Turbine Sliding Stator Thrust Force Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current turbine distributor assembly designs require significant mass and dimensioning of the diffuser casing to handle thrust forces, which can be inefficient and lead to unnecessary stress and mass distribution issues.
Innovation Solution
An axial sliding connection is introduced between the inner and outer casing lines, allowing all thrust forces to be applied to the outer casing, eliminating forces on the internal line and enabling reduced mass and thickness of the internal casing components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the distributor is mounted with pins connecting the inner edge to the internal casing line, then the distributor can be securely attached and recover differential expansions, but the internal casing line must be significantly dimensioned to handle thrust forces, increasing its mass
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the thrust force bearing function from the internal casing line by introducing a dedicated thrust bearing structure at the outer edge of the distributor. This allows the internal casing line to be relieved of thrust forces while maintaining secure attachment through the pin connection, thereby reducing its required mass and dimensioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the functional responsibilities between different parts of the distributor mounting system: the pin connection handles secure attachment and differential expansion recovery, while the newly introduced thrust bearing structure at the outer edge specifically handles thrust forces. This functional segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing the mass of the internal casing line.
2Strength
If the internal casing line is dimensioned to handle thrust forces, then the distributor can be reliably mounted, but the mass and thickness of the diffuser casing increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the thrust force handling function from the diffuser casing by introducing a dedicated thrust bearing structure. This allows the diffuser casing to be significantly reduced in mass and thickness while maintaining the required strength to handle thrust forces through the specialized bearing structure at the outer edge.
3Force
If pins are used to attach the distributor to the internal casing line, then the connection is mechanically secure, but significant mass is required in both the internal line and outer casing to accommodate the forces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the thrust force bearing function from the pin connection and casing structures by introducing a dedicated thrust bearing structure at the outer edge. This allows the pin connection to maintain mechanical security for attachment while the thrust bearing specifically handles thrust forces, thereby reducing the mass of both the internal line and outer casing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the force handling functions: the pin connection maintains mechanical security for attachment, while the dedicated thrust bearing structure at the outer edge handles thrust forces. This functional segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific purpose, reducing overall casing mass.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a novel solution for mounting a guide vane assembly for a turbomachine turbine, formed of an annular row of fixed flow-stabilizing vanes. According to the invention, the outer edge (11) of the guide vane assembly is axially supported on the extension of the external casing (5, 50) of the turbine, and the inner edge (10) of the guide vane assembly is in sliding axial connection (LG) with the extension of the internal casing (3, 30) of the turbine, the axial sliding connection (LG) allowing the inner edge (10) to be free along the motor axis while the axial stop is achieved by axial contact of the outer edge of the vane.