U.S. patent application number 13/753978 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-31 for system for reducing combustion noise and improving cooling.
This patent application is currently assigned to Alstom Technology Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.. Invention is credited to Tim Hui, David E. Schlamp, Peter John Stuttaford, Daniel J. Sullivan.
Application Number | 20140208756 13/753978 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50000108 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140208756 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sullivan; Daniel J. ; et
al. |
July 31, 2014 |
System For Reducing Combustion Noise And Improving Cooling
Abstract
A novel and improved system for cooling and reducing combustion
noise in a gas turbine combustor is disclosed. The system includes
a flow sleeve for a gas turbine combustor comprising a tubular
portion and a conical portion, with a plurality of flow
straighteners extending radially inward and between the tubular and
conical portions and a plurality of rows of cooling holes extending
about the flow sleeve, and an aft ring secured to the outlet end of
the conical portion, where the aft ring includes an overlapping
piston ring that is able to expand or contract in diameter. A
combustion liner extends through the flow sleeve and engages an
inlet of a transition duct while the piston ring of the flow sleeve
also engages the transition duct to form a seal.
Inventors: |
Sullivan; Daniel J.;
(Jupiter, FL) ; Stuttaford; Peter John; (Jupiter,
FL) ; Hui; Tim; (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) ;
Schlamp; David E.; (Stuart, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD. |
Baden |
|
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
Alstom Technology Ltd.
Baden
CH
|
Family ID: |
50000108 |
Appl. No.: |
13/753978 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
60/725 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23R 3/002 20130101;
F23R 3/04 20130101; F01D 9/023 20130101; F23R 2900/03043
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
60/725 |
International
Class: |
F23R 3/00 20060101
F23R003/00 |
Claims
1. A flow sleeve for a gas turbine combustor comprising: a tubular
portion having a tubular inlet and a tubular outlet; a conical
portion having a conical inlet and a conical outlet, the conical
inlet secured to the tubular outlet of the tubular portion; a
plurality of flow straighteners extending radially inward from the
tubular portion and the conical portion; a plurality of rows of
cooling holes, each row of cooling holes extending about the flow
sleeve; an aft ring having a receptacle, the aft ring secured to
the conical outlet; and a piston ring positioned within the
receptacle, the piston ring capable of expanding or contracting in
diameter.
2. The flow sleeve of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
plurality of rows of cooling holes is located in the tubular
portion.
3. The flow sleeve of claim 2, wherein at least one of the
plurality of rows of cooling holes is located in the conical
portion.
4. The flow sleeve of claim 1, wherein the cooling holes impart a
jet of cooling air onto a combustion liner located within the flow
sleeve.
5. The flow sleeve of claim 1, wherein the piston ring is able to
slide axially and radially within the receptacle.
6. The flow sleeve of claim 1, wherein the plurality of rows of
holes are generally perpendicular to the tubular portion and the
conical portion.
7. The flow sleeve of claim 1, wherein the cooling holes range in
diameter from approximately 0.5 inches to approximately 1.75
inches.
8. The flow sleeve of claim 7, wherein the conical portion is
oriented at an angle between 10 degrees and 20 degrees relative to
the tubular portion.
9. A cooling system for a gas turbine comprising: a flow sleeve
comprising: a tubular portion having a tubular inlet and a tubular
outlet; a conical portion having a conical inlet and a conical
outlet, the conical portion connected to the tubular portion at the
tubular outlet; a plurality of rows of cooling holes, each row
extending about the perimeter of the flow sleeve; an aft ring
located about the conical outlet and having a receptacle; and a
piston ring positioned within the receptacle; a combustion liner
comprising a generally tubular body and extending through the flow
sleeve thereby forming a cooling passage therebetween, the
combustion liner having a liner inlet and a liner outlet; and a
transition duct coupled to the liner outlet, the transition duct
receiving hot combustion gases from the combustion liner, the
transition duct having an outer wall transitioning from a generally
circular duct inlet to a generally rectangular duct outlet; wherein
the piston ring of the flow sleeve creates a seal between the flow
sleeve and the transition duct, thereby preventing compressor air
from entering a passageway formed between the flow sleeve and the
combustion liner, and instead directing the compressed air to enter
the passageway through the plurality of rows of cooling holes.
10. The cooling system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the
plurality of rows of cooling holes is located in the tubular
portion of the flow sleeve.
11. The cooling system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the
plurality of rows of cooling holes is located in the conical
portion of the flow sleeve.
12. The cooling system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of rows of
cooling holes are oriented generally perpendicular to a surface of
the tubular portion.
13. The cooling system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of rows of
cooling holes are oriented at an angle relative to a surface of the
tubular portion.
14. The cooling system of claim 9, wherein the conical portion is
oriented at an angle between 10 degrees and 20 degrees relative to
the tubular portion.
15. A sealing device for an aft end of a gas turbine combustor
comprising: an axially-extending sleeve having a conical portion;
an aft ring with a U-shaped receptacle at an outlet end of the
conical portion; and a piston ring located in the U-shaped
receptacle, the piston ring capable of expanding or contracting in
diameter upon placement of an inlet end of a transition duct into
the outlet end of the conical portion; wherein a seal is formed
between the piston ring and the transition duct, thereby preventing
air from entering a combustor through a gap between the sleeve and
the transition duct.
16. The sealing device of claim 15, wherein the U-shaped receptacle
has a width greater than a width of the piston ring.
17. The sealing device of claim 15, wherein the U-shaped receptacle
has a diameter greater than a diameter of the piston ring.
18. The sealing device of claim 15, wherein the piston ring has a
generally rectangular cross section.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] None.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a system for
reducing combustion noise and directing cooling air into a gas
turbine combustor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In a typical gas turbine engine used in a powerplant
application, a plurality of combustors are arranged in an annular
array about a centerline of the engine. The combustors receive
pressurized air from the engine's compressor, add fuel to create a
fuel/air mixture, and ignite the mixture to produce hot combustion
gases. The hot combustion gases exit the combustors and enter a
turbine, where the expanding gases are utilized to drive a turbine,
which is in turn coupled through a shaft to the compressor. The
engine shaft is also coupled to a shaft that drives a generator for
generating electricity.
[0004] The combustors typically include at least a pressurized case
and a combustion liner contained within the case. The fuel, which
is supplied by a plurality of fuel nozzles, mixes with air and
reacts (i.e. ignites) within the combustion liner. In order to
actively cool the combustion liner, the compressed air that is used
for combustion is first directed through the pressurized case and
along the combustion liner. The air then mixes with fuel and reacts
in the combustion liner.
[0005] Prior art configurations of combustors include a flow sleeve
extending through the case and used to support a combustion liner
in place within the combustor. The flow sleeve often includes a
series of holes through which compressed air passes. Air passing
through these holes is intended to impinge on the combustion liner
wall. However, in prior gas turbine combustor configurations, air
streams have been known to be ineffective in maintaining active
cooling through impingement, thereby leading to premature
degradation and damage of the combustion liner.
SUMMARY
[0006] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a novel and improved system for cooling and reducing combustion
noise in a gas turbine combustor. An embodiment of the present
invention includes a flow sleeve for a gas turbine combustor
comprising a tubular portion and a conical portion, with a
plurality of flow straighteners extending radially inward and
between the tubular and conical portions. The flow sleeve also
includes a plurality of rows of cooling holes extending about the
flow sleeve and an aft ring secured to the outlet end of the
conical portion, where the aft ring includes a receptacle
containing a piston ring that is able to expand or contract in
diameter.
[0007] In another embodiment of the present invention, a cooling
system for a gas turbine combustor is disclosed comprising a flow
sleeve, a combustion liner, and a transition duct. The flow sleeve
includes a tubular portion, a conical portion, a plurality of rows
of cooling holes, and an aft ring having a receptacle and a piston
ring contained within the receptacle. A cooling passage is formed
between the combustion liner and the flow sleeve and directs air
received from the flow sleeve to the inlet of the combustor. The
transition duct is coupled to the combustion liner at the liner
outlet. A piston ring is positioned in the aft end of the flow
sleeve to create a seal between the flow sleeve such that
compressor air is only permitted to enter the passageway through
holes in the flow sleeve.
[0008] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a
sealing device for an aft end of a gas turbine combustor, the
device comprising a sleeve having a conical portion and an aft ring
with a receptacle. A piston ring is located in the receptacle,
where the piston ring is able to expand or contract in order to
form a seal with the transition duct.
[0009] Additional advantages and features of the present invention
will be set forth in part in a description which follows, and in
part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
examination of the following, or may be learned from practice of
the invention. The instant invention will now be described with
particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention is described in detail below with
reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross section view of a portion of a gas turbine
combustor in accordance with the prior art;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a detailed cross section view of a portion of the
gas turbine combustor of FIG. 1 in accordance with the prior
art;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross section view of a portion of a gas turbine
combustor in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a detailed cross section view of a portion of the
gas turbine combustor of FIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention; and,
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross section view of a flow sleeve depicted in
FIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The subject matter of the present invention is described
with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However,
the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this
patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed
subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include
different components, combinations of components, steps, or
combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this
document, in conjunction with other present or future
technologies.
[0017] The present invention is directed generally towards a system
for reducing combustion noise controlling the flow of cooling air
to a combustion liner. Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a
portion of a gas turbine combustor according to the prior art is
shown in cross section. A flow sleeve 100 includes a combustion
liner 102 contained therein. The combustion liner 102 engages a
double wall transition duct 104 for purposes of passing the flow of
hot combustion gases from the combustion liner 102 to an inlet of a
turbine (not shown). In the prior art configuration, there existed
a piston ring in an annular gap 106 at the aft end of the flow
sleeve 100 and the inlet of transition duct 104. The piston ring
serves to minimize the flow of air through the gap 106 created by
the flow sleeve 100 and transition duct 104. However, the amount of
cooling air passing through the annular gap 106 is not minimized
due to a large opening in the piston ring that is created at
operating temperatures, thereby affecting the even distribution of
air flow to the head end of the combustor.
[0018] The present invention can be better understood when
considering FIGS. 3-5. Referring initially to FIG. 3, a cooling
system for a gas turbine combustor 200 is disclosed providing
improved control of the flow of cooling air thereby also providing
improved control of combustion noise due to variations in rates of
air provided for mixing with fuel and resulting combustion.
[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, the gas turbine combustor 200
comprises a flow sleeve 202 having a tubular portion 204 with a
tubular outlet 204A and a tubular inlet 204B. The flow sleeve 202
also includes a conical portion 206 that is connected to the
tubular portion 204 at the tubular inlet 204B, where the conical
portion has a conical outlet 206A and a conical inlet 206B. The
flow sleeve 202 also includes a plurality of rows of cooling holes
208, where each row 208 extends about a perimeter of the flow
sleeve 202. An aft ring 210 is located about the conical inlet 206B
and has a receptacle 212 for receiving a piston ring 214. The
piston ring 214 incorporates a split-ring design so as to be
capable of expanding or contracting in diameter depending on the
size of the mating hardware. As such, the piston ring 214 provides
an overlap area (not shown) so as to maintain a flow blockage under
all conditions. In an embodiment of the present invention, the flow
sleeve 202 also includes a plurality of flow straighteners 216, as
depicted in FIG. 3. The flow straighteners 216 are designed to
channel the flow of cooling air from cooling holes 208 axially
thereby reducing swirling characteristics of the cooling air
flow.
[0020] A combustion liner 220 is located within the flow sleeve 202
and extends through the axial length of the flow sleeve 202. The
combustion liner 220 is generally tubular in shape and, as a result
of its location within the combustion system, creates a cooling
passage 222 between the combustion liner 220 and flow sleeve 202.
It is the air passing through passageway 222 that flow
straighteners 216 attempt to straighten so as to achieve a more
uniform flow path.
[0021] The present invention also includes a transition duct 230
which is coupled to the outlet of the combustion liner 220 for
receiving the hot combustion gases from the combustion liner 220.
Due to the geometric requirements of the combustion liner 220
compared to the inlet region of a turbine, the transition duct 230
transitions from a generally circular cross section at the duct
inlet to a generally rectangular cross section at the duct
outlet.
[0022] As discussed above, the flow sleeve 202 includes a piston
ring 214. The piston ring 214 creates a seal between the flow
sleeve 202 and the transition duct 230. Because the piston ring is
expandable, it has the ability to adjust to various tolerance
conditions and differential thermal growth between the flow sleeve
202, which is relatively cold, and the transition duct 230, which
is relatively hot, due to the combustion gases contained within. By
maintaining a constant contact between the piston ring 214 and the
transition duct 230, a seal is formed that prevents compressor air
from entering the passageway 222 from the aft end of the flow
sleeve 202. Instead all of the compressed air is directed towards
the conical and tubular portions of the flow sleeve 202 so that it
may enter through the plurality of rows of cooling holes 208.
[0023] As discussed above, the flow sleeve 202 includes a plurality
of cooling holes 208 arranged in multiple rows. As shown in FIGS. 3
and 4, at least one of the rows of cooling holes 208 is located in
the tubular portion 204 and at least one of the rows is located in
the conical portion 206. In an embodiment, the cooling holes 208
are oriented generally perpendicular with respect to the tubular
portion 204 and conical portion 206. In an alternate embodiment,
the cooling holes 208 can be oriented at a surface angle a relative
to both the tubular portion 204. The surface angle a can vary
depending on the flow sleeve configuration, but is preferable
between approximately 10 and 20 degrees. The cooling holes 208 can
also vary in diameter between 0.5 inches and 1.75 inches. The hole
sizes of the flow sleeve are specifically sized based on their
distance to the combustion liner. This enables a more consistent
flow around the flow sleeve and liner annulus, which leads to a
more even flow to the head end of the combustor. The hole size is
based generally on the ratio of the hole area to the flow area from
the hole to the combustion liner.
[0024] In an embodiment of the invention, the flow sleeve 202 has
four rows of holes 208 with each row having 24 holes. The aft-most
row of holes 208A, closest to the aft ring 210, have a diameter of
approximately 0.95 inches, with the adjacent row moving forward,
indicated as 208B, have a diameter of approximately 1.5 inches,
while the next row 208C have a diameter of approximately 1.575
inches, and the forward-most row of holes 208D having a diameter of
approximately 0.65 inches. As a result of the cooling holes 208
being placed in the flow sleeve 202, the cooling holes 208 impart a
jet of cool air onto the combustion liner 220 that is located in
the flow sleeve 202. The jet impinges air on the liner which cools
the liner wall and then the air travels upstream towards an inlet
to the combustion liner 220.
[0025] The present invention has been described in relation to
particular embodiments, which are intended in all respects to be
illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the
present invention pertains without departing from its scope.
[0026] From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is
one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth
above, together with other advantages which are obvious and
inherent to the system and method. It will be understood that
certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be
employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations.
This is contemplated by and within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *