Combustor Liner Cover Plate Alignment Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of cover plates to combustor liners in gas turbine systems is challenging due to the need for precise alignment of cooling holes and channels, which is time-consuming and prone to misalignment, potentially leading to damage or failure of the combustor liner.
Innovation Solution
An alignment tool with a base and an alignment rod is used to position the cover plate relative to the combustor liner, ensuring accurate alignment of cooling holes with channels by inserting the rod through the holes, facilitating efficient and precise assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional manual assembly methods are used to position the cover plate on the combustor liner, then the assembly process can be completed, but the alignment precision of cooling holes with channels deteriorates, leading to potential damage or failure of the combustor liner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces alignment tools as intermediary devices between the cover plate and combustor liner. These tools include alignment features that engage with corresponding features on both components, serving as a mediator to ensure precise alignment during assembly. The alignment tools transfer the alignment function from the critical component interfaces to the tool interfaces, protecting the combustor liner from misalignment damage while achieving precise hole-to-channel alignment.
2Productivity
If traditional manual assembly methods are used without alignment tools, then the assembly process can be completed, but the assembly time increases and productivity deteriorates due to the time-consuming nature of achieving precise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates alignment features directly into the cover plate and combustor liner designs. These pre-integrated alignment features enable workers to quickly engage alignment tools and achieve proper alignment without time-consuming manual measurement and adjustment procedures. The preliminary inclusion of alignment features in the component designs significantly reduces assembly time while maintaining high productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If alignment tools are introduced to improve alignment precision, then the alignment accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases due to the additional assembly tools required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs alignment tools with multi-functional capabilities. The alignment tools serve multiple purposes: they provide alignment references during assembly, act as positioning fixtures, and can guide the insertion of cooling holes. By consolidating multiple functions into single alignment tool components, the patent reduces the overall number of different tool types needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high alignment precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assembling a combustor includes positioning an alignment tool in an axial channel of a combustor liner. The alignment tool includes a base and an alignment rod extending from the base. The method further includes positioning a cover plate around the combustor liner. A plurality of cooling holes are defined in the cover plate. The method further includes aligning the cover plate with the combustor liner by inserting the alignment rod through one of the plurality of cooling holes.