Gas Turbine Vane Shroud Edge Cooling Sub-Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cooling technologies for gas turbine stator vanes are inefficient in utilizing cooling air, particularly when higher pressure and lower temperature air is used, leading to limited effectiveness in cooling the first stage stator vane.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a shroud design for the stator vane with a shroud edge that includes multiple sub-passages for cooling air, allowing for reduced airflow in each sub-passage, decreased cross-sectional area, and shorter passage lengths, which enhances cooling efficiency and reduces pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling air with higher pressure and lower temperature is supplied to the first stage stator vane, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but the cooling air may be re-used for cooling other elements or components, limiting efficiency of use
Solution Approach 1:
The shroud edge passage is divided into three or more sub-passages by multiple cooling air inlets and outlets, allowing the cooling air to be distributed to different locations (suction-side and pressure-side shroud edges) simultaneously, preventing re-use and improving overall cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Different cooling air inlets and outlets are provided at specific locations (suction-side and pressure-side shroud edges) to provide localized cooling where needed most, optimizing the distribution of cooling air to avoid re-use
2Productivity
If the shroud edge passage cross-sectional area is reduced to improve cooling efficiency, then more space is available for enlargement of the shroud main body, but the passage becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the shroud edge passage into multiple sub-passages, the total cross-sectional area can be reduced while maintaining adequate flow capacity in each sub-passage, thereby freeing up space for the shroud main body
3Loss of energy
If the shroud edge passage is made shorter to decrease pressure loss, then cooling air efficiency is improved, but the passage geometry becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The shroud edge passage is segmented into multiple shorter sub-passages connected by cooling air inlets and outlets, reducing the overall passage length and minimizing pressure loss while maintaining effective cooling distribution
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
This design improves the efficiency of cooling air usage by reducing airflow in each sub-passage, allowing for a larger shroud main body with more space for necessary components, and minimizing pressure loss, thereby enhancing the cooling effectiveness of the stator vane.
Implementation Method 1
the cooling air flows along the pressure-side passage and the suction-side passage toward a trailing edge of the shroud, respectively, and then, is exhausted to a hot-gas passage
Implementation Method 2
the shroud edge passage is divided into three or more sub-passages by the plurality of cooling air inlets and the plurality of cooling air outlets
Data Source
AI summary
A shroud of a vane of a turbine is provided. The shroud comprises a shroud main body; and a shroud edge disposed on a circumference of the shroud main body to surround the shroud main body, the shroud edge comprising a shroud edge passage therein, the shroud edge passage is disposed along the circumference of the shroud main body. The shroud edge comprises a plurality of cooling air inlets configured to introduce a cooling air into the shroud edge passage from outside of the shroud edge, and a plurality of cooling air outlets configured to cause the cooling air to flow out of the shroud edge passage to the outside of the shroud edge. The shroud edge passage is divided into three or more sub-passages by the plurality of cooling air inlets and the plurality of cooling air outlets.