Heat Shield Element Cooling Channels for Gas Turbine Combustion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat shield elements for combustion chambers in gas turbines face challenges in efficiently cooling the edge regions with minimal cooling air consumption, as existing designs either require excessive cooling air or are costly and complex to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of cooling channels within the heat shield element that extend from the fastening device to the edge, with strategically placed cooling air inlets and outlets, including external and internal outlets, to enhance cooling efficiency and reduce thermal stress, while using selective laser melting for manufacturing to simplify and precision-engineer the component.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cooling channels are extended to the edge region, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidcooling channel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling channels distributed across the heat shield element. Each channel operates independently to cool specific regions, allowing the edge region to receive dedicated cooling without requiring a completely different cooling system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the heat shield element are provided with different cooling configurations. The edge region receives cooling channels extending to it, while the central region uses conventional cooling approaches. This localized adaptation provides targeted cooling where needed without unnecessarily complicating the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by moving object

If cooling air consumption is reduced, then energy efficiency is improved, but cooling effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling air consumptionVSAvoidcooling effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Cooling air is directed preferentially to regions where it is most needed, such as the edge region and areas with highest thermal loads. The cooling channels are configured to deliver cooling air to specific locations rather than distributing it uniformly, improving cooling effectiveness while reducing overall air consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling channels provide continuous cooling along their entire length, from the inlet through the wall thickness to the edge region. This continuous cooling path ensures that heat is removed efficiently throughout the component without requiring excessive cooling air, as the cooling action is sustained throughout the thermal path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional casting processes are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but manufacturing precision and quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidheat shield element quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The conventional mechanical casting process is replaced with additive manufacturing (selective laser melting). This substitution enables precise control over the cooling channel geometry and heat shield element dimensions, achieving high manufacturing precision while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity through digital modeling and automated fabrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 achieves improved cooling of the heat shield element with reduced cooling air consumption, maintaining a constant temperature on the hot side and preventing hot gas ingress, thereby reducing thermal stress on components and nitrogen oxide emissions.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of cooling channels (9) are provided in the heat shield element, which extend from the fastening device (8) to the edge (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the cooling air exits into the gap between adjacent heat shield elements... advantageously blocks the gap against ingress hot gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBoundary layer: Boundary Layer

Data Source

PatentEP3183497B1Heat shield element and method for the production thereof
Publication Date: 2018.07.18 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3183497B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3183497B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3183497B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a heat shield element (1) comprising a wall (2) having a hot side (3) and an opposing cold side (4), a peripheral edge (5) having an inner side (6) and an outer side (7), and a securing device (8) arranged substantially in the middle of the cold side (4) of the wall (2), said securing device extending substantially perpendicularly away from the wall (2), wherein cooling channels (9) are arranged in the securing device (8), wall (2) and edge (5), extending over at least two of the three. The invention also relates to a combustion chamber (20) and a gas turbine plant (24). The invention further relates to a method for producing a heat shield element (1) of this type.