Combustor Igniter Port Alignment Verification Tool

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combustion turbine engines face issues with mechanical binding and alignment problems during igniter insertion due to deviations in internal circumferential dimensions and coaxial alignment of combustor igniter ports, leading to costly removal and remediation of combustors after installation.

Innovation Solution

A verification tool with concentrically nested outer and inner sleeves, capable of sliding into the igniter port's guide tube and igniter boss, along with an optional protractor for measuring port angle, validates the alignment and dimensions before combustor installation, ensuring conformance to specifications and preventing mechanical binding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If combustor assembly and installation processes are simplified, then productivity increases, but manufacturing precision deteriorates leading to alignment deviations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustor assembly and installation efficiencyVSAvoidigniter port coaxial alignment and dimensional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The verification tool is used to check igniter port alignment and dimensions before combustor installation into the engine. This preliminary verification allows alignment deviations to be detected and corrected during combustor assembly, before the combustor is installed in the engine, preventing fit issues and mechanical binding problems that would require costly removal and remediation later

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If verification and validation processes are added, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveigniter port alignment verificationVSAvoidverification tool structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The verification tool employs nested outer and inner sleeves that are concentrically aligned. The inner sleeve fits within the outer sleeve, creating a compact integrated structure. This nested design allows the tool to verify both the guide tube and igniter boss alignment simultaneously while maintaining a simple, manageable form factor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The verification tool serves multiple functions: the outer sleeve verifies guide tube alignment and dimensions, the inner sleeve verifies igniter boss alignment and dimensions, and together they verify coaxial alignment between the two components. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single integrated tool design, avoiding the need for multiple separate verification devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If alignment verification is performed before installation, then reliability improves by preventing fit issues, but loss of time occurs during verification process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveigniter insertion reliabilityVSAvoidverification and validation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The verification tool checks igniter port alignment and dimensions before combustor installation, allowing alignment deviations to be detected and corrected during combustor assembly. This prevents fit issues and mechanical binding problems that would require costly removal and remediation after engine assembly, ultimately saving time despite the initial verification step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The verification process is segmented into distinct functional components: the outer sleeve verifies guide tube alignment, the inner sleeve verifies igniter boss alignment, and their nested arrangement verifies coaxial alignment between components. This segmentation allows for targeted verification of specific alignment issues, making the process more efficient than comprehensive re-verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9651261B2Combustion turbine engine combustor basket igniter port alignment verification tool and method for validating igniter alignment

Publication Date: 2017.05.16 SIEMENS ENERGY INC

AI summary

A combustion turbine engine combustor igniter port alignment and dimensional verification tool is insertable in guide tube and igniter boss portions of the igniter port. The tool has concentrically nested outer and inner sleeves, having respective circumferential profiles that are separately slidably insertable within corresponding igniter port guide tube and igniter boss portions that have inner circumferential profiles in conformance with minimal dimension specifications. Concentric alignment of the guide tube and igniter boss is validated by inserting the nested outer and inner sleeves into the igniter port. The verification tool is capable of validating igniter port alignment and dimensions before the combustor is installed in a combustion turbine engine.