Gas Turbine Combustor Tile Holder with Acoustic Damper Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coupling acoustic dampers to gas turbine combustors is challenging due to the need for modifying thermoinsulating tiles with access holes or drilling, which increases costs and risks mechanical resistance, and existing tile holders limit space and positioning for acoustic dampers.

Innovation Solution

A tile holder with a tubular body and retaining system that secures the tubular body in a seat through a wall, allowing for easy acoustic coupling of acoustic dampers without modifying tiles, featuring a radially projecting retaining member and threaded connection for easy assembly and disassembly, and a modular design with a securing mechanism for independent neck attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If tiles are modified with access holes or drilling to couple acoustic dampers, then acoustic coupling is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase and mechanical resistance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic coupling capabilityVSAvoidmechanical resistance of tiles
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate functional components: the tile remains intact while the acoustic damper is coupled to the tile holder, which is separately attached to the combustor shell. This segmentation allows the tile to maintain its structural integrity while the acoustic coupling function is achieved through the dedicated holder component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tile holder acts as an intermediary component between the tile and the acoustic damper. It provides the coupling interface for the acoustic damper without requiring modifications to the tile itself, thus preserving the tile's mechanical strength while enabling acoustic coupling functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional tile holders are used, then tile retention is achieved, but space and positioning flexibility for acoustic dampers is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetile retentionVSAvoidpositioning flexibility for acoustic dampers
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tile holder is designed to perform multiple functions: it retains the tile against the combustor shell while simultaneously providing an acoustic coupling interface for the acoustic damper. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and enables flexible positioning of acoustic dampers without compromising tile retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If tiles are modified to accommodate acoustic dampers, then acoustic coupling is enabled, but additional manufacturing costs are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic coupling capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the acoustic coupling function from the tile modification process. The tile holder and acoustic damper are manufactured as separate components that couple together, eliminating the need for expensive tile modifications such as drilling or special refractory tile fabrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tile holder serves as an intermediary that enables acoustic coupling without requiring tile modifications. This approach uses standard, off-the-shelf components rather than custom-modified tiles, significantly reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3410014B1Tile holder for a combustor of a gas turbine
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 ANSALDO ENERGIA SPA
  • EP3410014B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3410014B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3410014B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A tile holder for a combustor of a gas turbine, includes: a connector (11) having a tubular body (15) extending along a first axis (X1) and a retaining system (17), configured to secure the tubular body (15) in a seat (18) through a wall (3) and to retain a tile (7; 308) against the wall (3); an acoustic damper (12) having a damping volume (30) and a neck (31) at least in part extending along a second axis (X2); wherein the neck (31) is acoustically coupled to the outside through the tubular body (15) and the first axis (X1) is transverse to the second axis (X2).