Combustor Washer Cooling Passage for Stud Thermal Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine combustors face high thermal loads, leading to thermal stresses and reduced service life of combustor components, particularly in the mechanical fastener arrangements used to secure combustor panels to the shell.
Innovation Solution
A combustor design that includes a washer surrounding the stud, positioned between the retainer and the combustor shell, which defines a cooling flow passage to direct cooling airflow onto the stud and standoff, thereby reducing thermal stress and extending component life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If mechanical fastener arrangements with studs and nuts are used to secure combustor panels to the shell, then the combustor panels can be firmly attached, but the service life of the fasteners is reduced due to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
A washer is introduced as an intermediary component between the nut and the combustor shell. This washer includes a cooling flow passage that directs cooling air to the stud and standoff, thermally protecting these fastener components from high temperatures while maintaining the mechanical attachment function
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling flow passage utilizes pneumatic flow of cooling air to remove heat from the fastener components. The passage is configured to direct cooling airflow to impinge on the stud and standoff, using fluid dynamics to achieve thermal protection
2Reliability
If the studs are exposed to high temperatures in the combustor environment, then the mechanical fastening function is maintained, but the thermal stress reduces the service life of the combustor components
Solution Approach 1:
The washer serves as a thermal intermediary that protects the stud and standoff from direct exposure to high temperatures. The cooling flow passage in the washer directs cooling air to create a thermal barrier, extending the service life of the fastener components while maintaining fastening reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling flow passage changes the thermal parameter (temperature) of the stud and standoff by introducing cooling airflow. This parameter change reduces thermal stress on the components, allowing them to maintain their mechanical properties for longer service periods
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 cooling airflow through the washer's cooling flow passage effectively reduces the temperature of the studs and standoffs, thereby extending their service life and improving the reliability of the gas turbine engine combustor.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling flow passage configured to direct a cooling airflow through the shell opening to impinge the cooling flow on the stud and on the standoff
Implementation Method 2
a cooling flow passage configured to direct a cooling airflow through the shell opening to impinge the cooling flow on the stud and on the standoff
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A combustor (26) for a gas turbine engine (20) includes a combustor shell (58) having a shell opening (84) therethrough, a combustor panel (64) having a stud (80) attached thereto, the stud extending through the shell opening (84). The stud includes a standoff (94) to define an intermediate passage (74) between the combustor shell (58) and the combustor panel (64). A retainer (92) is attached to the stud (80). A washer (90) surrounds the stud (80) and is positioned between the retainer (92) and the combustor shell (58). The washer (90) at least partially defines a cooling flow passage (96) configured to direct a cooling airflow (70) through the shell opening to impinge the cooling flow on at least one of the stud (80) or the standoff (94).