Industrial gas turbine exhaust system with modular struts and collars

摘要

An integrated single-piece exhaust system (SPEX) with modular construction that facilitates design changes for enhanced aerodynamics, structural integrity or serviceability. The SPEX defines splined or curved exhaust path surfaces, such as a series of cylindrical and frusto-conical sections that mimic curves. The constructed sections may include: (i) a tail cone assembly fabricated from conical sections that taper downstream to a reduced diameter; or (ii) an area-ruled cross section axially aligned with one or more rows of turbine struts; or both features. Modular inner and outer diameter inlet lips enhance transitional flow between the last row blades and the SPEX, as well as enhance structural integrity. Modular strut collars have large radius profiles between the SPEX annular inner diameter and outer diameter flow surfaces, for enhanced airflow and constant thickness walls for uniform heat transfer and thermal expansion. Scalloped mounting flanges enhance structural integrity and longevity.

主权项

1. An industrial gas turbine exhaust system, comprising:
an inner case; an outer case circumscribing the inner case in spaced relationship relative to a centerline defined by the exhaust system; a turbine exhaust path defined between the outer and inner cases; a plurality of struts interposed between the outer and inner cases that are tilted at an angle relative to a radius defined by the exhaust system centerline; and first and second strut collars respectively coupled to respective ends of each strut and its respective abutting outer or inner case, each respective collar outer surface having a constant fillet radius external profile on an acute angle side thereof, for smooth exhaust flow transition between its respective strut and abutting case surface, the fillet radius profile having a range of 15%-40% of strut maximum thickness, each strut collar having a cross section thickness varying by no more than 10% at any circumferential location.