Segmented Jacket Ring Assembly for Turbomachine Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jacket ring assemblies in turbomachines face challenges with thermal management and sealing efficiency, and the use of cast parts with integral suspension elements is costly, complex, and limited in extent, making them unsuitable for efficient thermal shielding and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A segmented ring assembly is introduced, where the jacket ring segment is radially inwardly supported by a form-fitting segmented ring that is assembled from individual segments, providing improved thermal shielding and sealing, and allowing for easier installation and removal, particularly during turbomachine overhauls, using a sheet-metal part with an abradable seal and optional additive manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a cast part with integral suspension element is used for the jacket ring segment, then the structural strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The jacket ring segment is divided into separate components: the jacket ring segment itself and a suspension element. These are manufactured separately (jacket ring segment as sheet-metal part, suspension element as separate component) and then assembled together, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining structural integrity through the assembled connection.
2Device complexity
If the jacket ring segment rests directly on a casing hook, then the assembly is simplified, but thermal shielding performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A segmented ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the jacket ring segment and the casing hook. This segmented ring provides improved thermal shielding performance and better sealing toward the gas duct, while the jacket ring segment remains supported in a simplified manner through this intermediate structure.
3Temperature
If a segmented ring assembly is used to support the jacket ring segment, then thermal management and sealing are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is implemented as a segmented ring composed of multiple individual segments that can be assembled separately and then joined together. This segmentation allows for improved thermal management and sealing performance while keeping the manufacturing and assembly process relatively simple through modular construction.
Data Source
AI summary
A jacket ring assembly for a turbomachine, the jacket ring assembly including a casing part, a jacket ring segment which is adapted to radially outwardly surround a rotor blade ring and to this end is disposed radially inwardly of the casing part, as considered with respect to a longitudinal axis of the turbomachine, and a segmented ring which is circumferentially divided into segments and by which the jacket ring segment is mounted to the casing part, the segmented ring being axially form-fittingly disposed on a form-fitting element of the casing part, for which purpose each of the respective segments of the segmented ring is radially outwardly assembled with the form-fitting element, and the segmented ring forming a supporting seat on which the jacket ring segment is seated and radially inwardly supported with an axially forward end.