COMBUSTOR LINER FLEXIBLE SUPPORT AND METHOD

Abstract

A combustor for a gas turbine is described. The combustor comprises a combustor liner, a metering plate attached to an end of the combustor liner and a combustor casing at least partially surrounding the combustor liner. An end cover is further connected to the combustor casing. The combustor liner is connected to the combustor casing by means of a retainer arranged between the metering plate and the end cover, and attached to the metering plate and to the end cover.

Claims

1. A combustor for a gas turbine comprising: a combustor liner having a first end, a second end and a side wall extending between the first end and the second end; a metering plate attached to the first end of the combustor liner; a combustor casing at least partially surrounding the combustor liner; an end cover connected to the combustor casing; and a retainer, connecting the combustor liner to the combustor casing, arranged between the metering plate and the end cover, and attached to the metering plate and to the end cover, the retainer comprising a first ring element constrained to the metering plate and a second ring element arranged between the first ring element and the end cover, and wherein a first elastic arrangement is located between the first ring element and the second ring element, and wherein a second elastic arrangement is located between the second ring element and the end cover.

2. The combustor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first elastic arrangement and the second elastic arrangement is pre-loaded and provides a frictional damping action.

3. The combustor of claim 1, wherein the second elastic arrangement is in surface contact with the end cover.

4. The combustor of claim 1, wherein the second ring element is provided with resiliently deformable and radially projecting members, in surface contact with the end cover.

5. The combustor of claim 1, wherein the metering plate is provided with a plurality of metering holes extending therethrough, and wherein the first ring element is attached to a surface portion of the metering plate devoid of metering holes.

6. A method for mounting a combustor liner in a combustor casing of a gas turbine combustor, the method comprising: providing a combustor liner and a metering plate attachable to the combustor liner; providing a combustor casing; providing an end cover attachable to an end of the combustor casing; attaching a metering plate of a combustor liner to a retainer, wherein the retainer comprises a first ring element constrained to the metering plate and a second ring element arranged between the first ring element and the end cover, a first elastic arrangement located between the first ring element and the second ring element, a second elastic arrangement in surface contact with the end cover; attaching the retainer to the end cover and to the metering plate; introducing the combustor liner in the combustor casing; and connecting the end cover to the combustor casing, such that the combustor liner is supported approximately concentrically in the combustor casing.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising resiliently pre-loading at least one of the first elastic arrangement and the second elastic arrangement.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising pre-loading the elastic arrangement against the end cover, thus generating a frictional force therebetween.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising providing a vibration-damping arrangement between the metering plate and the end cover.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising locating the elastic arrangement at least between the second ring element and the end cover.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] A more complete appreciation of the disclosed embodiments of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic sectional view of a combustor of a gas turbine according to the current art;

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic sectional view illustrating the main functional elements of a combustor and relevant elastic liner mounting system according to the subject matter disclosed herein;

[0025] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are schematic representations of modified embodiments of the elastic mounting system for connecting the combustor liner to the combustor casing;

[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a combustor according to the subject matter disclosed herein;

[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of the main components of the combustor according to FIG. 6;

[0028] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate axonometric views of the retainer of FIGS. 6 and 7;

[0029] FIG. 10 illustrates an enlargement of FIG. 6;

[0030] FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 illustrate further embodiments of the retainer according to the present disclosure;

[0031] FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate sectional views of further embodiments of a retainer according to the present disclosure;

[0032] FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate axonometric views of elastic members of a retainer according to FIG. 16;

[0033] FIG. 19 illustrates a sectional view of a further embodiment of a combustor according to the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 20 illustrates an axonometric view of the retainer of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. Additionally, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0036] Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” means that the particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment(s). Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic sectional view of a combustor according to the subject matter disclosed herein. The section is taken along a plane containing the axis of the combustor chamber. The combustor 1 comprises a combustor liner 3 and a combustor casing 5. The combustor liner 3 is at least partially supported within the combustor casing 5. The combustor liner 3 and the combustor casing 5 are substantially concentric to one another. The combustor casing 5 can be comprised of a flow sleeve, not shown in detail.

[0038] The combustor liner 3 has a first end 3A, a second end 3B and a side wall 3C extending therebetween. A metering plate 7 is arranged at the first end 3A of the combustor liner 3. A transition piece 9 extends from the second end 3B of the combustor liner 3 towards a power turbine, not shown, to deliver compressed combustion gases thereto.

[0039] A combustion chamber 11 is defined in the interior of the combustor liner 3. Air provided by a compressor, not shown, is delivered to the combustion chamber 11 through an annular flow passage 13 formed between the combustor liner 3 and the combustor casing 5. Air enters the combustion chamber 11 through metering apertures or holes 7A provided in the metering plate 7 (see FIG. 7) and through auxiliary holes 3D provided in the side wall 3C.

[0040] A fuel nozzle 15 provides gaseous or liquid fuel to a burner 17. The fuel is mixed with the combustion air entering the combustion chamber 11 through the metering apertures or holes 7A of the metering plate 7. The air/fuel mixture burns generating hot, compressed combustion gas, which flows into the power turbine through the transition piece 9 and expands in the power turbine, which converts part of the pressure and thermal energy of the combustion gas into mechanical power available on the turbine shaft.

[0041] A retainer 21 is attached to the metering plate 7 and connects the combustor liner 3 to an end cover 18. The end cover 18 is in turn attached to a first end 5A of the combustor casing 5. More specifically, the retainer 21 is arranged between the metering plate 7 and the end cover 18. The end plate 18 closes the combustor casing 5 at the end opposite the power turbine wheel, not shown, i.e. opposite the transition piece 9.

[0042] According to some embodiments the retainer 21 is attached to the metering plate in surface portion(s) thereof, which are devoid of metering holes, as will be detailed later on.

[0043] The retainer 21 can provide a resilient connection between the metering plate 7 and the end cover 18, such as to provide a flexible support of the combustor liner 3 on the end cover 18, which is in turn connected to the combustor casing 5. The retainer 21 can be shaped in several different ways, and some possible embodiments thereof will be described in greater detail later on.

[0044] In some embodiments, the retainer 21 comprises a first ring element 23 and a second ring element 25. The first ring element 23 is constrained to the metering plate 7 and the second ring element 25 is connected to the first ring element 23 and to the end cover 18.

[0045] In some embodiments, the metering plate 7 and the retainer 21 are connected to one another in an irreversible manner, e.g. the first ring element 23 can be soldered, brazed or welded to the surface of the metering plate 7 facing the end cover 18. In other embodiments, connection between the metering plate 7 and the retainer 21 can be obtained by disconnectable members, e.g. bolts and/or screws. In some embodiments, the retainer 21 can be riveted to metering plate 7.

[0046] The retainer 21 can be designed to mount the combustion liner 3 in a centered position with respect to the fuel nozzle of burner 17, the end cover 18 as well as the combustor casing 5. Additionally, the retainer 21 can have a predetermined axial and radial stiffness to obtain a desired natural frequency of the combustor assembly, which is distant from, vibratory forcing function frequencies thus avoiding a resonance condition. Relative motion due to vibration at the various sliding interfaces in the combustor assembly is thus reduced.

[0047] To provide flexibility to the combustor liner support, the retainer 21 can be comprised of an elastic arrangement, which is positioned intermediate the metering plate 7 and the end cover 18.

[0048] In the schematic representation of FIG. 2, the elastic arrangement is schematically represented as a first set of connector elements 27 in the form of resilient members 27, located between the first ring 23 and the second ring 25, and a second set of connector elements in the form of resilient members 29 located between the second ring element 25 and the end cover 18. The resilient members 27 and/or 29 can be pre-loaded against the end cover 8 to provide frictional damping effect, as will be disclosed in greater detail here below, reference being made to some embodiments.

[0049] As will become clear from the following description of exemplary embodiments, in some configurations only the first set of resilient members 27, or only the second set of resilient members 29 can be provided. In yet further embodiments, rigid connector elements 27 and/or 29 can be used, rather than resilient members, as will be described later on.

[0050] For instance, FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a configuration wherein the resilient members 27 of the first set of resilient members are replaced by rigid connectors 28 and the elastic arrangement only comprises the second set of resilient members 29 between the second ring element 25 and the end cover 18. The rigid connectors 28 can have any suitable shape, resulting in easy manufacturing and assembling.

[0051] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a configuration, wherein the resilient members 29 of the second set of resilient members are omitted, the second ring element 25 is rigidly connected to the end cover 18 and resilient members 27 of the first set of resilient members are provided only between the first ring element 23 and the second ring element 25.

[0052] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a configuration, wherein resilient members 27 are provided between the first ring element 23 and the second ring element 25, but not between the second ring element 25 and the end cover 18. Rigid connectors 32 are provided for connecting the second ring element 25 and the end cover 18.

[0053] FIGS. 6 to 10 illustrate details of exemplary embodiments of the combustor including first and second set of resilient members 27 and 29, respectively between the first and second ring elements 23, 25 and between the second ring element 25 and the end cover 18.

[0054] As best shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10, the retainer 21 is comprised of a first ring element 23, which can be directly constrained to the metering plate 7 of the combustor liner 3. The first ring element 23 can contact the external surface of the metering plate 7, in an area thereof which is devoid of metering apertures or holes 7A.

[0055] The first ring element 23 can be connected to the second ring element 25 by means of a plurality of first resilient members 27, forming part of the elastic arrangement. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9, the first set of resilient members can comprise three resilient members 27, which can be arranged according to a constant angular pitch, i.e. at about 120° one from the other. In other embodiments the first set of resilient members 27 can comprise a different number of resilient members, e.g. four, five, six or more such resilient members 27 can be in an embodiment distributed at a constant angular pitch around the axis of the liner 3.

[0056] The first resilient members 27 can be in the form of curved, flexurally deformable connectors, having a first end constrained to the first ring element 23 and a second end constrained to the second ring element 25. The resilient members 27 can be manufactured as separate components and subsequently welded, soldered or brazed at opposite ends thereof to the first ring element 23 and second ring element 25. In other embodiments, the resilient members 27 can be manufactured integrally with the first ring element 23 or with the second ring element 25 and soldered, welded or brazed to the second ring element or the first ring element. In yet further embodiments, the resilient members 27 can be integrally manufactured with the first ring element 23 and second ring element 25.

[0057] Providing the resilient members 27 as separate components which are subsequently attached to the ring elements 23, 25 allows more freedom in the selection of materials and/or cross-sectional shapes of the components 23, 25, 27, such that optimal mechanical resistance and resilient characteristics can be imparted to the various parts of the retainer 21, as needed.

[0058] The second ring element 25 can be connected to the end cover 18 for instance in a manner which allows demounting thereof, i.e. in a reversible manner. According to some embodiments, the second ring element 25 can be connected to the end cover 18 by means of bolts 41 and nuts 41A. The bolts 41 can extend through holes 25A provided in the second ring element 25 and can be locked on the end cover 18 by means of nuts 41A. According to other embodiments, the bolts 41 can be welded to the second ring element 25.

[0059] Stably connecting the bolts 41 to the second ring element 25, e.g. by welding, makes assembling of the combustor liner 3 into the combustor casing 5 easier. Indeed, the retainer 21 including the bolts 41 that extend backwards from the second ring element 25 and the metering plate 7 can be mounted on the combustor liner 3. The latter is then introduced into the combustor casing 5 and the bolts 41 can be introduced through the holes 18A of the end cover 18. The sub-assembly formed by the retainer 21 and the combustor liner 3 connected thereto is finally screwed against the inner surface of the end cover 18 by means of nuts 41A.

[0060] According to some embodiments, the combustor liner 3 can be provided with two or more liner stops 4 (see FIG. 6) arranged on the outer surface thereof and co-acting with casing stops 6, mounted on the inner surface of the combustor casing 5. These stops can be used as temporary retainer means for the combustor liner 3 in the combustor casing 5, e.g. in order to make mounting of cross-fire tubes easier. In FIG. 6 a portion of a cross-fire tube 8 is schematically shown, extending from the combustor liner 3 through the combustor casing 5 towards an adjacent combustor (not shown). The combustor liner 3 can be provisionally mounted inside combustor casing 5 and supported therein by means of the stops 4 and 6, allowing manual assembling of the cross-fire tubes 8. This operation is made easier by the retainer 21 being located behind the metering plate 7 and leaving free access to the annular space between the combustor casing 5 and the combustor liner 3. Once the cross-fire tubes 8 have been mounted, the end cover 18 can be assembled.

[0061] An annular sealing gasket 43 can be provided between the nuts 41A and the outer surface of the end cover 18, to prevent air leakages through bolt holes 18A in the end cover 18. A housing around bolts 41 and nuts 41A can be arranged, in combination to the sealing gasket or as an alternative thereto, on the outer surface of end cover 18, to reduce or prevent air leakage.

[0062] In some embodiments the second set of resilient members 29 can be comprised of resilient leaves 29 radially projecting from the second ring element 25. The resilient leaves 29 can be inclined from the second ring element 25 towards the end cover 18 and can rest with distal ends thereof against the inner surface of the end cover 18. The resilient leaves 29 can be formed monolithically with the second annular element 25. According to other embodiments, the resilient leaves 29 can be welded or soldered to the second ring element 25.

[0063] When the retainer 21 is constrained to the end cover 18, by screwing the nuts 41A on bolts 41 the second ring element 25 is moved towards the end cover 18 and the resilient leaves 29 are pressed against the inner surface of the end cover 18, causing a flexural deformation of the resilient leaves 29. By screwing the bolt-nut connections 41, 4A the resilient leaves 29 can thus be elastically pre-loaded. Friction is thus generated at the area of contact between the resilient leaves 29 and the inner surface of the end cover 18. Movement of the retainer 21 with respect to the end cover 18 caused e.g. by vibration of the combustor will generate friction losses in the area of contact. A frictional damping of the vibratory motion of the combustor liner is thus obtained.

[0064] A flexible connection of the combustor liner 3 to the end cover 18 is thus obtained, which helps in having a desired dynamic response of the combustor when excited by a forces generated e.g. by pressure waves due to the combustion process. This reduces vibration and wear. A frictional damping effect contributes to dissipate energy and further reduce vibration and displacements between components of the combustor assembly. Several modifications and improvements can be included in the above described embodiment. For instance, resilient members 27 of different shapes can be used, e.g. in order to optimize the flexural resilient deformability thereof. FIG. 11 illustrates a retainer 21 comprised of a first ring element 23 and a second ring element 25 which are mutually connected by means of resilient members 27 having a wavy form, which improves the flexural deformability of the resilient members 27. Resilient leaves 29 can be integrally formed with the second ring element 25 and/or first ring element 23, or soldered thereto.

[0065] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate further embodiments of retainer 21, with differently shaped resilient members 27.

[0066] The resilient members 27 of FIGS. 7 to 13 can have a cross-section designed to improve the aerodynamic behavior thereof. For instance, the cross-section of the resilient members 27 can be such as to reduce air friction and head losses in the air flow entering the combustion chamber 11 through the apertures or holes 7A.

[0067] FIG. 14 illustrates a further embodiment of a retainer 21 according to the present disclosure. The retainer 21 of FIG. 14 comprises a first ring element 23, intended for connection to the metering plate 7 of the combustor liner 3, and a second ring element 25, intended for connection to the end cover 18. A first set of resilient members 27 connect the first and second ring elements 23, 25 to one another. In this embodiment the resilient members 27 are shaped as springs each comprised of a substantially loop-shaped body made of a resiliently deformable metal sheet or the like. The second ring element 25 can be provided with flexurally deformable, radially projecting leaves similar to leaves 29 of FIGS. 9-13 (not shown in FIG. 14).

[0068] FIG. 15 illustrates a partial sectional view of a further embodiment of a combustor according to the subject matter disclosed herein. The same reference numbers designate the same or corresponding parts as in FIGS. 6 to 10. In the embodiment of FIG. 15 the first ring element 23 is connected, e.g. welded, soldered, bolted or screwed to the metering plate 7, while the first and second ring elements 23, 25 are connected to one another by connector elements 27. These latter can be rigid or flexurally deformable to form a first set of resilient members. The second ring element 25 is constrained to the end cover 18 by means of a plurality of nut and bolt arrangements 41A, 41. In order to impart a resilient characteristic to the connection between the metering plate 7 and the end cover 18, one or more Belleville washers or springs 47 are arranged around each bolt 41. The pack of Belleville springs 47 arranged around each bolt 41 form a respective one of a set of resilient members. Upon connection of the retainer 21 and relevant combustor liner 3 to the end cover 18, the resilient members formed by the Belleville springs 47 are pre-loaded by screwing nuts 41A on bolts 41. Friction contact is established between the pre-loaded Belleville washers 47 and the inner surface of the end cover 18, resulting in a frictional damping of vibrations of the combustor components.

[0069] FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a further embodiment of the retainer 21 connecting the combustor liner 3 to the end cover 18. The same reference numbers indicate the same parts as in the previously described figures. In FIGS. 16 and 17 the first ring element 23 is welded or otherwise connected to the metering plate 7 of the combustor liner 7 on one side and to the second ring element 25 on the other. Connection between first and second ring elements 25 can be provided by a first set of resilient members 27, or by rigid connector elements, in the form of struts or the like.

[0070] The second ring element 25 is constrained to the end cover 18 by means of a plurality of bolts 41 and relevant nuts 41A. As in the previously described embodiments, the bolts 41 can be introduced in through holes formed in the second ring element 25, or else can be soldered or welded to the second ring element 25. Elasticity between the retainer 21 and the end cover 18 is provided by a resilient member 51 which can have a generally annular shape and an approximately V-shaped cross-section (see FIG. 16). The resilient annular member 51 can have a plurality of through holes 51A for insertion of bolts 41. The annular member 51 can further be comprised of a first, external conical portion 51B and a second, internal conical portion 51C. In some embodiments the resilient annular member 51 can be made of a resilient metal sheet. According to some embodiments, in order to make the annular member 51 more elastically yieldable, a plurality of notches or slots 51D, 51E can be provided along the outer edge and/or the inner edge thereof.

[0071] The annular member 51 is located between the second ring element 25 and the inner surface of the end cover 18. The bolts 41 extend through holes 51A of the resilient annular member 51 and connect retainer 21 and end cover 18 to one another. By screwing the nuts 41A on bolts 41, the resilient annular member 51 can be resiliently pre-loaded, this resulting in friction between the annular member 51 and the inner surface of end cover 18, for frictional damping purposes.

[0072] In some modified embodiments the resilient annular member 51 can be devoid of slots or notches 51D, 51E, as shown in FIG. 18.

[0073] FIG. 19 illustrate a schematic sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a combustor according to the present disclosure. The same reference numbers indicate same or equivalent components as shown in FIGS. 2-18. FIG. 20 illustrate an axonometric view of the retainer 21 of FIG. 19. In this embodiment the retainer 21 is formed as a single integral component, e.g. manufactured by drawing and cutting a metal sheet. The retainer 21 is provided with a first ring element 23 configured for connection to the metering plate 7 of the combustor liner 3. The second ring element 25 is further formed by retainer 21, for connection to the end cover 18. The second ring element 25 can be provided with outwardly projecting, in an embodiment, resilient leaves 29. In assembled condition the leaves 29 are pre-loaded against the end cover 18, providing a frictional damping effect. The first ring element 23 and the second ring element 25 are connected to one another by an apertured wall 30 forming a connector arrangement between the two ring elements 23, 25. Apertures 31 are provided in wall 30, wherethrough compressed air flows towards the metering holes 7A.

[0074] The retainer 21 arranged between the metering plate 7 and the end cover 18, provides a better accessibility to the annular volume defined between combustor casing 5 and combustor liner 3, such that e.g. mounting of the cross-fire tubes 8 easier. Moreover, the configuration and position of the retainer 21 improves the air flow towards and through the metering plate 7 and relevant metering holes 7A, with simple shapes of the retainer. The resiliency of the retainer and the frictional damping effect provided by the resilient elements contribute to reduction of vibration and mutual displacement between combustor components at the contacting interfaces therebetween, thus contributing to reduction of wear.

[0075] While the disclosed embodiments of the subject matter described herein have been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with several exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications, changes, and omissions are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings, the principles and concepts set forth herein, and advantages of the subject matter recited in the appended claims. Hence, the proper scope of the disclosed innovations should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications, changes, and omissions. In addition, the order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments.

[0076] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the preferred embodiments, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.