Combustor Mounting Body for Thermal Expansion Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbine combustors, relative motion between the combustion liner, sleeve, and fuel injector causes leakage and mechanical stresses due to differential thermal expansion, leading to inefficiencies and mechanical issues.
Innovation Solution
A combustor assembly design that includes a mounting body with a jacket and flange portion, where the auxiliary component, such as a fuel injector, is securely fastened to both the combustion liner and outer sleeve using fasteners, creating a seal and allowing for thermal expansion while minimizing leakage and stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the auxiliary component is rigidly fixed to the combustion liner and sleeve, then mechanical strength and positioning stability are improved, but thermal stress and leakage increase due to differential thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting body incorporates a flexible membrane or diaphragm that can deform elastically in response to differential thermal expansion between the combustion liner and sleeve. This flexible element maintains the sealed connection between the auxiliary component and both components while accommodating their relative motion, preventing leakage without requiring rigid fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting body is designed to change its physical parameters (shape, volume, or position) in response to thermal conditions. As the combustion liner and sleeve expand at different rates, the mounting body deforms to maintain proper sealing clearance, adapting to the changing thermal state rather than resisting it with rigid constraints.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the auxiliary component is rigidly fixed to the combustion liner and sleeve, then positioning stability is improved, but mechanical stress increases due to differential thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane in the mounting body allows the auxiliary component to maintain its functional position relative to both the combustion liner and sleeve while accommodating their differential thermal expansion. The flexibility absorbs thermal stresses that would otherwise be transmitted to the auxiliary component, maintaining positioning stability without excessive stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting body transitions from a static, rigid connection to a dynamic, adaptable connection. The flexible elements allow the mounting structure to move and deform in response to thermal conditions, maintaining proper positioning while absorbing thermal stresses through controlled deformation rather than rigid resistance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the auxiliary component extends through the sleeve and combustion liner, then functional integration is improved, but leakage paths increase between plenum and hot gas path
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane or diaphragm in the mounting body creates a dynamic seal around the auxiliary component as it passes through the sleeve and combustion liner. This flexible sealing arrangement maintains functional integration by allowing the auxiliary component to extend through both components while preventing leakage paths between the plenum and hot gas path through adaptive sealing.
4Strength
If the auxiliary component is securely fastened with fasteners, then mechanical connection strength is improved, but adaptability to thermal expansion decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting body uses flexible membrane elements in conjunction with fasteners to create a connection that is both strong and adaptable. The flexible portions accommodate thermal expansion and contraction, while the fastened portions maintain secure mechanical connection, combining the benefits of both rigid and flexible connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting body is divided into segmented portions, with some sections providing rigid fastened connections for structural strength and other sections providing flexible membrane elements for thermal expansion accommodation. This segmentation allows different parts of the mounting structure to perform different functions simultaneously.
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 design effectively reduces air leakage and mechanical stresses, enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of the gas turbine combustor by securely mounting auxiliary components and allowing for thermal expansion without compromising the seal.
Implementation Method 1
the liner and the sleeve both expand and contract at different rates as the combustor cycles through various thermal conditions
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A combustor assembly includes a combustion liner 36 defining a first radial opening 66, an outer sleeve 50 that at least partially surrounds the combustion liner 36. The outer sleeve 50 defines a second radial opening 74. A mounting body 62 having a jacket portion 68 and a flange portion 70 surrounds the first radial opening 66 and extends radially outwardly from an outer surface 64 of the combustion liner 36 towards the outer sleeve 50. The flange portion 70 is at least partially disposed within the second radial opening 74. An auxiliary component 58 extends radially within the jacket portion 68 and includes a flange portion 86. The flange portion 86 of the auxiliary component 58 is connected to the flange portion 70 of the mounting body 62 via a first fastener 84, and the flange portion 86 of the auxiliary component 58 is connected to the outer sleeve 50 via a second fastener 92.