Frame Segment Cooling Duct for Turbine Interface Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas turbine transition piece and turbine interface designs face challenges with effective sealing and cooling, leading to leakage and inefficient use of cooling gas, which results in power losses, efficiency issues, and increased emissions due to uncontrolled cooling gas flows.

Innovation Solution

A frame segment with a picture frame receptacle and integrated cooling gas ducts, including effusion cooling holes and a heat shield, is designed to axially receive the transition piece, separating sealing from cooling requirements, thereby minimizing leakage and ensuring reliable cooling across all operating conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If sealed slots are used to allow movement between transition piece and support frame, then movement is enabled, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates and cooling gas leakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement capabilityVSAvoidcooling gas leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The support frame is divided into modular segments that can move independently relative to the transition piece, while each segment maintains its own sealing and cooling system. This segmentation allows movement to be decoupled from the sealing system, preventing leakage while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sealing medium is introduced as an intermediary element between the moving transition piece and support frame. This sealing medium fills the gap created by movement, maintaining effective sealing and preventing cooling gas leakage while allowing the necessary relative motion between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If cooling gas is used to cool the support frame, then cooling is achieved, but uncontrolled flows increase emissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidemissions

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling gas system incorporates feedback control mechanisms that monitor cooling gas flow and temperature conditions. This feedback control optimizes cooling gas usage, maintaining effective cooling while preventing uncontrolled flows that would increase emissions. The system adjusts cooling gas flow based on actual thermal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If transition piece and support frame are made of different materials, then material properties are optimized, but thermal growth mismatch increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial optimizationVSAvoidthermal growth compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the transition piece and support frame is designed to be dynamic rather than rigid. This dynamic connection accommodates the different thermal expansion rates of the various materials used, allowing each component to grow thermally at its own rate without creating excessive stress or misalignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If relative movement is allowed between components, then thermal growth is accommodated, but dynamic pulsations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal growth accommodationVSAvoiddynamic pulsations

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The design incorporates damping elements and cushioning features that are built into the connection structure between the transition piece and support frame. These elements are designed beforehand to absorb and dampen the dynamic pulsations that arise from relative movement, reducing the harmful effects of vibration and pulsation while still allowing necessary thermal growth accommodation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 design enhances sealing, reduces dynamic pulsations, increases the lifetime of components, and minimizes power and efficiency losses by optimizing cooling gas usage and reducing emissions.

Implementation Method 1

the vertical web comprises a cooling gas duct for cooling the vertical web. Typically it is also supplying cooling gas to the downstream face of the vertical web

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the downstream face of the vertical web is exposed to hot gases during operation of the gas turbine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEffusion: Effusion

Data Source

PatentUS10072515B2Frame segment for a combustor turbine interface

Publication Date: 2018.09.11 ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG

AI summary

The disclosure relates Frame segment for a transition piece-turbine interface having a picture frame receptacle for axially receiving an aft end of a combustor transition piece. The frame segment can include an I-beam with an upper horizontal element, a lower horizontal element, and a vertical web, wherein the upper horizontal element has mounting face for fixation to a vane carrier. The vertical web has a downstream face, facing towards a first stage of a turbine when installed in a gas turbine. The vertical web includes a cooling gas duct for supplying cooling gas to the downstream face of the vertical web.