Gas Turbine Vane Carrier Active Clearance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine plants face inefficiencies due to excessive clearances between rotating blades and stator vane carriers, leading to leakage and reduced efficiency, as existing active control solutions are not sufficiently effective in managing thermo-mechanical differences and space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A vane carrier with a flexible active clearance control system featuring multiple clearance control cavities and a sequential discharge configuration, where the cavities are radially oriented and evenly distributed along the circumferential direction, allowing for optimized space use and enhanced thermo-mechanical behavior, with control fluid discharged into working fluid channels to provide additional useful work.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clearance between rotating blades and stator vane carrier is increased to avoid contact, then reliability is improved, but leakage increases and efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by actively controlling the temperature of the vane carrier through thermal exchange with control fluid in the clearance control cavity. This changes the thermal expansion parameters of the vane carrier material, allowing dynamic adjustment of the clearance size to optimize both reliability and efficiency under different operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by transitioning from a static clearance design to an active control system where the clearance can dynamically adjust based on operating conditions. The control fluid flow through the clearance control cavity enables real-time modification of the vane carrier dimensions, making the clearance adaptive rather than fixed
2Productivity
If active clearance control system is implemented, then leakage is reduced and efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clearance control function with the existing thermal management system of the gas turbine. The clearance control cavity is integrated into the vane carrier structure and uses the same control fluid infrastructure already present in the turbine, combining multiple functions into a unified system that reduces overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by utilizing the control fluid that is already flowing through the turbine for dual purposes: both for thermal management and for clearance control. The control fluid automatically performs thermal exchange with the vane carrier through the clearance control cavity, eliminating the need for separate active control mechanisms
3Reliability
If multiple clearance control cavities are distributed circumferentially, then clearance control effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the clearance control function into multiple discrete cavities distributed around the circumference of the vane carrier. Each cavity independently controls the clearance in its specific sector, allowing localized optimization and simplifying the manufacturing of each individual cavity while achieving overall superior control effectiveness
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 minimizes leakage and optimizes efficiency by actively controlling clearances, maintaining safe operation while reducing fluid requirements and enhancing heat transfer, resulting in a more efficient gas turbine plant for electrical power production.
Implementation Method 1
the thermal exchange between the control fluid and the vane carrier can be controlled in order to optimize the heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
a feeding conduit configured to feed the control fluid into the clearance control cavity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Vane carrier for a gas turbine plant extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and comprising at least one clearance control cavity (29) which extends transversally with respect to the longitudinal axis (A).