Turbine Transition Duct Support Assembly for Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine systems face issues with thermal expansion of non-linear transition ducts causing undesirable shifts and stresses, which can lead to duct failure due to the lack of effective support assemblies that allow for thermal growth.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly for turbine systems that includes an annular contact member and a support structure, allowing movement of transition ducts about one or more axes, such as tangential and radial axes, to accommodate thermal expansion and prevent stress buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If transition ducts are designed to shift hot gas flow radially or tangentially, then first stage nozzles can be eliminated and efficiency increases, but thermal expansion causes undesirable shifts and stresses that may lead to duct failure
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly incorporates movable support structures that allow the transition duct to dynamically adjust its position and orientation in response to thermal expansion. The support members are designed to permit controlled movement along and rotation about axes, enabling the duct to accommodate thermal growth without generating excessive stresses that would compromise reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention addresses thermal expansion by allowing changes in the duct's positional parameters (location and orientation) through the movable support assembly. The support structure enables the duct to shift along longitudinal, radial, and tangential axes, and to rotate about these axes, thereby accommodating parameter changes due to thermal effects while maintaining structural integrity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the duct is rigidly fixed to prevent movement, then structural stability is improved, but thermal expansion causes stress buildup and potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than rigidly fixing the duct, the support assembly provides a dynamic support system where the duct can move controllably. The movable support members allow the duct to adjust its position and orientation in response to thermal expansion, preventing stress buildup while maintaining adequate positional stability through the constrained nature of the allowed movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly acts as an intermediary between the fixed turbine system and the thermally expanding duct. It mediates the thermal expansion effects by providing a controlled movement interface, allowing the duct to expand and shift without transmitting excessive stresses to the duct structure itself, while still maintaining the duct's functional position within the turbine system.
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 support assembly effectively manages thermal expansion of transition ducts, reducing the risk of failure by allowing controlled movement and stress relief, thereby enhancing the durability and efficiency of turbine systems.
Implementation Method 1
thermal expansion of the ducts can cause undesirable shifts in the ducts along or about various axes
Data Source
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AI summary
A support assembly (100) for a turbine system (10) is disclosed. The support assembly (100) includes a transition duct (50) extending between a fuel nozzle and a turbine section. The transition duct has an inlet (52), an outlet (54), and a passage (56) extending between the inlet (52) and the outlet (54) and defining a longitudinal axis (90), a radial axis (94), and a tangential axis (92). The outlet (54) of the transition duct (50) is offset from the inlet (52) along the longitudinal axis (90). The support assembly (100) further includes an annular contact member (102) extending from the transition duct (50). The contact member (102) is configured to allow movement of the transition duct (50) about at least one axis. A corresponding turbine system is also provided.