Turbine Ejection Cone Sealing Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing turbomachine turbine assemblies face issues with hot gas infiltration into the ejection cone, leading to performance reduction and potential deterioration, due to gaps between the fixing lugs and the exhaust casing.

Innovation Solution

An annular sealing ferrule is introduced to cover the circumferential spaces between the fixing lugs, and a downstream annular seal is used to fill axial gaps, while upstream and downstream seals are employed to address thermal expansion and noise damping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the ejection cone is connected to the exhaust casing using fixing lugs with circumferential spaces, then the assembly is simpler and easier to manufacture, but hot gases infiltrate into the ejection cone causing performance reduction and deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidprotection against hot gas infiltration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A connecting member with sealing ferrule is introduced as an intermediary component between the exhaust casing and ejection cone. The sealing ferrule specifically acts as a mediator to block hot gas infiltration through the circumferential spaces, while the connecting member maintains the structural connection. This resolves the contradiction by adding a mediating element that provides sealing without complicating the overall assembly structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If sealing components are added to prevent hot gas infiltration, then protection against hot gas infiltration is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against hot gas infiltrationVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ferrule and connecting member are merged into a single integrated component. The sealing ferrule is formed as part of the connecting member structure, combining the sealing function and connecting function in one element. This reduces device complexity by eliminating separate sealing components while maintaining effective protection against hot gas infiltration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If the connecting flange uses multiple fixing lugs distributed around the circumference, then the connection strength is improved, but circumferential spaces are created allowing hot gas penetration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidhot gas penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ferrule acts as an intermediary barrier that fills the circumferential spaces between fixing lugs. It maintains the multi-lug configuration for connection strength while blocking hot gas penetration paths, thus resolving the contradiction between connection strength and hot gas protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If thermal expansion is not compensated, then the structure remains simpler, but operational reliability deteriorates under thermal conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidoperational reliability under thermal conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting member is designed with adjustable parameters including axial position and radial dimensions that can accommodate thermal expansion. The structure allows for parameter changes under thermal conditions while maintaining sealing effectiveness and connection integrity, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and thermal reliability.

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

The solution effectively reduces hot gas infiltration, enhances turbomachine performance, and compensates for thermal expansion, thereby improving operational efficiency and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

an annular sealing ferrule surrounding an upstream part of the connecting member so as to cover the spaces situated circumferentially between the lugs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier sealing: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

a downstream annular seal mounted at a downstream end of the sealing ferrule and located radially opposite the radially internal wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion compensation: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

The acoustic box is provided to reduce the noise nuisance of the exhaust gases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP4226034B1Sealing assembly for a turbine ejection cone
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 SAFRAN CERAMICS SA
  • EP4226034B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4226034B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4226034B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relatejavascript: document.forms[0].task.value='8515023'; doSubmit('gototask_8515023')s to an assembly for a turbomachine turbine extending along an axis (X), comprising: - an ejection cone (100) comprising a radially outer annular wall (102) defining a flow duct for a flow of hot gases and a sound box radially arranged inside the outer annular wall (102), the sound box comprising a radially inner annular wall (104), - a connecting member (106) intended to be axially inserted between the exhaust housing and the ejection cone (100), the connecting member (106) comprising an upstream annular flange (108) intended to be attached to the exhaust housing and a plurality of downstream securing tabs (110) connected to the inner annular wall (104), - an annular sealing shroud (112) comprising an upstream portion surrounding the securing tabs (110) of the connecting member (106) so as to cover the spaces circumferentially located between the securing tabs (110) and axially located between the upstream annular flange (108) of the connecting member (106) and the radially inner annular wall (104).