Gas Turbine Exhaust Collector Angular Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine exhaust collectors are not adaptable to various angular positions, leading to design constraints and increased mechanical stresses on the exhaust diffuser and turbine bearings due to vibration transmission, which complicates layout and transportation.
Innovation Solution
The exhaust collector features a plenum with paired connectors around the gas inlet aperture, allowing for selective angular positioning relative to the gas turbine, with the weight of the collector primarily supported by the base plate, reducing reaction forces on the diffuser and enabling flexible orientation and reduced module dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the exhaust collector is mounted on and supported by the diffuser, then the exhaust collector can be securely attached, but vibrations are transmitted to the diffuser and turbine bearings causing increased mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of vibration transmission is extracted and eliminated by removing the exhaust collector from the diffuser support structure. The connector is detached from the diffuser and reattached to the base plate, separating the exhaust collector's weight and vibrations from the diffuser and turbine bearing support path.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate serves as an intermediary structure that provides a new support path for the exhaust collector. By routing the support force through the base plate instead of the diffuser, the harmful vibration transmission is redirected away from sensitive components while maintaining secure attachment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the exhaust collector is designed for a specific orientation of the exhaust aperture, then it can be properly connected to the exhaust stack, but the design must be adapted each time to different orientations complicating layout and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust collector is made dynamically reconfigurable through rotatable connectors with multiple engagement positions. The connector can rotate to align with different exhaust aperture orientations (e.g., vertical, horizontal, angled) and lock into place, allowing a single design to adapt to various layouts without custom modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed with universal adaptability to accommodate multiple exhaust aperture orientations using the same base component. Multiple connection positions or rotational degrees of freedom enable a single exhaust collector design to serve multiple orientation requirements, eliminating the need for design adaptations.
3Device complexity
If the exhaust collector is positioned in a fixed angular position, then the structure is simple, but the overall module dimensions and footprint are increased complicating transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates rotational capability that allows the exhaust collector to be repositioned during transportation to a compact angular position. This dynamic repositioning reduces the overall module footprint and dimensions for transport, while the same connector maintains secure attachment in the operational angular position.
Data Source
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AI summary
An exhaust collector for gas turbines is described. The exhaust collector (126) comprises a plenum (141) with a gas inlet wall (135), a gas inlet aperture (139) provided in the gas inlet wall, and a gas discharge aperture (143 A). The exhaust collector further comprises a plurality of first connectors (151) arranged around the gas inlet aperture (139) and a plurality of second connectors (163), arranged around the gas inlet aperture (139). The second connectors are arranged generally opposite the first connectors. The first connectors and second connectors are paired. Pairs of one first connector and one second connector are selectively usable for mounting the exhaust collector (126) on an exhaust diffuser of a gas turbine in a selected one of a plurality of alternative angular positions.