Turbine Assembly Support Geometry to Prevent Galling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly and disassembly of rotary machines, such as gas turbines, are hindered by contact issues (galling) between the casing and annular body due to strain, causing difficulties in joining and separating these components.
Innovation Solution
A turbine assembly design featuring a first protrusion and a second protrusion with a supporting recess configuration, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly by moving and rotating the main body to align and accommodate these components, reducing the risk of tilting and facilitating secure attachment without direct joining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the annular body is joined to the casing by bolts, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but contact (galling) occurs between the casing and annular body due to strain, making assembly and disassembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple independent support portions distributed around the annular body. Each support portion provides localized support without requiring complete bolting around the entire annular body, enabling selective engagement and easier assembly/disassembly while maintaining structural strength through distributed support points.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential support function from the bolted joint system. Instead of using bolts that create contact and galling, the support portions are designed to engage with the annular body through interference fit or geometric constraints, separating the support function from the harmful contact stress of bolted connections.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the annular body is supported by the casing, then the stability and position fixation are improved, but the assembly and disassembly processes become complex due to contact issues
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple discrete support portions around the annular body. This segmentation allows each support portion to be independently engaged or disengaged, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining overall positional stability through the combined effect of multiple support points.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of fixing the annular body to the casing through complex bolting operations, the invention inverts the approach by having the annular body naturally positioned and stabilized by the geometric configuration of the support portions. The support portions are designed to engage with the annular body's outer surface, allowing gravity and geometric constraints to provide stability rather than mechanical fasteners.
3Strength
If bolts are used to join the annular body and casing, then the connection strength is improved, but galling occurs causing damage to the contact surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the connection strength function from the bolted joint and implements it through the geometric interference and friction between the support portions and the annular body's outer surface. This eliminates the need for bolts that cause galling, while maintaining connection strength through the combined effect of normal force from interference fit and friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The support portions act as intermediaries between the casing and the annular body. Instead of direct contact between the casing and annular body that causes galling, the support portions mediate the connection through controlled interference fit, distributing the contact stress and preventing galling while maintaining connection strength.
Data Source
AI summary
This turbine assembly comprises: a first main body provided with a first protrusion constituting a part of an annular body formed annularly around an axis and protruding radially outward and horizontally from the annular body, and a second protrusion projecting radially outward from a position different from that of the first protrusion in the circumferential direction of the annular body; and a first casing provided with a support surface that supports the first protrusion from below, and a first recess that is recessed radially outward and that accommodates the second protrusion, the dimension of the first recess in the axial direction of the annular body being greater than the dimension of the second protrusion, the axis of the annular body being disposed horizontally, and a gap being formed in the axial direction between the second protrusion and the first recess when the second protrusion is accommodated in the first recess.