Generator Fan Peripheral Sealing Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
In generators, the mixing of hot and cold cooling gases due to inadequate sealing in the peripheral area of the fan degrades cooling performance, leading to inefficient heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A sealing structure is implemented, featuring a ring-shaped fan body with annulus grooves and sealing devices like labyrinth or herringbone seals, which prevent hot cooling gas from mixing with cold gas by creating a clearance and using protrusions to direct airflow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fan peripheral area is left without sealing structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but hot and cold cooling gases mix leading to degraded cooling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a labyrinth seal consisting of a seal member with multiple protrusions that create a winding flow path, effectively separating hot and cold cooling gases without requiring solid contact or complex mechanical structures. This flexible sealing approach maintains cooling performance while avoiding overly complex sealing mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a sealing structure with protrusions is added to the fan peripheral area, then the mixing of hot and cold cooling gases is suppressed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member acts as an intermediary element positioned between the hot and cold cooling gas flows. Its protrusions create a labyrinthine path that mediates the separation of the two gas streams, preventing direct mixing while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that integrates with the existing fan and stator components.
3Reliability
If the sealing structure is positioned close to the fan body, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the clearance requirements become more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is segmented into multiple protrusions arranged circumferentially, creating multiple sealing zones around the fan periphery. This segmentation allows the sealing function to be distributed across several points, reducing the criticality of any single clearance dimension while maintaining overall sealing effectiveness through the cumulative effect of multiple barriers.
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 sealing structure effectively suppresses the mixing of hot and cold cooling gases, maintaining optimal cooling performance by preventing temperature rise and ensuring efficient heat dissipation within the generator.
Implementation Method 1
an inlet-side end of the first member is inserted into the groove with a clearance, and a sealing device is provided on the inlet-side end of the first member
Implementation Method 2
sealing devices like labyrinth or herringbone seals, which prevent hot cooling gas from mixing with cold gas by creating a clearance and using protrusions to direct airflow effectively
Implementation Method 3
using protrusions to direct airflow effectively
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sealing structure for sealing a peripheral area of a fan of a generator. The sealing structure includes a rotor, a fan assembly including a ring-shaped fan body coupled to an axial end of the rotor, multiple fan blades radially arranged along a circumferential surface of the fan body, and an annulus groove recessed, in an axial direction of the rotor, from an axial outer end surface of the fan body, a stator surrounding the rotor with an air gap provided between the stator and the rotor, a cooler positioned a predetermined distance apart from the stator, and a cooling gas duct including an outlet connected with the cooler and an inlet configured to cover the axial outer end surface of the fan body and an axial end of the air gap between the stator and the rotor, wherein an inlet-side end of the cooling gas duct includes a first member and a second member that are coaxially arranged and are positioned close to the axial outer end surface of the fan body and the axial end of the air gap, respectively, and an inlet-side end of the first member is inserted into the groove with a clearance, and a sealing device is provided on the inlet-side end of the first member.