Gas Turbine Guide Vane Ring Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vane ring designs for turbomachines face challenges such as limited engine size due to minimum space requirements for axial connecting elements, elastic deformation issues, vibration problems, and potential leakage paths, which affect compressor efficiency and assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
A vane ring design featuring an inner ring composed of two half-rings that can be pushed onto bearing bodies in the circumferential direction, with each guide vane mounted in a single bearing body, eliminating the need for precise positioning and segmentation, and utilizing a multifunctional inner ring as both a seal carrier and bearing body connector, minimizing leakage and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If axial connection elements such as pins or screws are used to assemble half-ring segments, then the guide vanes can be assembled in the axial direction, but a minimum space between bearing bushes is required which limits engine size
Solution Approach 1:
The inner ring is divided into two half-rings that can be assembled separately and then joined together. This segmentation allows the assembly to be done in stages without requiring large clearance spaces, as the connection elements are positioned radially rather than axially, thereby reducing the minimum engine size requirement while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection approach is changed from axial connection (between half-ring segments) to radial connection (between bearing bushes and the inner ring). By moving the connection direction to the radial dimension, the patent eliminates the need for large axial clearance spaces, thus reducing engine size while preserving assembly feasibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If the inner ring is divided into front and rear half-ring segments along an axial parting plane, then assembly is simplified, but potential leakage paths are created at the abutting surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent acknowledges the potential leakage issue at half-ring abutting surfaces but converts this potential harm into a benefit by implementing a sealing mechanism. The sealing groove and sealing element are specifically designed to accommodate and seal the interface between half-rings, transforming the leakage risk into a controlled sealing solution that maintains both assembly simplicity and leak-free operation.
3Reliability
If a separate seal carrier with run-in coatings is added to seal the radial gap, then sealing is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the seal carrier function with the inner ring structure itself. The inner ring is designed with an integrated sealing groove and run-in coating directly on its circumference, eliminating the need for a separate seal carrier component. This integration maintains reliable sealing performance while significantly reducing device complexity by combining multiple functions into a single structural element.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner ring is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the bearing bushes, acts as the mounting surface for guide vanes, and incorporates the sealing function through integrated run-in coatings and sealing grooves. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate seal carriers, reducing component count while maintaining sealing reliability.
4Manufacturing precision
If bearing bores are precisely positioned on the inner ring for receiving bearing journals, then guide vanes are properly mounted, but manufacturing complexity and positioning requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning bearing bores precisely on the inner ring and then fitting bearing journals into them, the patent inverts the approach: bearing bushes with pre-positioned bearing journals are first assembled onto the inner ring, and then the inner ring is secured to the housing. This inversion simplifies manufacturing by allowing bearing bushes to be pre-assembled and positioned separately, reducing the precision requirements for the inner ring itself.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The guide vane ring (1) has several rotatable guide vanes (2) with an inner ring (4) for radial inner stabilization of the guide vanes. A seal (44) of the guide vane is adapted to seal the radial clearance formed between inner ring and an opposite rotor portion. The bearing element (6) is adapted to support the guide vanes in the inner ring. Each guide vane is supported in the bearing element. The inner ring is provided with two half rings which are pushed in circumferential direction onto the bearing element. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) method for assembling a guide vane ring; and (2) turbomachine.