Elastic Support for Gas Turbine Combustor Liner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas turbines face challenges in stably supporting the junction between the liner and transition piece due to thermal expansion, leading to potential damage and reduced lifetime of elastic members from friction and repeated thermal cycles.

Innovation Solution

The combustor design incorporates a first elastic support with a leaf spring configuration and an auxiliary elastic support with different spring constants, along with a guide member, to elastically deform and stabilize the transition piece, preventing friction and ensuring stable support during thermal expansion and contraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid support structure is used to firmly connect the liner and transition piece, then structural stability is improved, but thermal expansion stress accumulates causing damage to the junction and reduced component lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcomponent lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure transitions from a rigid connection to an elastic connection that can dynamically adjust its stiffness parameter. The elastic support members (such as spring elements or elastomeric materials) allow the system to change its mechanical properties in response to thermal conditions, absorbing expansion stresses while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention explicitly accounts for thermal expansion by incorporating elastic support members that can accommodate the dimensional changes of the liner and transition piece during thermal cycles. The elastic elements are designed with appropriate pre-compression or clearance to handle the expected expansion range without causing stress concentration or damage to the connected components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

2Stress or pressure

If elastic support members are used to accommodate thermal expansion, then thermal stress is reduced, but friction and repeated thermal cycling cause damage and reduce the lifetime of the elastic members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal stressVSAvoidelastic member lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic support members are designed as replaceable, cost-effective components that can withstand a limited number of thermal cycles before requiring replacement. This approach prioritizes the protection of expensive components (liner, transition piece) over the elastic members themselves, which are easier and cheaper to replace.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic support members are pre-configured with appropriate compression or clearance to cushion against thermal expansion stresses before they can cause damage. This pre-cushioning design ensures that the elastic members absorb the initial thermal shocks and protect the junction from stress concentration during thermal cycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple elastic supports with different spring constants are used, then support stability across varying thermal conditions is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport stabilityVSAvoidsupport structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different elastic support members are positioned at specific locations around the junction with locally optimized spring constants. Supports experiencing higher thermal expansion forces are equipped with stiffer elements, while others use more compliant elements. This localized differentiation provides tailored support where needed without uniformly increasing complexity throughout the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration effectively stabilizes the liner and transition piece, reducing the risk of damage from thermal expansion and contraction, while maintaining efficient operation by minimizing friction and ensuring reliable support.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic arch having a first edge extending from the first bend of the fixed base, the elastic arch configured to elastically deform by a force applied from the transition piece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11614235B2Combustor and gas turbine including the same

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 DOOSAN ENERBILITY CO LTD

AI summary

A combustor includes a liner having an outlet end to pass combustion gas and a liner flange protruding outward from the outlet end; a transition piece to discharge combustion gas from the liner to a turbine, the transition piece having an inlet end for coupling to the outlet end of the liner and a transition piece flange protruding outward from the inlet end to face the liner flange; and a first elastic support installed on the liner flange to protrude toward the transition piece flange. A force applied from the transition piece elastically deforms an elastic arch of the first elastic support, which includes a movable support that is spaced apart from the liner flange if the force applied from the transition piece does not primarily deform the elastic arch. An auxiliary elastic support installed inside the first elastic support elastically deforms if the force secondarily deforms the elastic arch.