Turbine Nozzle Baffle Annular Box Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine nozzle baffles in axial turbine engines face issues with rigidity, leading to variations in position relative to rotor disks, resulting in inefficient cooling and increased windage losses due to uneven surfaces and large cavities, which affect engine efficiency and require labor-intensive maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece annular box structure baffle with a static portion of a rotating seal, providing a strong, lightweight support that maintains consistent position and reduces windage losses, and is easily removable for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional multi-piece baffle structure is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but rigidity deteriorates leading to position variations and increased windage losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate baffle pieces into a single integrated one-piece annular box structure. This consolidation eliminates the rigidity problems associated with multi-piece constructions while maintaining manufacturability through techniques like precision casting or machining of the unified structure.
2Loss of energy
If the baffle structure is made more rigid to maintain consistent position, then windage losses are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the baffle into a single rigid one-piece structure, the patent achieves consistent positioning and reduced windage losses without increasing operational complexity. The simplified monolithic design actually reduces complexity compared to multi-piece systems requiring alignment and assembly.
3Ease of operation
If the baffle position varies relative to rotor disks, then ease of operation is improved for maintenance, but cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the baffle into a removable one-piece annular box structure that can be easily extracted for maintenance while maintaining precise positioning during operation. The standardized interface allows for quick removal and reinstallation without compromising the consistent position required for effective cooling.
4Strength
If a one-piece annular box structure is used, then rigidity is improved for consistent positioning, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs modern manufacturing capabilities to produce the one-piece annular box structure through precision casting or single-piece machining. These techniques enable the creation of complex rigid geometries that would be difficult with traditional multi-piece assembly methods.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention is a turbine nozzle baffle including an annular box structure. The turbine nozzle baffle includes a first diaphragm, a second diaphragm, and a static portion of a rotating seal that form a one-piece annular box structure. The first diaphragm extends from an inner diameter of the box structure to an outer diameter of the box structure to form a first axial side. The second diaphragm includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends from the inner diameter to the outer diameter to form a second axial side. The second portion extends toward the first axial side to form the outer diameter. The second diaphragm connects to the first diaphragm at the outer diameter. The static portion of the rotating seal faces radially inward at the inner diameter between the first axial side and the second axial side.