Spoke-Centered Seal Carrier for Turbomachine Guide Vane Thermal Compensation
Solution Overview
Problem
Turbomachines face efficiency losses due to thermally induced deformations in guide vane arrangements, leading to increased sealing gaps and leaks, which are exacerbated by the existing connections between guide vanes and inner ring segments, as well as the seal carrier and rotor.
Innovation Solution
A guide vane arrangement with adjustable guide vanes and a spoke-centered seal carrier mounted relative to the inner ring segments, allowing for independent adjustment of sealing gaps and decoupling from the rotor, thereby compensating for thermal changes without increasing gap widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the guide vanes are rigidly connected to the inner ring segments, then the structural stability is improved, but the sealing gap width increases due to thermal deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The inner ring is divided into multiple separable inner ring segments that can move independently relative to the guide vanes. This segmentation allows each segment to accommodate thermal expansion independently while maintaining overall structural stability and proper sealing gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the inner ring segments and guide vanes is made movable rather than rigid. The inner ring segments can dynamically adjust their position in response to thermal deformations, maintaining stable sealing gaps despite temperature changes.
2Measurement precision
If the seal carrier is rigidly mounted to the inner ring, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the sealing effect deteriorates due to thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The seal carrier is separated from the inner ring structure, allowing independent positioning and adjustment. This separation enables the seal carrier to maintain accurate positioning relative to the rotor while the inner ring segments accommodate thermal expansion independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide vanes serve as an intermediary element between the inner ring segments and the seal carrier. This intermediary connection allows the seal carrier to be positioned accurately while accommodating thermal deformations through the flexible guide vane mounting.
3Reliability
If tight tolerances are applied to maintain sealing gaps, then the sealing efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the inner ring into movable segments, the system can maintain adequate sealing gaps with relaxed tolerances. The segments naturally accommodate dimensional variations through their independent movement, eliminating the need for tight tolerance specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from a rigid fixed-gap design to a flexible adaptive-gap design. The sealing gap width becomes a dynamic parameter that automatically adjusts with thermal conditions, eliminating the need for precise fixed tolerance control.
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
This solution reduces the impact of thermal deformations on sealing gaps, simplifies tolerance management, and enhances the overall sealing efficiency of turbomachines by allowing independent adjustment of sealing gaps between guide vanes and the inner ring segments, and between the seal carrier and rotor.
Implementation Method 1
the guide vane arrangements are subjected to thermal stresses, in particular partially alternating and/or high temperature gradients... As a result of the thermal stress, undesirable, thermally induced deformations of parts of the guide vane arrangement can occur, in particular a change in length of the guide vanes and an expansion in the circumferential direction of the inner ring segments or an inner ring formed from them, as well as of the seal carrier.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a guide vane arrangement (100) for a turbomachine with a rotational axis, in particular for a compressor or turbine stage of a gas turbine, a guide vane (10) and a sealing carrier (20) for such a guide vane arrangement (100), and a turbomachine with such a guide vane arrangement (100), wherein the guide vane arrangement (100) comprises several adjustable guide vanes (10) rotatably mounted about an adjustment axis (V), at least one inner ring segment (30) formed separately from the guide vanes (10), and a sealing carrier (20) formed separately from the at least one inner ring segment (30), wherein the at least one inner ring segment (30) is attached to one or more guide vanes (10), and wherein the sealing carrier (20) is mounted spoke-centered relative to the at least one inner ring segment (30).so that the sealing carrier (20) is movably mounted relative to the at least one inner ring segment (30) in the direction of at least one adjustment axis (V) of at least one guide vane (10) and/or in the radial direction, with respect to the axis of rotation of the turbomachine in a functional operating state of the guide vane arrangement (100) in a turbomachine.