Integrated Transition Nozzle Heat Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine systems face leakage issues between the combustor and turbine, leading to decreased performance and emissions efficiency, and increased operating temperatures shorten the lifespan of components, while traditional seal maintenance is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A transition nozzle with an integrally formed transition and nozzle portion, featuring surface features that facilitate heat transfer away from the components, enhancing cooling and allowing for increased operating temperatures and emissions capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If seals are used between combustor and turbine to reduce leakages, then emissions capability is improved, but maintenance complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage reductionVSAvoidseal maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal function is extracted from separate seal components and integrated into the transition nozzle structure itself. The transition nozzle is designed with a specific geometry that creates a sealing interface with the combustor, eliminating the need for separate seal components and their associated maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function is merged with the transition nozzle structure. The transition nozzle serves both as a flow transition component and as a sealing element, combining multiple functions into a single component to reduce overall system complexity and maintenance burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If operating temperature is increased to enhance emissions capability, then emissions performance is improved, but component lifespan decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemissions capabilityVSAvoidcomponent lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The high temperature environment, which normally causes thermal degradation and reduces component lifespan, is converted into a beneficial condition. The transition nozzle geometry is designed to utilize the thermal field to enhance heat transfer from the combustion gases, allowing the system to operate at higher temperatures for improved emissions performance while managing thermal loads through the integrated cooling channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The transition nozzle acts as an intermediary component that manages the thermal field between the combustor and turbine. It includes integrated cooling channels that serve as heat transfer pathways, mediating the thermal loads and enabling higher operating temperatures while protecting downstream components from excessive heat exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used for transition and nozzle functions, then design flexibility is improved, but part count and maintenance cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidpart count

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transition portion and nozzle portion are merged into a single integrated transition nozzle component. This consolidation reduces the part count, simplifies assembly procedures, and lowers maintenance costs by eliminating the need to service multiple separate components, while the integrated design maintains the necessary flow transition and nozzle functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 integrated transition nozzle design improves thermal durability and emissions performance by efficiently managing heat and reducing part count, thereby reducing maintenance costs and downtime.

Implementation Method 1

at least one surface feature positioned to transfer heat away from the transition portion and/or the nozzle portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Implementation Method 2

at least one surface feature configured to transfer heat away from the transition portion and/or the nozzle portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8915087B2Methods and systems for transferring heat from a transition nozzle

Publication Date: 2014.12.23 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems are provided for transferring heat from a transition nozzle. The transition nozzle includes a transition portion, a nozzle portion integrally formed with the transition portion, and at least one surface feature configured to transfer heat away from the transition portion and/or the nozzle portion. The transition portion is oriented to channel the combustion gases towards the nozzle portion.