Gas Turbine Outlet Guide Vane Thermal Expansion Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in maintaining small radial clearances between compressor vanes and inner annuli due to larger radial temperature gradients and thermal deflections, which affect efficiency and stability, especially at compressor rear stages.
Innovation Solution
The outlet guide vane assembly uses a form fit connection interface between the inner shroud and outlet guide vane, featuring a protrusion and recess design that allows for axial and radial positioning, enabling thermal expansion compensation while minimizing wear and requiring no special assembly tools or techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the radial clearance between compressor vanes and inner annuli is reduced to improve efficiency and stability, then compressor efficiency and stability are improved, but thermal deflection and temperature gradients cause the clearance to increase under thermal loading
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet guide vane assembly is designed as a modular structure with multiple segments that can independently expand and contract in response to thermal loading. This dynamic configuration allows the assembly to accommodate thermal deflections while maintaining optimal radial clearances between compressor vanes and inner annuli, resolving the contradiction between achieving small clearances for efficiency and maintaining clearance stability under thermal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs materials and design features that allow thermal expansion parameters to be controlled and managed. By designing the outlet guide vane assembly with specific thermal expansion characteristics, the system can tolerate temperature gradients and thermal deflections without compromising the radial clearance requirements, thus maintaining both efficiency and reliability under varying thermal conditions.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional assembly methods are used for the outlet guide vane assembly, then assembly is simpler, but special assembly tools and techniques are required which increase cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet guide vane assembly is divided into multiple separable segments with standardized connection interfaces. This segmentation allows each segment to be assembled using conventional tools and techniques without requiring special assembly equipment, while the modular design maintains the structural integrity and performance requirements of the complete assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection interfaces between assembly segments are designed with universal features that can be assembled using standard tools. The standardized connection mechanism serves multiple functions including mechanical attachment, alignment, and sealing, eliminating the need for specialized assembly tools and techniques while maintaining assembly simplicity.
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
This solution ensures a stable and efficient assembly with reduced wear and longer product life by allowing for thermal expansion compensation and eliminating the need for expensive assembly methods, thus enhancing the operational stability and efficiency of gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
The first component and the second component are assembled together in a modular manner using a form fit connection interface between the inner shroud and the outlet guide vane
Data Source
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AI summary
An outlet guide vane assembly in a gas turbine engine is presented. The outlet guide vane assembly includes an inner shroud and an outlet guide vane having an inner platform. The inner shroud has a flange arranged at aft side that is bolted to a flange of the inner platform arranged at forward side. The inner shroud flange has a protrusion that engages a recess of the inner platform flange forming a form fit connection interface between the inner shroud and the outlet guide vane. The inner platform has shiplaps arranged at two circumferential sides that overlap shiplaps of an adjacent inner platform forming a form fit connection interface between adjacent outlet guide vanes. The outlet guide vane assembly includes a plurality of segments circumferentially arranged. Each segment includes a plurality of outlet guide vanes assembled to an inner shroud.