One-Piece Compressor Shroud for Gas Turbine Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas turbine engines face weight and complexity issues due to separate containment systems for compressor impellers and turbine wheels, which also compromise the performance of other engine components and contain the weakest link in the containment system.
Innovation Solution
A single, extended compressor shroud axially surrounds both the compressor impeller and turbine wheel, eliminating separate containment systems and flange connections, allowing for lighter, more efficient design and improved reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate containment systems are used for compressor impeller and turbine wheel, then containment reliability is improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate containment systems for the compressor impeller and turbine wheel into a single integrated containment structure. This unified containment system encompasses both rotating components, reducing the number of separate containment devices while maintaining the containment function for both impeller and turbine, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving containment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it contains the compressor impeller, contains the turbine wheel, and provides structural support for the engine housing. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate containment systems for each rotating component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive containment capability.
2Reliability
If separate containment systems are used for compressor impeller and turbine wheel, then containment function is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate containment structures into a single integrated containment system that houses both the compressor impeller and turbine wheel. This consolidation eliminates redundant containment components and reduces the total weight of the containment system while maintaining the essential containment function for both rotating parts.
3Ease of operation
If flange connections are used in containment system, then assembly ease is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to weakest link
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the containment structure as a unified piece rather than assembling separate sections with flange connections. This eliminates the flange connections that create weak links in the containment system, thereby improving overall system reliability while the integrated design can still be installed as a single unit, maintaining ease of assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor shroud for containing fragments of a compressor impeller and a turbine wheel within a gas turbine engine. The compressor shroud includes a compressor containment section, a turbine containment section, and a containment continuity section. The containment continuity section connects the compressor containment section and the turbine containment section to form a one-piece part.