Turbine Ring Segment Positioning Member Axial Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbomachine turbines face inefficiencies due to leakage zones between the gas flow section and the cooling circuit, caused by the expansion of ring segments under high temperatures, leading to potential gas or cooling fluid penetration.
Innovation Solution
A positioning member with a fastener portion, a resilient portion forming a spring, and a bearing portion is used to securely fasten and press the ring segments against the casing, providing axial force for sealing between the gas flow section and the cooling circuit, thereby preventing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ring segments are held by positioning members without axial pressing, then assembly is simple, but leakage zones are created allowing gas or cooling fluid penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides radial positioning, axial pressing force, and sealing. The bearing portion presses the ring segment axially against the casing while the fastener portion secures it radially, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient portion changes its physical state through elastic deformation to provide the axial pressing force. When mounted, the resilient portion deforms elastically to press the ring segment against the casing, creating a reliable seal without requiring complex mechanical structures.
2Reliability
If ring segments are pressed axially against the casing, then sealing is improved, but the positioning member becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient portion utilizes elastic deformation to generate the necessary axial pressing force. This parameter change approach allows the positioning member to provide reliable sealing through a simple elastic spring mechanism rather than complex mechanical pressing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient portion is self-actuating through its elastic properties. When installed, it automatically deforms to press the ring segment against the casing, providing sealing without requiring external actuation or complex control mechanisms.
3Temperature
If cooling fluid flows around the ring, then cooling is achieved, but leakage zones are created allowing fluid penetration into gas flow sections
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member acts as an intermediary sealing element between the cooling circuit and the gas flow section. It creates a reliable barrier that prevents cooling fluid from leaking into the gas flow sections while allowing the cooling fluid to effectively cool the ring segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient portion changes its volume and shape through elastic deformation to maintain sealing under thermal and pressure conditions. This parameter change allows the sealing to remain effective while permitting adequate cooling fluid flow for thermal management.
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 seals the gap between the gas flow and cooling circuits, enhancing turbomachine efficiency by preventing fluid penetration and maintaining ring segment alignment, which reduces radial offset and improves performance.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient portion forming a spring
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning member for presenting a ring segment for a turbine wheel mounted to rotate about an axis inside a casing. The member presents: a fastener portion for fastening to the casing; a resilient portion forming a spring; and a bearing portion connected to the resilient portion and serving to bear axially against the ring segment such that when the member is mounted the ring segment is pressed axially against a portion of the casing by the positioning member.