First Stage Turbine Vane Sealing for Thermal Mismatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing first stage vane arrangement in gas turbines with can combustors faces challenges in maintaining good aerodynamics and reliable cooling due to relative movements and thermal mismatches between transition pieces and vanes, leading to steps at the interface, which cause aerodynamic inefficiencies and increased cooling gas consumption.
Innovation Solution
The proposed first stage vane arrangement includes a pivotable connection system with a vane carrier, frame segments, and seals to accommodate radial, circumferential, and axial movements, utilizing an L-shaped hook and honeycomb seals to enhance sealing and alignment, ensuring a gas-tight interface and reducing cooling air leakages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sealed slots are used to allow radial, circumferential and axial relative movements between transition piece and support frames, then movement capability is improved, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates due to steps at the interface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a dynamic sealing solution where the seal element is mounted on a movable carrier that can accommodate radial, circumferential and axial movements. The seal element itself is flexible and can deform to maintain contact with the transition piece surface, allowing relative movements while preventing step formation that would harm aerodynamics
Solution Approach 2:
The seal element is designed as a flexible component that can deform and adapt its shape to maintain sealing contact with the transition piece surface during relative movements. This flexibility allows the seal to follow the surface contours without creating steps, thus preserving aerodynamic performance while enabling movement
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid support frames are used to guide the transition piece, then structural stability is improved, but sealing capability deteriorates due to thermal growth mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is designed with dynamic elements that can accommodate thermal growth and dimensional changes of the transition piece. The flexible seal element and movable carrier allow the system to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining sealing integrity, thus preserving reliability under thermal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The seal element is designed to change its physical parameters such as flexibility and deformation characteristics in response to thermal conditions. This allows the seal to maintain its sealing function despite thermal growth mismatch between the rigid support frame and the transition piece
3Reliability
If multiple sealing elements are used to accommodate all relative movements, then sealing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal element is designed as a multi-functional component that can simultaneously accommodate radial, circumferential and axial movements with a single integrated structure. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple separate sealing elements, reducing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive sealing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple sealing functions into a single seal element that can handle all types of relative movements. By combining radial, circumferential and axial sealing capabilities in one component, the system achieves comprehensive sealing without the complexity of multiple separate sealing elements
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a vane arrangement with a vane carrier, an array of rocking first stage vanes, and an array of frame segments for axially receiving aft ends of a combustor transition pieces. The frame segments comprise an I-beam with an upper horizontal element, a lower horizontal element, a vertical web, a radially outer fixation to the vane carrier, and an arm extending from the lower horizontal element in axial direction below the inner rim segment for supporting the inner platform of the vane and for sealing a gap between the inner platform and the lower horizontal element. Besides the vane arrangement the disclosure relates to a method for assembly of such an arrangement as well as to a gas turbine comprising such a vane arrangement.