Gas Turbine Igniter Adaptor Assembly for Thermal Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine components, such as igniters, are difficult to install and remove due to high temperatures and the need for precise alignment, which complicates maintenance and replacement within the engine's harsh environment.
Innovation Solution
An adaptor assembly comprising a housing, guide sleeve, spring, and retainer, where the spring biases the guide sleeve against the ferrule seal to secure the igniter, allowing for easy installation and removal while maintaining a seal and protecting components from debris and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If components are installed directly in the high-temperature engine environment, then the engine can operate, but the components are exposed to thermal damage and corrosion, reducing their service life
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the engine system into a permanent housing portion and a removable component portion. The removable component can be easily detached and replaced without disassembling the entire engine, allowing quick maintenance and replacement of heat-exposed parts while preserving the permanent housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor assembly acts as an intermediary between the engine housing and the removable component (such as an igniter). It provides a protected interface that allows the removable component to be installed and removed easily while maintaining sealing and alignment, reducing direct exposure to harsh environmental factors.
2Ease of operation
If precise alignment mechanisms are added to facilitate component installation, then installation becomes easier, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor assembly is pre-assembled with the removable component outside the engine before installation. This preliminary assembly ensures proper alignment and configuration are established beforehand, simplifying the actual installation process into a single straightforward insertion operation rather than requiring complex alignment procedures during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide sleeve is nested within the adaptor housing, and the removable component is inserted through the guide sleeve. This nested structure provides automatic alignment and guidance during installation without requiring additional external alignment mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while ensuring precise positioning.
3Loss of time
If removable components are designed for easy removal, then maintenance time is reduced, but the sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer mechanism provides dynamic sealing - it maintains a secure, sealed connection during engine operation but allows for quick release and removal when needed. The spring-loaded or cam-actuated retainer can be easily actuated to release the component while maintaining reliable sealing under normal operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal interface is designed to maintain uniform contact pressure around the entire circumference of the removable component connection. This equipotential sealing approach ensures consistent sealing reliability all around the connection point, preventing leakage while allowing for easy uniform release when the retainer is actuated.
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
Facilitates efficient and reliable installation and removal of removable components like igniters in gas turbine engines, extending their service life by keeping components cooler and protected from environmental damage, and allowing for maintenance without disassembly of the engine.
Implementation Method 1
A spring may be at least partially housed within the guide sleeve and may extend through the guide sleeve second end. The spring may be disposed to bias the guide sleeve against the retainer.
Implementation Method 2
The spring may be disposed to bias the guide sleeve against the retainer
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly is provided with a housing, a guide sleeve, and a spring. The guide sleeve may be at least partially housed within the housing. The spring may be disposed to abut against the housing and the guide sleeve.