Eccentric Pipe Assembly for Turboengine Tolerance Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of turbo machines and aggregates is hindered by manufacturing and installation tolerances, leading to imprecise connections, which are further complicated by the need for flexible elements that are unsuitable for high-pressure applications, resulting in increased on-site work and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

The use of eccentric pipe pieces with adjustable rotation to compensate for tolerances between the turbo machine and aggregate, allowing for pre-assembly and precise connection without compromising tightness or suitability for high-pressure applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If flexible elements such as plastic buffers or corrugated pipe sections are used to compensate for tolerances, then ease of assembly is improved, but suitability for high-pressure applications and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidsuitability for high-pressure applications
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the pipe section by introducing an eccentric design where the inlet and outlet axes are offset from each other. This allows the rigid pipe to accommodate misalignments through rotational adjustment rather than requiring flexible materials, thus maintaining both ease of assembly and suitability for high-pressure applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If connecting lines are pre-assembled with high precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to installation tolerances deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepre-assembly precisionVSAvoidadaptability to installation tolerances
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic adjustment capability to the otherwise rigid pre-assembled connecting line. The eccentric pipe section can be rotated during installation to accommodate varying degrees of misalignment, transforming a static precision component into a dynamically adjustable one that adapts to installation tolerances while maintaining pre-assembly benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If on-site processing such as cutting metal pipes is performed, then adaptability to position deviations is improved, but safety risks and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to position deviationsVSAvoidon-site processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the tolerance compensation action in advance during the pre-assembly phase by designing the eccentric pipe section with built-in adjustment capability. This eliminates the need for on-site cutting and processing, as the eccentric design allows for positional adjustments to be made simply by rotating the pre-fabricated component into the correct alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4137679A1Method for assembling turboengines, turboengine arrangement and system for providing a turboengine arrangement
Publication Date: 2023.02.22 ATLAS COPCO ENERGAS GMBH
  • EP4137679A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4137679A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4137679A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for assembling a turbomachine assembly. At least one turbomachine (1) comprising a turbo stage (1a, 1b) and at least one power unit (2) is installed. Subsequently, the turbo stage (1a, 1b) is directly connected to the power unit (2) via a connecting line (8). According to the invention, an eccentric pipe section (11, 11', 11") is positioned and inserted in the connecting line (8).