Gas Turbine End Cap Cooling via Impingement Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine end cap assemblies face challenges in effectively cooling surfaces exposed to high combustion temperatures, leading to potential overheating and thermal mechanical fatigue.
Innovation Solution
The end cap assembly incorporates an effusion plate with cooling holes and premix tube holes, paired with an impingement plate having additional cooling holes and premix tube holes, along with a cylindrical sleeve and support structures, to direct cooling fluid efficiently onto the effusion plate, enhancing cooling fluid distribution and penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling methods are used on the end cap assembly, then the structure remains simple, but the cooling effectiveness is insufficient leading to overheating and thermal mechanical fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple functional components: an impingement plate with first cooling holes for direct jet impingement, an effusion plate with second cooling holes for distributed cooling, and associated manifolds. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific cooling function, achieving superior temperature control while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the end cap assembly receive customized cooling approaches: the impingement plate provides concentrated cooling jets to high-heat-flux areas, while the effusion plate provides distributed cooling to other regions. This local quality approach ensures optimal cooling effectiveness in each zone without uniformly complicating the entire structure
2Reliability
If cooling fluid is directed through multiple plates and holes, then cooling effectiveness improves, but fluid flow distribution becomes more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The impingement plate acts as an intermediary component between the cooling fluid supply and the effusion plate. It receives cooling fluid through manifolds and distributes it through first cooling holes as controlled jets onto the effusion plate, which then distributes fluid through second cooling holes. This intermediary structure enables precise control of fluid flow paths and distribution patterns, ensuring reliable cooling while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system performs preliminary cooling action by directing impingement jets through the impingement plate before the fluid reaches the effusion plate. This preliminary action removes the most intense heat at the source, reducing the thermal load on subsequent cooling stages and improving overall cooling reliability while simplifying the control of fluid distribution
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 significantly improves cooling efficiency, reducing the risk of overheating and thermal mechanical fatigue by targeting specific regions with directed cooling fluid jets, ensuring effective heat management and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
A supply of cooling fluid, such as air, can be directed through the second plurality of cooling holes in the impingement plate and onto a backside of the effusion plate. The cooling fluid then passes through the first plurality of cooling holes in the effusion plate.
Implementation Method 2
The second plurality of cooling holes are positioned about the impingement plate so as to direct the supply of cooling fluid towards specific regions of the effusion plate
Data Source
AI summary
A combustor end cap assembly having an improved cooling configuration is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention are directed towards an apparatus and method for cooling an effusion plate of the combustor end cap assembly. The combustor end cap assembly also incorporates an impingement plate having a plurality of cooling holes with the impingement plate positioned a predetermined distance from the effusion plate. The cooling fluid passes through the impingement plate and is directed towards and onto the effusion plate for cooling of the effusion plate.