Combustor Support Leg Non-linear Window Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high stress concentrations at the corners and sides of rectangular and square-shaped windows in combustor support legs lead to cracking and frequent failures, resulting in increased maintenance costs and engine downtime in turbine engines.
Innovation Solution
The support legs feature windows with perimeters defined by non-linear segments, specifically a configuration of arcuate segments that minimize stress field interruption, reducing stress development along the perimeter and surrounding areas, and are coupled to the combustor using a liner coupling portion and casing coupling portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If rectangular or square-shaped windows are used in support legs, then the manufacturing process is simple and straightforward, but high stress concentrations develop at the corners and sides leading to cracking and frequent failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the sharp corners and straight lines of traditional rectangular/square windows with rounded corners and curved segments. Specifically, each corner is rounded with a radius between 0.1 to 0.5 times the window side length, and the sides are curved rather than straight. This curvature eliminates stress concentration points while maintaining manufacturing feasibility, directly resolving the contradiction between simple manufacturing and high reliability.
2Device complexity
If traditional rectangular or square windows with rounded corners are used, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but stress concentrations still develop causing cracking and reduced on-wing service time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances curvature by using arcuate segments with varying radii instead of simple rounded corners. Each side of the window is defined by an arcuate segment with a radius that varies along the perimeter, creating a more gradual stress distribution. This advanced curvature design extends on-wing service time while keeping the overall window configuration relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the radius of curvature at different locations along the window perimeter. Instead of uniform rounding, each arcuate segment has a specific radius optimized for its position, with smaller radii at corners and larger radii at midpoints of sides. This localized optimization reduces stress concentrations without overly complicating the overall design.
3Reliability
If frequent replacement of support legs is performed to prevent failures, then engine downtime and maintenance costs are reduced, but productivity decreases and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curved window design prevents stress-induced cracking and extends support leg service life, reducing the frequency of replacements. This directly increases engine productivity by minimizing downtime while maintaining high reliability through the stress-distributing curved geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assembling a combustor for use in a turbine engine is provided. The method includes providing at least one support leg, forming at least one opening in the support leg, wherein the at least one opening has a perimeter defined only by a plurality of non-linear segments, and coupling the support leg to the combustor.