Turbine Casing Ledge Ring Partition Aperture for Steam Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional turbine casing segments with extraction boxes occupy excessive space and complicate fabrication, making them impractical for certain designs where additional extraction conduits are needed, especially in low-pressure steam turbines.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of ledge ring partitions with axially extending apertures allows for flush, continuous interfaces between extraction conduits and the turbine casing, enabling extraction apertures and conduits with identical inner diameters to span between multiple stages, eliminating the need for extraction boxes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If extraction boxes are used to connect extraction conduits to the casing segment, then the extraction conduit can be properly connected to the casing, but the extraction box occupies excessive space and complicates fabrication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the extraction box component entirely and integrates its function directly into the casing segment through an extraction aperture. This eliminates the separate extraction box structure that caused fabrication complexity and space occupation, while maintaining the essential function of connecting extraction conduits to the casing.
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction aperture is integrated directly into the casing segment, merging the extraction function with the casing structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate extraction boxes and reduces the number of components, thereby simplifying fabrication and reducing space requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If extraction boxes are incorporated into the turbine casing, then extraction conduits can be connected, but they occupy an undesirable amount of space in the casing segment
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction box is removed and its function is integrated directly into the casing segment through an extraction aperture. This eliminates the space-consuming separate extraction box structure while maintaining the ability to connect extraction conduits, thereby reducing the area occupied in the casing segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction aperture extends through the casing segment in a different dimensional arrangement, allowing extraction conduits to connect directly without requiring the bulky three-dimensional extraction box structure. This dimensional reconfiguration reduces the space occupied while maintaining extraction functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If extraction boxes are used, then extraction conduits can be connected to the casing segment, but the fabrication of the casing segment becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction box component is removed entirely, eliminating the complex interface between the extraction box and the casing segment. This simplifies the fabrication process by reducing the number of components and eliminating the need to assemble and seal the extraction box interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction function is merged directly into the casing segment through an integrated extraction aperture. This eliminates the separate extraction box interface and reduces fabrication complexity by consolidating components into a single piece, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process.
Data Source
AI summary
A turbine casing segment is disclosed. In one embodiment, a turbine casing segment is disclosed including: a plurality of stage segments; a plurality of ledge ring partitions separating the plurality of stage segments, wherein at least one of the plurality of ledge ring partitions has an axially extending aperture therethrough; and a substantially rounded extraction aperture located flush with an inner surface of one of the plurality of stage segments.