Radial Ferrule Combustor Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engines face issues with leakage around radial penetrations, which lead to non-uniform air distribution and combustion instabilities due to the large profile of hardware used to prevent leakage, causing inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A leakage control system comprising a penetration tube, flange, and ferrule positioned outside the flow path to limit leakage, accommodating thermal growth and reducing the profile of components within the flow path, thereby minimizing airflow blockage and ensuring uniform air distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hardware with large profile is used to prevent leakage around radial penetrations, then leakage control is improved, but airflow uniformity deteriorates due to wake generation and non-uniform air distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The leakage control system transitions from a two-dimensional planar seal to a three-dimensional radial configuration. The ferrule extends radially into the combustion chamber with a profile significantly smaller than traditional hardware, controlling leakage in the radial dimension while minimizing interference with the axial airflow path. This dimensional repositioning allows effective sealing without generating large wakes that disrupt air distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferrule is positioned locally at the penetration point where leakage occurs, rather than using extensive hardware spanning the entire flow path. The seal is applied precisely where needed - at the interface between the penetration tube and flow sleeve - with the ferrule extending only as far as necessary to control leakage. This localized approach minimizes the overall profile and reduces wake generation in the broader airflow field.
2Reliability
If traditional leakage control hardware is used, then leakage is limited, but device complexity increases and thermal growth accommodation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule serves multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the gap between the penetration tube and flow sleeve to control leakage, it accommodates thermal growth through its material properties and design, and it maintains structural integrity under combustion conditions. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall hardware complexity while maintaining effective leakage control.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferrule is designed with specific material parameters and geometric parameters that enable it to accommodate thermal growth. The material selection and dimensional parameters allow the ferrule to expand and contract with temperature changes while maintaining its sealing function. This parameter optimization allows a single component to handle both leakage control and thermal accommodation, simplifying the overall hardware design.
3Reliability
If larger profile hardware is used to prevent leakage, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but airflow blockage increases and pressure drops occur
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing action is moved from the axial dimension to the radial dimension. The ferrule extends radially to seal the leakage path at the penetration interface, rather than using axial-profile hardware that would block the main airflow path. This radial positioning achieves effective sealing while maintaining clear axial flow paths, minimizing airflow blockage and associated pressure drops.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a combustor with a radial penetration. The combustor may include a combustion chamber, a liner surrounding the combustion chamber, a flow sleeve surrounding the liner, a penetration tube extending through the liner and the flow sleeve with the radial penetration positioned within the penetration tube, a flange extending from the penetration tube about the flow sleeve, and a ferrule positioned about the flange and the radial penetration so as to limit leakage about the radial penetration.