Combustor Nozzle Vibration Damping via Intermediary Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Combustor nozzle vibrations in industrial and power generation systems lead to increased wear, cracking, and premature failure due to high vibration environments, which existing designs struggle to effectively dampen due to design clearances and manufacturing tolerances.

Innovation Solution

A system and method involving a first and second set of nozzles with a damping member attached to the first set, surrounding at least a portion of the nozzles, and a gap between the damping member and the second set, allowing for vibration disruption and damping through contact, utilizing materials like T800, WC17Co, Stellite 6, or CM64 to dissipate vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If design clearances are increased to allow for thermal growth and manufacturing tolerances, then thermal expansion accommodation is improved, but vibration damping effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal expansion accommodationVSAvoidvibration damping effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A damping member is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent nozzles. This damping member serves dual purposes: it provides vibration damping through direct contact with vibrating nozzles while the gap between the damping member and nozzles allows for thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances. The damping member mediates between the conflicting requirements of vibration control and thermal accommodation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If damping members are placed in direct contact with nozzles to maximize vibration damping, then vibration damping effectiveness is improved, but thermal expansion capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration damping effectivenessVSAvoidthermal expansion capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The damping member is positioned to provide partial contact with the nozzles rather than continuous contact. The gap between the damping member and nozzle surfaces allows for thermal expansion while still enabling vibration damping when vibrations occur. This partial action approach satisfies both requirements by providing damping only when needed (during vibration) while maintaining thermal expansion capability during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If tight tolerances are used to improve vibration damping, then vibration damping effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration damping effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The damping member acts as a mediator that decouples the tight tolerance requirement from the nozzle assembly. By positioning the damping member with a gap relative to the nozzles, the system achieves vibration damping without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances on the nozzle interfaces themselves. The damping member absorbs vibrations while the gap accommodates manufacturing variations and thermal growth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Effectively reduces nozzle vibrations by disrupting frequency, thereby minimizing wear and failure, while allowing for thermal expansion and contraction without compromising damping effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

means for damping vibrations between the first and second sets of nozzles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

contacting at least one nozzle in the second set of nozzles with the first damping member on at least one nozzle in the first set of nozzles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

utilizing materials like T800, WC17Co, Stellite 6, or CM64 to dissipate vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelastic damping: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8443611B2System and method for damping combustor nozzle vibrations

Publication Date: 2013.05.21 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

A system for damping combustor nozzle vibrations includes an end cover and a combustion chamber downstream from the end cover. First and second sets of nozzles extend axially between the end cover and the combustion chamber. The second set of nozzles is adjacent to the first set of nozzles. The system includes means for damping vibrations between the nozzles with a gap between the means for damping vibrations. A method for damping combustor nozzle vibrations includes flowing a working fluid through first and second sets of nozzles, wherein the first set of nozzles includes a damping member attached to and circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the first set of nozzles, and contacting at least one nozzle in the second set of nozzles with the damping member on at least one nozzle in the first set of nozzles.