Gas Turbine Combustor Transition Piece Mounting System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integral mount in gas turbine engines blocks access for assembly, service, and maintenance operations, as it is fixed and cannot be removed to provide access for these tasks.
Innovation Solution
A selectively removable aft mounting system with removable mounting portions and joints, such as bolts or hinged joints, between the transition piece and the turbine casing, allowing for rotational movement and access to previously blocked areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an integral mount is used to couple the transition piece to the frame, then structural strength and fixed positioning are improved, but accessibility for assembly, service, and maintenance operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a mounting bracket with retention lugs that can be independently attached to the frame, and a transition piece that couples to the bracket. This segmentation allows the transition piece to be removed for accessibility while maintaining structural strength through the bracket-frame connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system transitions from a fixed integral mount to a dynamic removable configuration. The transition piece can be selectively attached and detached from the mounting bracket, allowing the system to adapt between providing structural strength during operation and providing accessibility during maintenance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If an integral mount is used to couple the transition piece to the frame, then structural stability is improved, but ease of repair and service deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a mounting bracket with retention lugs that can be independently attached to the frame, and a transition piece that couples to the bracket. This segmentation allows the transition piece to be removed for accessibility while maintaining structural strength through the bracket-frame connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition piece can be selectively removed from the mounting bracket for repair or replacement while the bracket remains attached to the frame. After repair, the transition piece is reattached to the bracket, allowing efficient maintenance without replacing the entire mounting structure.
3Ease of operation
If a removable mounting system is used instead of an integral mount, then accessibility for maintenance operations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket serves multiple functions: it provides structural support when the transition piece is attached, and it serves as a mounting platform for other components when the transition piece is removed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention lugs and corresponding openings provide a self-aligning, tool-friendly connection system that facilitates easy attachment and removal of the transition piece without requiring complex tools or procedures, thereby minimizing the operational complexity of the removable mounting system.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
A system includes a combustor transition piece (34) configured to mount between a combustor and a turbine of a gas turbine engine. The combustor transition piece (34) includes a hollow body with an internal flow passage extending from an upstream end portion (48) to a downstream end portion (50). The combustor transition piece (34) also includes an aft frame (60) coupled to the downstream end portion (50) of the hollow body, an aft flange (62) coupled to the aft frame (60), and a mounting lug (64) removably coupled to the aft frame (60) at a first joint (44). The mounting lug (64) is configured to removably couple to a mounting bracket (68) at a second joint (46).