Segmented Carrier Ring for Gas Turbine Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing carrier ring assembly process for gas turbines is cumbersome, requiring axial pushing onto the rotor and limiting rotor blade dimensions, and maintenance involves removing the entire rotor for exchanging guide vanes and heat shields.
Innovation Solution
The carrier ring is segmented circumferentially and axially, allowing independent assembly and maintenance without axial pushing, with segmented side and main partial rings providing stability and efficient assembly, and allowing larger rotor blade diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the carrier ring is assembled by axial pushing onto the rotor, then the assembly process is simple in theory, but the axial length of rotor blading is limited and the free diameter of the carrier ring must be large enough
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier ring is divided into multiple circumferential segments that can be assembled independently around the rotor. This segmentation eliminates the need for axial pushing, allowing the rotor blading axial length to exceed the carrier ring's free diameter while still enabling complete assembly through radial/ circumferential joining of segments.
2Ease of repair
If the entire rotor is removed for maintenance of guide vanes and heat shields, then complete access is achieved, but the maintenance work becomes onerous and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier ring is segmented circumferentially, allowing individual segments or groups of segments to be removed and replaced independently while the rotor remains installed. This provides complete access to guide vanes and heat shields for maintenance without the need to remove the entire rotor, significantly reducing maintenance time and effort.
3Stability of the object's composition
If retaining elements are used to secure the carrier ring to the rotor, then the carrier ring is firmly fixed, but the assembly process becomes onerous requiring installation and subsequent removal of these elements
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented carrier ring design allows segments to be joined using simplified connecting mechanisms at the segment interfaces, eliminating the need for complex retaining elements that must be installed and removed. The segmentation enables direct joining of segments to the rotor or to each other through simpler means, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining secure fixation.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a carrier ring for a high-pressure gas turbine of a gas turbine plant, which has a high-pressure combustion chamber upstream of the high-pressure gas turbine, a compressor upstream of the high-pressure combustion chamber, a low-pressure combustion chamber downstream of the high-pressure gas turbine, a low-pressure gas turbine downstream of the low-pressure combustion chamber, and a rotor that carries rotor blades for the compressor, for the high-pressure gas turbine, and for the low-pressure gas turbine. The carrier ring carries guide blades and/or heat shields of the high-pressure gas turbine and can be fastened to the high-pressure combustion chamber. The installation of the carrier ring can be simplified by segmenting the carrier ring at least in the area of the guide blades thereof and/or of the heat shields thereof in the circumferential direction, wherein the segmented carrier ring has at least two ring segments that carry the guide blades and/or the heat shields.