Turbine Blade Segments With Protruding Support Struts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing turbine blade structures face issues with relative movement between blade segments under radial pressure and the inability to use tie rod passage openings as cooling channels, requiring additional fastening mechanisms and limiting cooling capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The use of outwardly protruding support struts with transverse projections that engage corresponding recesses on blade segments, eliminating the need for separate fastening means and allowing the support struts to function as cooling channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tie rods with passage openings are used to connect blade segments, then the blade segments can be held together, but the passage openings cannot be used as cooling channels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidcooling channel functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support strut is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical connection between blade segments through protrusions and recesses, and serves as a cooling channel through its hollow interior. This merging of connection and cooling functions eliminates the need for separate fastening means and enables effective cooling of the blade assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Force

If radial pressure forces are applied to hold blade segments together, then the segments remain connected, but relative movement between segments can still occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial pressure forceVSAvoidsegment position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support strut is segmented with protrusions that engage into corresponding recesses on adjacent blade segments. This segmentation creates discrete connection points that prevent relative movement between segments while allowing the overall structure to maintain flexibility under radial pressure forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions of the support strut are nested into the recesses of the blade segments, creating an interlocking configuration. This nesting mechanism provides mechanical interlocking that prevents relative movement between segments while maintaining the radial pressure force distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Stability of the object's composition

If separate fastening means are provided to prevent relative movement, then segment stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesegment position stabilityVSAvoidfastening mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support strut integrates both the connection function and the cooling function into a single component. The protrusions provide mechanical fastening while the hollow interior provides cooling channels, eliminating the need for separate fastening means and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support strut is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as a mechanical connector and a cooling channel. This universal design reduces the number of parts needed and simplifies the overall blade assembly structure.

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

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 effectively prevents relative movement between blade segments, enhances stability, and enables the use of support struts as cooling channels, reducing thermal stresses and improving overall performance.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling fluid can be passed through the support strut during the intended use of the arrangement by the support strut, so that the at least one support strut defines a cooling channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3280879B1Arrangement for a turbine
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3280879B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3280879B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3280879B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement (1) for a turbine comprising a metallic support structure having at least one radial support strut (3, 4, 5) and a multiplicity of plate-shaped, fiber-reinforced ceramic segments (6) which are arranged one on top of the other on the support structure and together define the circumferential contour, the segments (6) being provided with through-openings (12) through which the at least one support strut (3, 4, 5) extends, wherein the at least one support strut (3, 4, 5) has outwardly-extending projections (9) that extend perpendicular to the radial direction and engage in corresponding recesses (13) formed in the segments (6).