Coolable Wall Element Impingement Plate Snap-Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing impingement coolable wall elements in gas turbines face challenges in achieving extended lifetime and easy assembly/disassembly without the need for welding or brazing, which introduces thermal stress and increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A snap-lock mechanism using a bendable retention tab on the impingement plate that fits into a corresponding seat on the base body, allowing for secure attachment and easy removal, eliminating the need for welding or brazing and reducing thermal stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If impingement plates are welded or brazed directly to the base body, then the attachment is strong and secure, but thermal stress is generated and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The impingement plate is divided into a plate body and a separate retention tab that extends from the plate body. The retention tab is inserted into a groove in the base body and secured by a retention element, separating the attachment function from the plate body itself. This segmentation allows the plate to be securely attached without welding or brazing the entire assembly, eliminating thermal stress while maintaining attachment strength.
2Strength
If impingement plates are welded or brazed to the base body, then the attachment is permanent and strong, but assembly and disassembly become difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The retention tab is designed to be movable within the groove of the base body. During assembly, the retention tab can be inserted into the groove and then secured by a retention element. During disassembly, the retention element can be removed and the retention tab can be pulled out of the groove. This dynamic design allows the impingement plate to be securely attached during operation but easily removed for repair or replacement, eliminating the need for welding or brazing operations.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If folded edges are used to clamp the impingement plate into grooves, then the attachment is secure without welding, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of folding the edges of the impingement plate to create a clamping mechanism, the invention inverts the approach by providing a retention tab that extends from the plate body and is inserted into a groove in the base body. The retention element secures the tab in the groove, providing a secure attachment without requiring folded edges. This inversion simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces cost while eliminating thermal stress from welding or brazing operations.
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 solution extends the lifetime of the coolable wall element by avoiding thermal stress, simplifying assembly and disassembly, reducing manufacturing and repair costs, and enabling easy inspection and cleaning, while maintaining accurate dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
Both methods have the same idea, that for inserting or removing the impingement plate into or from its final assembling position onto the base body the retention tab as monolithic part of the impingement plate has to be elastically bent for passing the blocking element
Data Source
AI summary
A coolable wall element for a gas turbine, having a base body with a first surface subjectable to a hot gas, second surface arranged opposite of the first surface, and first seat for housing edges of an impingement plate. The wall element has an impingement plate partly inserted into the first seat located at a distance and adjacent to the second surface. A coolable wall element with extended life time is provided with the impingement plate which is removably attached to the base body having a snap-in connection with a bendable retention tab extending from the rest of the impingement plate to a free end of the retention tab, wherein the base body has a second seat for the free end of said tab, the second seat blocks the moving of the impingement plate relative to the main body when the bendable retention tab is released.