Segment Ring Sealing Insert Layout for Radial Turbomachine Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing segment rings in turbomachines face challenges in sealing and assembly, particularly in reducing leakage and ensuring efficient assembly from the radial inside while maintaining tightness.
Innovation Solution
A segment ring design featuring radially open pockets to house sealing inserts, allowing for radial assembly and secure sealing by bridging gaps between segments, with pockets aligned for easy insertion and secured against displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing inserts are installed in closed pockets to reduce leakage, then sealing efficiency is improved, but assembly complexity increases due to difficulty in inserting from radial direction
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket is designed to be open in the radial direction rather than closed, allowing sealing inserts to be inserted from the radial direction. This dimensional change in the pocket configuration enables easier assembly while maintaining sealing effectiveness, as the open radial access provides a convenient pathway for insert installation without requiring complex assembly procedures.
2Ease of operation
If segments are assembled from radial inside to outside, then assembly ease is improved, but sealing effectiveness worsens due to difficulty in securing sealing inserts
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket is pre-configured with an open radial configuration that anticipates the need for sealing insert installation. This preliminary design of the pocket structure allows sealing inserts to be easily inserted and secured during the radial assembly process, ensuring both assembly ease and sealing effectiveness are achieved simultaneously through the pre-planned radial access pathway.
3Reliability
If pockets are closed radially to secure sealing inserts, then sealing tightness is improved, but assembly from radial direction becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket is designed with localized open radial configuration specifically at the region where sealing insert insertion is needed, while maintaining structural integrity elsewhere. This local quality approach allows radial assembly to proceed smoothly at the open pocket region while the overall pocket structure still provides adequate support and sealing capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a segment ring (25) for assembly in a turbomachine (1), which is circumferentially divided into segments (35, 36, 40) with respect to an annular axis of the segment ring (25), wherein the segment ring (25) is designed for assembly from the radial inside, i.e. the segments (35, 36, 40) can be assembled radially outwards to the segment ring (25), wherein at least two circumferentially adjacent segments (35, 36, 40) abut each other in a joint (45) at which a sealing insert (46) is provided, for this purpose each of the at least two circumferentially adjacent segments (35, 36, 40) has a pocket (50, 51) open towards the joint (45), i.e. two circumferentially facing pockets (50, 51) are provided at the joint (45), wherein the sealing insert (46) arranged in the two mutually facing pockets (50, 51) and held axially therein, extending circumferentially over the joint (45),and wherein one (50) of the two mutually facing pockets (50, 51) is additionally open in a radial direction such that this segment (35, 40) can be pushed radially onto the sealing insert (46).