Turbine Support Ring Segmentation for Leakage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine engines face significant cooling air leakage through turbine static structures due to thermal growth, leading to reduced efficiency and increased complexity in assembly, as existing designs require numerous segments and seals to manage temperature gradients.

Innovation Solution

A turbine support ring with fewer segments and strategically positioned sheet metal plates in radially and circumferentially extending slots, which are staked to form a seal while allowing for thermal growth, reducing air leakage and assembly complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the support ring is divided into numerous segments to allow thermal growth, then thermal expansion capability is improved, but air leakage increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal expansion capabilityVSAvoidcooling air leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The support ring is divided into a limited number of segments (2-4) rather than numerous segments, allowing thermal expansion while minimizing leakage paths. Each segment can expand independently to accommodate thermal growth without creating excessive gaps for air leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Flexible seal members are introduced as intermediary elements between segments to bridge the gaps created by thermal expansion. These seals accommodate the movement and expansion of segments while preventing cooling air from leaking through the gaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the support ring is divided into numerous segments to allow thermal growth, then thermal expansion capability is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal expansion capabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support ring is segmented into a small number of large sections (2-4 segments) rather than many small segments, significantly reducing the number of assembly operations required while still providing sufficient thermal expansion capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple seal members are combined into a single continuous seal member that spans across segments, reducing the number of separate assembly operations and simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If seal members are placed in gaps between segments to control air leakage, then air leakage is reduced, but thermal growth restriction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling air leakageVSAvoidthermal growth freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Flexible seal members are used that can deform and move with the thermal expansion of segments. The flexibility of these seal members allows them to maintain contact and sealing effectiveness while accommodating the thermal growth and movement of the support ring segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The seal members are designed to be dynamic rather than rigid, allowing them to adapt their position and shape in response to thermal expansion. This dynamic behavior enables the seals to maintain effective sealing while permitting the necessary thermal movement of segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 significantly reduces cooling air leakage by approximately 50% compared to prior art designs, enhancing efficiency and simplifying the assembly process by using fewer segments and effective sealing mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

the segments have improved thermal expansion capability while reducing air leakage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

The plates are staked to the support ring structure so as to provide a seal member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStaking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS7958735B2Turbine static structure for reduced leakage air

Publication Date: 2011.06.14 H2 IP UK LTD

AI summary

A turbine static structure having reduced leakage air is disclosed. A static structure turbine support ring having few segments is disclosed in which the segments have improved thermal expansion capability with reduced air leakage. A plurality of radially extending slots are placed in the segments to reduce stiffness. In order to minimize air leakage through the support ring, generally circumferential slots are placed in the ring and connect with the generally radially extending slots. Positioned in each of the generally radially extending slots and generally circumferential slots, and in contact with each other, are two sheet metal plates. The plates are staked to the support ring structure so as to provide a seal member, yet compensate for thermal growth.