Turbine Casing Cooling Tube Mounting for Precise Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling devices for turbomachine casings face challenges in precisely controlling the position of cooling tubes due to thermal, mechanical, and vibratory stresses, leading to potential irreversible deformation and inefficient cooling.

Innovation Solution

A cooling device with a Z-shaped connecting member that provides resistance to bending and twisting, allowing precise axial and radial positioning of fixing members and tubes, preventing deformation and ensuring accurate placement relative to the casing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional fastening members are used to secure cooling tubes to the casing, then the cooling device can be assembled, but the tubes cannot be precisely positioned and are prone to deformation under thermal and mechanical stresses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precision of cooling tubesVSAvoidresistance to deformation under stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening member is divided into three distinct portions: a first portion for securing to the casing, a second portion for securing to the tube, and a third portion extending axially to provide positioning. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, enabling precise tube positioning while maintaining reliability under stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The third portion of the fastening member acts as an intermediary element that provides both mechanical support and precise positioning between the casing and the cooling tube. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by mediating the connection in a way that simultaneously achieves positioning precision and deformation resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the cooling tube position is not precisely controlled, then assembly is simpler, but cooling efficiency decreases due to incorrect positioning relative to the casing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidtube positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening member incorporates a third portion with specific local geometry designed for precise positioning. This localized structural feature provides the necessary positioning accuracy without complicating the overall assembly process, as the positioning function is integrated into the fastening member itself rather than requiring separate adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the fastening structure is made more complex to prevent deformation, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to irreversible deformationVSAvoidfastening structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides securing, positioning, and deformation resistance functions. By integrating multiple functions into a single element rather than using separate components, the structure achieves high reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

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

The solution ensures effective cooling by maintaining correct tube positioning, reducing deformation, and improving manufacturing control, resulting in enhanced cooling efficiency and reduced sensitivity to vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

Each tube 23 also has a cylindrical wall with air discharge ports facing the housing 18, so that cooling air can enter the manifold housings 22 and then the tubes 23 before exiting through the ports opposite the housing 18, thereby cooling it. This is known as impact cooling, since the air impacts the housing 18.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact cooling: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3775501B1Cooling device for a turbine of a turbomachine
Publication Date: 2022.02.16 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS
  • EP3775501B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3775501B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3775501B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Cooling device (21) extending circumferentially around a turbomachine casing, such as a turbine casing, comprising a support (24) extending axially and designed to be secured to the casing, at least one cooling tube extending circumferentially, at least one securing member (25), comprising a radially inner portion (36) at least partially surrounding the tube, and a radially outer portion (37) secured to the support (24), the radially outer portion (37) of the securing member (25) being secured to the support (24) via the intermediary of a connection member (30) comprising a central portion (31) having a first circumferential end portion (32) and a second circumferential end portion (32) which are circumferentially opposite, the first end portion (32) and the second end portion (32) each extending in an opposite axial direction, the first and second end portions (32, 32) each being secured to the support (24), the radially outer portion (37) of the securing member (25) being secured to the central portion (31) of the connection member (30).