Gas Turbine Joint Radiation Shield With Vented Thermal Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional insulation methods for gas fuel conveying components in gas turbine engines are risky due to the potential for explosion if gas fuel leaks become trapped, and they fail to effectively prevent radiative heat transfer.

Innovation Solution

A radiation shield assembly is designed to surround gas turbine piping connection joints, comprising at least two shield portions coupled at flanged joints, with inner and outer shells and insulation in between, to block radiation without risking explosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional insulation is used on gas fuel conveying components, then radiative heat transfer is reduced, but the risk of explosion increases due to trapped gas fuel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiative heat transferVSAvoidexplosion risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The radiation shield acts as an intermediary barrier between the hot gas fuel conveying components and surrounding components. It blocks radiative heat transfer while its open structure prevents gas fuel trapping, thus eliminating the explosion risk associated with traditional insulation while maintaining thermal protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The radiation shield uses a shell structure that is open and flexible rather than fully enclosed like traditional insulation. This allows the shield to block radiation while permitting gas flow through the structure, preventing gas accumulation and explosion hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Temperature

If traditional insulation is used on gas fuel conveying components, then thermal protection is provided, but gas fuel leaks cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal protectionVSAvoidgas fuel leak detection

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The open shell structure of the radiation shield allows gas fuel leaks to escape through the structure rather than being trapped. This maintains thermal protection while enabling leak detection systems to access and detect fuel leaks that would otherwise be hidden within traditional insulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The radiation shield serves as an intermediary that provides thermal protection without obstructing the path of leak detection. The open structure allows detection systems to monitor for gas fuel leaks while the shield maintains its thermal barrier function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If a radiation shield with insulation is designed, then radiative heat transfer is blocked, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiative heat transfer blockingVSAvoidshield structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radiation shield is divided into multiple segments or sections rather than being a single solid mass. This segmentation allows the shield to maintain thermal blocking capability while reducing overall material usage and simplifying installation and maintenance procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shield employs thin shell structures rather than thick solid insulation. This reduces the overall complexity and material requirements while maintaining effective radiative heat transfer blocking through the shell configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

The radiation shield assembly effectively prevents radiative heat transfer from gas fuel conveying components, protecting other components within the enclosure while maintaining a clearance for ventilation to prevent fuel trapping and explosions.

Implementation Method 1

which can result in damaging radiative heat transfer between the gas fuel conveying components and the other components within the enclosure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiative heat transfer: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

Each shield portion of the at least two shield portions includes an inner shell, an outer shell, insulation disposed between the inner shell and the outer shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS12305576B2Radiation shield for a gaseous fuel circuit

Publication Date: 2025.05.20 GE VERNOVA INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

A radiation shield assembly for blocking radiation at a gas turbine piping connection joint is provided. The radiation shield assembly includes a radiation shield configured to surround the gas turbine piping connection joint. The radiation shield includes at least two shield portions coupled to one another at a pair of flanged joints. Each shield portion of the at least two shield portions include an inner shell, an outer shell, and insulation disposed between the inner shell and the outer shell.