving weight reduction without sacrificing durability or strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional combustor designs are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but air leakage reduces efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustor integrityVSAvoidair leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the skeleton mesh structure with the plank assembly to create an integrated combustor liner system. The skeleton bars are positioned within grooves of the planks, creating a unified structure where the mesh provides both support and sealing surfaces, eliminating gaps and air leakage paths that would exist in separate conventional designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plank design incorporates thin-walled structures with integrated sealing features that conform to the skeleton mesh structure. The planks act as flexible yet rigid elements that seal against the mesh bars, preventing air leakage while maintaining structural integrity under thermal and mechanical stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Duration of action of stationary object

If heavy-duty combustor designs are used, then durability is ensured, but maintenance complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustor service lifeVSAvoidmaintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The combustor liner is segmented into multiple replaceable planks mounted on a permanent skeleton mesh structure. This segmentation allows individual planks to be removed and replaced during maintenance without affecting the entire combustor assembly or requiring removal of the skeleton structure, significantly simplifying repair operations while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The planks are designed as extractable components that can be independently removed from the skeleton mesh structure. This extraction capability enables maintenance personnel to access and replace worn or damaged planks without disassembling the entire combustor, reducing maintenance time and complexity while preserving the durable skeleton structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The solution significantly increases combustor durability, reduces weight by over 20%, and simplifies maintenance, while minimizing air leakage and enhancing fuel efficiency and manufacturing cost savings.

Implementation Method 1

at least one dilution hole configured to allow cooler air to mix with hot combustion gases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDilution:

Implementation Method 2

A combustor design featuring a skeleton mesh structure with ceramic or metal-coated planks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11859824B2Combustor with a dilution hole structure

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A combustor including a skeleton structure. The combustor further includes at least one liner operably coupled to the skeleton structure to at least partially define a combustion chamber, and a plurality of first planks mounted to a first side of the at least one liner and a plurality of second planks mounted to a second side of the at least one liner. The combustor also includes at least one dilution hole structure provided with a portion of the skeleton structure, and including at least one dilution hole configured to allow fluid to pass therethrough into the combustion chamber.