Turboengine Vane Carrier Bridging Member Thermal Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turboengines face performance degradation due to differential thermal expansion between the rotor cover and turbine housing, leading to axial and radial displacements of guide vanes, which cause fluid leakages and performance losses during non-stationary operations, especially in power plants with frequent load changes.

Innovation Solution

A vane carrier unit with radially and axially fixed support assemblies for guide vanes, where the inner and outer wall structures are connected by a bridging member to prevent floating or displacement, reducing residual gaps and relative displacements, and allowing for differential thermal expansion, thereby enhancing sealing and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the guide vane member is supported with floating support arrangements to accommodate thermal expansion, then the support structure can adapt to temperature changes, but axial and radial displacements occur causing fluid leakages and performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal expansion accommodationVSAvoidsealing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A bridging member is introduced as an intermediary element connecting the inner and outer wall structures. This bridging member acts as a mediator that transmits and coordinates the thermal expansion movements, ensuring that both wall structures expand in a synchronized manner. By introducing this intermediary component, the patent resolves the contradiction by providing a mechanism that maintains sealing performance while accommodating thermal expansion through coordinated movement of all components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the inner wall structure, outer wall structure, and bridging member into an integrated assembly that moves together as a unified structure. The support assemblies for the guide vane member are integrated with both wall structures, creating a merged system where thermal expansion is accommodated collectively rather than independently. This merging eliminates relative displacements between components and maintains sealing performance during thermal transients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Speed

If the rotor cover follows the working fluid temperature change faster than the turbine housing, then the rotor cover responds quickly to load changes, but differential thermal expansion causes axial displacement and tilting of vane members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature response speedVSAvoidvane member alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal response parameter of the turbine housing by introducing the bridging member connection that couples it thermally and mechanically to the rotor cover. This modification allows the housing to follow the temperature changes more closely, reducing the differential thermal expansion. The support assemblies are designed to accommodate the modified thermal expansion pattern, maintaining vane member alignment during rapid load changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If larger gaps are dimensioned to accommodate differential thermal expansion, then the gaps can handle thermal mismatches, but fluid leakages increase and performance degradation occurs during steady state operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal mismatch toleranceVSAvoidfluid leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static gap dimensions to dynamic gap management through the bridging member connection. The gaps between components are designed to dynamically adjust their dimensions in response to thermal expansion, maintaining optimal clearance during both transient and steady state operations. The bridging member ensures coordinated movement that keeps gaps within acceptable ranges under all operating conditions, eliminating the need for oversized gaps.

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 fluid leakages and performance penalties by maintaining precise alignment and thermal matching of guide vane members, improving operational efficiency and reducing cumulative performance losses in turboengines experiencing rapid load changes.

Implementation Method 1

differential thermal expansion of the housing and the rotor cover need to be considered

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS10883375B2Turboengine, and vane carrier unit for turboengine

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG

AI summary

A turboengine as disclosed includes an outer wall structure and an inner wall structure, wherein the inner wall structure is provided at a radially inner position with respect to the outer wall structure, and each of the wall structures has a surface, the surfaces being arranged facing each other in the radial direction. At least one guide vane member includes at least one airfoil, a radially inner end and a radially outer end. The inner wall structure and the outer wall structure are jointly provided as a vane carrier unit, wherein the inner wall structure and the outer wall structure are fixedly connected to each other by at least one bridging member extending between the inner wall structure and the outer wall structure.