Turbine Casing Support Structure for Thermal Expansion Stress Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbines experience significant thermal deformation due to high-temperature operations, leading to stress concentration and potential damage from axial and circumferential thermal expansion, which existing support systems fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A support unit comprising a supporting unit and a stress supporting unit that includes first and second supports, auxiliary bearings, and stress supports made of high heat transfer materials, designed to absorb and dampen thermal expansion stresses, with a damping unit and warning sound generator for stability and alert mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the casing is supported by conventional support systems, then the casing is held in position, but thermal expansion stresses concentrate and cause potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecasing structural integrityVSAvoidthermal expansion stress concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

A stress supporting unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the casing and the second support. This stress supporting unit includes a stress support member that can elastically deform to absorb thermal expansion stresses, acting as a mediator that protects the casing from stress concentration while still providing positional support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support system changes its mechanical parameters (stiffness, flexibility) based on thermal conditions. The stress supporting unit is designed with specific elastic deformation characteristics that allow it to be flexible under thermal expansion conditions while maintaining stability under normal operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stress or pressure

If the stress supporting unit is added to absorb thermal stresses, then stress concentration is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal expansion stress absorptionVSAvoidsupport unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is segmented into functionally distinct components: a supporting unit (first support and second support) for positional support and a stress supporting unit for stress absorption. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Temperature

If high heat transfer materials are used in stress supports, then thermal stress absorption is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidstress support fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The material parameters of the stress support member are specifically selected and optimized to achieve high heat transfer capability. By changing material parameters (thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, density) within commercially available options, the system achieves improved thermal stress absorption without requiring complex manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Effectively absorbs and disperses thermal expansion stresses, preventing damage and maintaining structural stability, while providing a warning system for operational integrity.

Implementation Method 1

configured to receive heat from the casing and primarily absorb stress resulting from thermal expansion of the casing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

The auxiliary support may include a first bearing into which an end of the first extension is inserted, the first bearing coming into rolling contact with an inner surface of the second support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling contact: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentUS11131216B2Support unit for power unit, and turbine having the same

Publication Date: 2021.09.28 DOOSAN HEAVY IND & CONSTR CO LTD

AI summary

A support unit for a power unit reliably absorbs thermal deformation of the power unit due to thermal deformation of a casing and enables the center of the casing to be effectively maintained at a correct position. The support unit includes a supporting unit and a stress supporting unit. The supporting unit includes a first support configured to support a front part of the casing of the power unit, and a second support configured to support a rear part of the casing and provided with an auxiliary support configured to receive and support a weight of the casing. The stress supporting unit is disposed under the rear part of the casing and receives heat from the casing and primarily absorb stress resulting from thermal expansion of the casing. Stress in the casing resulting from the thermal expansion is secondarily damped by the second support via the stress supporting unit.