Transition Duct Mounting With Composite Damping and Adjustable Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges with extreme vibrations and misalignment issues due to the complex geometry between the combustion system and turbine, leading to wear and distress on transition ducts and adjacent components, which traditional fixed mounting systems fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A damping member composed of composite material layers between sheet metal layers is used to absorb vibrations, and an adjustable mounting system with a support plate, H-block plate, and backing plates allows for alignment adjustments of the transition duct, utilizing clearance holes and fasteners to secure the duct in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed mounting system is used for the transition duct, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot compensate for misalignment between combustion system and turbine, leading to wear and distress
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic adjustable system. The support plate with slot and clearance holes, combined with the H-block plate and backing plates, enables the transition duct to be adjusted and repositioned to compensate for misalignment between the combustion system and turbine, while still maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Device complexity
If traditional fixed mounting is used, then the device complexity is low, but vibrations cause wear and distress on the transition duct and adjacent components
Solution Approach 1:
A damping member is introduced as an intermediary element between the transition duct and the mounting system. This damping member absorbs and isolates vibrations, preventing them from being transmitted to the transition duct and adjacent components, thereby reducing wear and distress while maintaining acceptable structural complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the transition duct is rigidly mounted, then the structure is stable, but it cannot adapt to misalignment between combustion system and turbine inlet
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system incorporates dynamic adjustability through the support plate with slot and clearance holes, H-block plate, and backing plates. This allows the transition duct to be positioned and adjusted to achieve proper alignment with both the combustion system and turbine inlet, while maintaining stability once adjusted through the fastening mechanism.
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 effectively reduces vibrations and enables proper alignment of the transition duct, minimizing wear and distress on engine components, thereby enhancing the durability and performance of gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
The damping member absorbs at least some of the vibrations between the transition duct and adjacent components of the gas turbine engine
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for reducing the vibrations to a transition duct and improving the assembly and fit-up of a transition duct relative to a combustion system are disclosed. A damping member is provided between the transition duct and its mounting points to the gas turbine engine. The damping member comprises one or more layers of a composite material positioned between layers of sheet metal. An adjustable mounting system is also provided for the transition duct to allow for movement of a transition duct relative to the combustion liner.