Turbine Load Coupling Cooling via Rotating Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine systems face challenges in effectively cooling load couplings due to increasing exhaust temperatures, which can lead to overheating and potential failure of components like instrumentation, sensors, and fluid piping, necessitating the use of specialized materials that increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system is introduced that includes a set of blades and a shroud mounted along the load coupling to direct cooler air from ambient or ventilation ducts, separating the air flow from hot exhaust gases and maintaining it in contact with the load coupling, thereby reducing temperature and avoiding the need for specialized materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If exhaust temperatures are increased to improve power output, then power output is improved, but load coupling temperature increases causing overheating and potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust housing is segmented into a first portion and a second portion, with the load coupling extending through both. This segmentation allows the first portion to be positioned closer to the hot exhaust gases for heat absorption, while the second portion remains in a cooler region, effectively dividing the thermal exposure and protecting the load coupling from excessive temperatures while maintaining power output.
2Reliability
If specialized materials are used to withstand high temperatures, then reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust housing acts as an intermediary thermal management component, positioned between the hot exhaust gases and the load coupling. It absorbs and dissipates heat through its design (segmentation and positioning), protecting the load coupling and associated components from thermal damage without requiring them to be made from expensive high-temperature specialized materials.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional materials are used to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but components are susceptible to overheating and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The high-temperature exhaust gases, which are harmful to the load coupling, are converted into a beneficial thermal management resource. The exhaust housing utilizes the thermal energy from the exhaust gases in a controlled manner, directing cooler exhaust gases toward the load coupling area to provide passive cooling, thereby protecting conventional materials from overheating while maintaining system reliability.
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 cooling system effectively reduces the temperature of load couplings and associated components, ensuring reliable operation and cost savings by preventing overheating and extending the lifespan of existing materials, while also cooling other structures within the system.
Implementation Method 1
a fan including a set of blades which are coupled to the load coupling and arranged to draw air into the inlet passage as the set of blades rotates with the load coupling
Implementation Method 2
The system comprises a shroud in the form a cylindrical heat insulating material which is mounted about the load coupling to define an inlet passage between the shroud and the load coupling
Implementation Method 3
a shroud in the form a cylindrical heat insulating material which is mounted about the load coupling
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for cooling a load coupling (140) coupled to a gas turbine (120) and disposed within an exhaust housing (126) is provided. The system includes a shroud (162) configured to be mounted about the load coupling (140), the shroud (162) defining an inlet passage (170) between the shroud (162) and the load coupling (140) and an outlet passage (172) between the exhaust housing (126) and the shroud (162). The system also includes set of blades (200, 204) configured to couple to the load coupling (140). The set of blades (200, 204) are angled to draw air (202) into the inlet passage (170) as the set of blades (200, 204) rotate with the load coupling (140).