Gas Turbine Heat Shield Threaded Collar Retainer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat shields in gas turbine engines have a limited useful life, making it difficult and potentially damaging to remove and replace them during maintenance, which complicates the maintenance procedure.
Innovation Solution
A heat shield assembly with a threaded collar extending upstream from the heat shield, positioned within a domeplate opening, and secured by a retainer and spacer, allowing for secure coupling and easy removal without damaging the domeplate, utilizing anti-rotation tabs and a locking pin for enhanced torque resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heat shield is securely attached to the domeplate, then the heat shield remains stable during engine operation, but the heat shield becomes difficult to remove for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield assembly is divided into separable components: the heat shield, threaded collar, retainer, and spacer. This segmentation allows the heat shield to be securely attached during operation yet easily removed for maintenance by simply unscrewing the retainer, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system transitions from a permanent fixed connection to a dynamic, reversible connection using threaded fasteners. The retainer can be tightened to provide secure attachment during operation or loosened to enable easy removal for maintenance, allowing the system to adapt between these two states.
2Ease of repair
If the heat shield is removed and reinstalled multiple times, then maintenance can be performed, but the domeplate may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded collar and retainer act as intermediary components between the heat shield and domeplate. These intermediaries absorb the mechanical stress of repeated installation and removal cycles, protecting the domeplate from damage while enabling easy heat shield replacement during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the attachment system into separate components (collar, retainer, spacer), the design allows the heat shield to be removed and reinstalled without applying damaging forces to the domeplate structure, preserving domeplate integrity across multiple maintenance cycles.
3Ease of repair
If a simple attachment method is used, then maintenance is easier, but the heat shield may not remain securely in place during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded retainer provides a dynamic attachment mechanism that can be easily loosened for maintenance yet tightened to provide secure retention during operation. This dynamic fastening system achieves both simplicity for maintenance and reliability for operational retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The design replaces complex mechanical retention systems with a simple threaded fastener system. The threaded collar and retainer provide reliable mechanical retention through thread engagement, achieving secure attachment with minimal complexity for easy maintenance.
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 solution provides a reliable and cost-effective method for maintaining the heat shield in place during engine operation while allowing for non-destructive removal and replacement, enhancing maintenance efficiency and preventing damage to the domeplate.
Implementation Method 1
The heat shields are cooled by impinging air on the side nearest the dome to ensure that the operating temperature of the heat shields remains within predetermined limits.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for fabricating a gas turbine engine combustor that includes a domeplate and at least one fuel injector extending through an opening in the domeplate. The method includes fabricating a heatshield that includes a threaded collar extending upstream from the heatshield, positioning the heatshield on a downstream side of the domeplate such that the threaded collar is received within the domeplate opening, and coupling a retainer to the collar on an upstream side of the domeplate such that the domeplate is securely coupled between the heat shield and the retainer.