Segmented Combustor Heat Shield for Gas Turbine Dome Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine combustor heat shield cooling schemes are difficult to assemble, which hampers cost-effective improvements in cooling and protection.
Innovation Solution
An annular heat shield configuration using sheet metal segments with circumferentially spaced openings for fuel nozzles, fixedly securing radially extending flanges of inner and outer liners to form a dome portion, with studs and lips for interlocking and air cooling, allowing for easier assembly and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional heat shield cooling schemes are used, then cooling protection is provided, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield is divided into multiple segments that can be assembled separately and then joined together to form the complete annular structure. This segmentation allows for easier handling, installation, and maintenance while maintaining the cooling protection function through integrated cooling channels across the segments.
2Reliability
If heat shields are added to protect the combustor, then protection performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield structure is merged with the combustor liner assembly, where the heat shield segments are positioned between the inner and outer liners and secured to form an integrated dome structure. This merging approach provides protection performance while reducing overall structural complexity by combining multiple functions into a unified assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat shield serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the combustor dome from thermal damage, provides cooling channels for thermal management, and structurally secures the inner and outer liners together to form the dome portion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If sheet metal segments with openings are used, then ease of manufacture improves, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield segments feature localized openings positioned strategically to accommodate fuel nozzles while maintaining structural integrity in other areas. The sheet metal segments are designed with appropriate thickness and reinforcement at critical locations to ensure strength is not compromised by the presence of openings, while still allowing easy manufacturing through standard sheet metal fabrication processes.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective, easily assembled, and flexible heat shield configuration that effectively protects the combustor dome while allowing for efficient air cooling, enhancing the overall performance and durability of the gas turbine engine.
Implementation Method 1
the annular heat shield being axially spaced apart from the dome portion to define an air space therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A heat shield for a gas turbine engine having a combustor includes an annular configuration extending substantially 360 degrees about the combustor for protecting a dome portion thereof, which is formed by radially extending flanges of inner and outer liners of the combustor. The heat shield fixedly secures the radially extending flanges of the inner and outer liners together in a sealing relationship such as to structurally form the dome portion of the combustor. The heat shield is disposed internally within the combustor and substantially entirely overlying the dome portion. The heat shield includes at least two separate heat shield segments cooperating to provide the annular heat shield, each heat shield segment being sheet metal and including at least two circumferentially spaced apart openings therein for receiving fuel nozzles therethrough. Each of the heat shield segments has a circumferential span not exceeding 180 degrees.