Gas Turbine Inlet Ring Adapter Seal Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine transition duct and combustor assemblies face issues with thermal and vibrational stresses, leading to premature wear and potential failure of the spring clip seal, which results in costly repairs and tolerance variations.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an inlet ring adapter with a cylindrical sleeve and flange portion that forms a coupling with the spring clip assembly, providing a detachable and wear-resistant interface that reduces recirculation flow and allows for retrofitting with different spring clip seals, thereby extending the operational life of the seal and reducing maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring clip seal assembly is directly attached to the transition duct inlet ring, then the assembly is simple and cost-effective, but the seal suffers from thermal and vibrational stresses leading to premature wear and failure
Solution Approach 1:
An inlet ring adapter is introduced as an intermediary component between the transition duct inlet ring and the spring clip seal assembly. The adapter includes a cylindrical sleeve that extends into the transition duct and provides a dedicated engagement surface for the spring clip seal, isolating the seal from direct exposure to thermal and vibrational stresses in the transition duct while maintaining assembly simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system is segmented into distinct functional components: the transition duct inlet ring, the inlet ring adapter (with cylindrical sleeve), and the spring clip seal assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and enables replacement of the adapter or seal without replacing the entire assembly
2Reliability
If the spring clip seal is directly engaged with the transition duct inlet ring, then the connection is direct and rigid, but tolerance variations and wear lead to premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical sleeve of the inlet ring adapter serves as a precision intermediary interface that absorbs and compensates for tolerance variations between the transition duct inlet ring and the spring clip seal assembly. The adapter provides a stable, precisely machined engagement surface that maintains reliable seal contact despite manufacturing tolerances in the surrounding components
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter allows for adjustment and optimization of the engagement parameters between the spring clip seal and the transition duct system. By providing a dedicated engagement surface with controlled geometry, the adapter enables precise control over seal contact pressure, alignment, and engagement depth, improving reliability while accommodating standard manufacturing tolerances
3Ease of repair
If a standard spring clip seal assembly is used without an adapter, then the design is straightforward, but the seal cannot be easily replaced or upgraded
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into replaceable segments: the inlet ring adapter remains permanently installed on the transition duct inlet ring, while the spring clip seal assembly can be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation enables easy maintenance and upgrading of the seal component without affecting the adapter or transition duct
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet ring adapter with its cylindrical sleeve provides a universal engagement interface that can accommodate different spring clip seal designs and configurations. The standardized adapter interface enables flexibility in selecting seal types, materials, and dimensions, facilitating easy replacement and upgrading of the seal assembly while maintaining compatibility with the existing transition duct 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
The inlet ring adapter enhances the durability and adaptability of the spring clip seal by providing a precise and wear-resistant interface, reducing recirculation flow and enabling the use of smaller diameter spring clip seals, thus extending the operational life and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
A spring clip assembly is mounted to the terminal end of the combustor basket and is resiliently biased into engagement with an inwardly facing surface of the inlet ring adapter
Data Source
AI summary
A combustion system for a gas turbine engine including a combustor assembly comprising a combustor basket having a downstream terminal end, and a transition duct extending downstream from the combustor basket and having an upstream end located adjacent to the downstream terminal end of the combustor basket. A coupling is provided comprising an inlet ring adapter including a cylindrical sleeve extending downstream of the upstream end of the transition duct in overlapping relation to an inner surface of the transition duct. A spring clip assembly is mounted to the terminal end of the combustor basket. The spring clip assembly extends into engagement with and forms a seal on the cylindrical sleeve.