Heat Exchanger Cable Restraint for Vibration Detuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine systems face vibration issues in heat exchangers due to oscillating exhaust gas flows, leading to potential resonance and mechanical damage, as existing solutions do not effectively adjust the natural frequency of heat exchangers to match the excitation load frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A restraint system comprising a cable and sleeve assembly with adjustable tensioners, including spring, turnbuckle, fluid-driven, electric-driven, and manual tensioners, to stiffen the heat exchangers and detune their natural frequencies away from excitation load frequencies, thereby reducing resonance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid restraints are used to support heat exchangers, then stability and support strength are improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible cables instead of rigid restraints to support the heat exchanger. The cables are tensioned to provide the necessary support force while being significantly lighter than rigid structural elements would be. This flexible cable system maintains sufficient support strength while reducing the weight of the restraint system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces a traditional rigid mechanical restraint system with a cable-based tensioning system. By using flexible cables with tensioners rather than rigid beams or frames, the system achieves the required support function with reduced weight and complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If cable tension is increased to stiffen the heat exchanger, then natural frequency increases and resonance is reduced, but the restraint system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable tensioners that allow the cable tension to be dynamically modified. This enables the natural frequency of the heat exchanger to be tuned by adjusting the tension, providing a simple mechanism to avoid resonance without requiring complex rigid structures with fixed natural frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the tension parameter of the cables to adjust the stiffness and natural frequency of the heat exchanger support system. By varying this single parameter through simple tensioners, the system can be tuned to avoid resonant frequencies without increasing overall device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tensioners are added to adjust stiffness, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the restraint system into multiple independent cable-tensioner units distributed at different locations on the heat exchanger. Each unit can be independently adjusted, providing localized stiffness control and overall adaptability while keeping each individual unit simple and modular.
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 system effectively reduces vibration and the risk of resonance in heat exchangers by adjusting their stiffness and natural frequencies, providing a flexible and lighter alternative to rigid restraints while maintaining effective support along the flow path.
Implementation Method 1
a first cable extending through the first sleeve... a first tensioner coupled to the first cable, wherein the first tensioner is configured to provide a first tension in the first cable
Implementation Method 2
a first bumper coupled to the first sleeve. The first bumper is configured to contact the heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A system (10) includes a restraint system (18) configured to support a heat exchanger (78) along a flow path within a duct (74). The restraint system (18) includes a first sleeve (86) configured to extend between opposite first and second walls (92, 94) of the duct (74), a first cable (84) extending through the first sleeve (86), and a first bumper (172) coupled to the first sleeve (86). The first bumper (172) is configured to contact the heat exchanger (78). The restraint system (18) includes a first tensioner (96, 98) coupled to the first cable (84), wherein the first tensioner (96, 98) is configured to provide a first tension in the first cable (84). The first tension is adjustable to detune the natural frequency of the heat exchanger (78) away from any excitation load frequencies caused by an exhaust gas flow (68) through the duct (74).