Combustor Panel Rail-Stud Layout for Cleaner Film Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Combustor panels in gas turbine engines face issues with dirt accumulation and reduced cooling effectiveness due to stud holes, standoff pins, and thermal growth, leading to degradation at stud locations.

Innovation Solution

The integration of asymmetrically arranged studs with a perimeter rail on combustor panels, which contact the combustor shell, reduces dirt collection zones and enhances cooling by allowing unrestricted film cooling holes, while improving structural stiffness and sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If studs are used to fasten panels to the combustor shell, then the panels can be securely attached, but dirt accumulates in the holes and around the studs, reducing cooling effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel attachment strengthVSAvoiddirt accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes traditional stud fasteners and standoff pins from the panel attachment system. Instead, integrated rails extend from the panel back surface and engage directly with the combustor shell, eliminating the holes and intermediate fasteners that created dirt accumulation zones while maintaining secure panel attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the panel structure with integrated rails that extend from the back surface. These rails are formed as part of the panel itself rather than being separate components, merging the panel body and attachment features into a single integrated structure that eliminates gaps where dirt could accumulate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If oversized holes are used in the combustor shell to accommodate thermal growth and manufacturing tolerances, then assembly is facilitated, but the holes create zones for dirt accumulation that degrade cooling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly toleranceVSAvoiddirt accumulation zone

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for oversized holes by removing the stud fastener system entirely. The integrated rails engage directly with the combustor shell surface without requiring penetration holes, thereby eliminating the dirt accumulation zones that would otherwise be created by large tolerance holes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating holes in the combustor shell to attach panels, the patent inverts the approach by having the panels themselves provide the attachment interface through integrated rails that contact the shell outer surface, reversing the traditional hole-making attachment methodology

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Strength

If standoff pins are added to react stud loads against the combustor shell, then structural support is provided, but additional dirt accumulation zones are created around the pins

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestud load supportVSAvoiddirt accumulation around pins

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes standoff pins from the system entirely. The integrated rails extend to contact the combustor shell outer surface and directly react the panel attachment loads, eliminating the need for intermediate standoff pins and the dirt accumulation zones they would create

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the load-bearing function previously performed by separate standoff pins into the integrated rail structure. The rails are formed as part of the panel and directly contact the combustor shell to react attachment loads, combining the panel body and load-bearing attachment features into a single integrated component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design improves durability, reduces thermal load, and enhances cooling efficiency by minimizing dirt accumulation and optimizing stud placement, thereby extending the lifespan of combustor panels.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of cooling holes extending from the back surface to the front surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

The rail is configured to contact the combustor shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical contact: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

The studs are received through holes in the combustor shell and fastened thereto with a nut

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP4675175A1Combustor panel with rail integrated perimeter studs

Publication Date: 2026.01.07 RTX CORP

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AI summary

A panel (106;122) for lining a combustor shell (102, 104, 124) of a combustor (56) of a gas turbine engine (20) includes a front surface (138) configured to face a combustion chamber (108) and a back surface (136; 636) configured to face the combustor shell (102, 104, 124), a rail (126; 626) extending from the back surface (136; 636) and defining a perimeter of the panel (106; 122), and a plurality of studs (130; 630) disposed adjacent to and connected to the rail (126; 626). The rail (126; 626) is configured to contact the combustor shell (102, 104, 124). The plurality of studs (130; 630) are configured to be received in a plurality of holes (552, 554) of the combustor shell (102, 104, 124). The plurality of studs (130; 630) are asymmetrically arranged around the perimeter of the panel (106; 122).