NOZZLE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nozzle assembly (10) and a nozzle formed thereby in which first (12) and second body portions (14) are formed and connected together to form an enclosure (24), and one end of the enclosure (24) is connected to a flange assembly (16, 18).

Description: NOZZLE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME Background of the Invention This invention relates to a nozzle assembly and a method of manufacturing same, and, more particularly, to such an assembly and method in which the two portions of the nozzle are fabricated separately after which they are machined and welded together, with the resulting assembly being welded to a connecting flange. Turbomachines, such as compressors, steam generators, pumps, and the like, are provided with an outlet nozzle assembly consisting of a nozzle which is mounted directly to the casing of the turbomachine to direct fluid from the turbomachine. A mounting flange is often formed integrally with the nozzle to enable the assembly to be connected to a conduit. However, the method involved in fabricating such an assembly is time-consuming and expensive. Therefore what is needed is a nozzle assembly, and a method of manufacturing same, which is relatively quick, easy, and inexpensive to manufacture. Summary of the Invention According to be present invention, the nozzle assembly is formed by a first and second body portion that are connected together to form an enclosure, one end of which is connected to a flange assembly. A distinct advantage is gained by the method and nozzle assembly of the present invention since the nozzle assembly can be manufactured quickly and easily and is relatively inexpensive. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is an exploded isometric view of the nozzle assembly of the present invention which is manufactured according to the method of the present invention. Figure 2 is a view similar to figure 1 but depicting a manufacturing step according to the method of the present invention. Figure 3 is a view similar to figures 1 and 2, but depicting the nozzle assembly in its fully assembled condition. Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the nozzle assembly of figure 3 shown mounted between a turbomachine casing and a conduit. Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral 10 refers, in general to the nozzle assembly of the present invention which comprises two body portions 12 and 14 which are similar, but not identical to each other. An annular neck flange 16 is provided which has a frusto-conical mounting member 18 extending from one end thereof which has a chamfered distal end 18a. The mounting member 18 can be formed integrally with the flange 16 or it can be connected to the flange in any known manner. The flange 16 and the member 18 are coaxially disposed and together define a through bore. The body portions 12 and 14, the flange 16, and the mounting member 18 can either be formed by forging or by a plate material in a conventional matter. The body portion 12 is substantially U-shaped and has two parallel legs 12a and 12b the end of which are clambered. Similarly, the body portion 14 is also substantially U-shaped with it legs 14a and 14b also being clambered. It is understood that the internal surfaces of the body portions 12 and 14 are machined to form an aerodynamic design and, as such, have different internal configurations. The internal surfaces of the body portions 12 and 14 are also configured to provide a transition from a substantially rectangular cross-section to a substantially circular cross-section for reasons that will be explained. The body portions 12 and 14 are connected together by placing the clambered ends of the legs 12a and 12b of the body portion 12 in abutment with the clambered ends of the legs 14a and 14b, respectively, of the body portion 14 as shown in figure 2. In this position, the clambered ends of the legs 12a and 14a form a weld prep, or groove 20a, and the clambered ends of the legs 12b and 14b form a groove 20b. The body portions 12 and 14 are welded together by welding a standard welding material, a portion of which is shown by the reference numeral 22, into the grooves 20a and 20b in a conventional manner to form a housing 24 having two ends 24a and 24b each of which are open. The end 24a of the housing 24 has a rectangular cross-section and the end 24b has a circular cross-section and is clambered. The internal surfaces of the housing members 12 and 14, and therefore the housing 24, are machined to provide a predetermined aerodynamic design and a gradual transition between the rectangular cross-section at the end 24a and the circular cross-section and the end 24b. The housing 24 is connected to the mounting member 18 of the flange 16 in a manner depicted in figure 3. More particularly, the clambered end 24b of the housing 24 is placed in abutment with the clambered end 18a of the mounting member 18 so that the abutting ends define a weld prep, or groove 26 which receives a standard welding material, a portion of which is shown by the reference numeral 28, to complete the assembly of the nozzle assembly 10. The nozzle assembly 10 is depicted in figure 4 connected to the case 30 of a turbomachine, or the like. To this end, the end 24a of the assembly 10 is welded to the case 30 so that it extends around an outlet opening 30a in the case. An annular neck flange 32 is provided that is identical to the flange 16 and has a frusto-conical mounting member 34 extending from one end thereof which is identical to the mounting member 18. The mounting member 34 can be formed integrally with the flange 32 or it can be connected to the flange in any known manner. The flange 32 and the member 34 are coaxially disposed and together define a through bore. A conduit 36 is welded to the mounting member 34 in the same manner as described above in connecting with welding the enclosure 24 to the mounting member 18. A plurality of angularly- spaced openings 16a are machined through the flange 16 as better shown in figure 3 and a plurality of similar opening are machined through the flange 32. The flanges 16 and 32 are placed together so that their corresponding faces abut as shown in figure 4. In this position the openings 16a in the flange align with the openings in the flange 32 and a plurality of bolts 38 are inserted through the aligned openings and secured with nuts 38a, to connect the flange 18 to the flange 32, and therefore the conduit 36 to the nozzle assembly 10. Therefore, fluids exiting the case 30 through the outlet opening 30a pass through the nozzle assembly 10 and the conduit 30 for further treatment. Several advantages are gained by the assembly and method of the present invention. For example, the nozzle assembly can be manufactured quickly and easily and is relatively inexpensive. It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the specific shape of the body portions 12 and 14, and therefore the housing 24, can be varied within the scope of the invention. It is understood that other modifications, changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Also the components discussed above can be connected together other than by welding. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

Claims: Claims What is claimed is: 1. A method of manufacturing a nozzle assembly comprising the steps of forming a first body portion, forming a second body portion, connecting the body portions together to form an enclosure, and connecting one end of the enclosure to a flange assembly. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein each body portion has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, and wherein the first step of connecting comprises the step of connecting the respective legs of one body member to the respective legs of the other body member. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first step of connecting further comprises the steps of chamfering the respective ends of the legs of each body portion, placing the respective clambered ends of the legs of the first body portion in abutment with the respective ends of the legs of the second body portion, and welding the respective legs together. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein an the second step of connecting comprises chamfering the one end of the enclosure and welding the latter end to the flange assembly. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the second step of connecting further comprises the steps of forming a circular mounting member on the flange, chamfering the distal end of the mounting member and welding the clambered one end of the enclosure to the latter end of the mounting member. 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of machining the interior of each body portion so that the one end of the enclosure is substantially circular in cross-section and the other end is substantially rectangular in cross-section. 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step off connecting the other end of the enclosure to a case and connecting the flange to another flange having a conduit connected thereto. 8. A nozzle assembly comprising a first body portion, a second body portion, means for connecting the body portions together to form an enclosure, and means for connecting one end of the enclosure to a flange assembly. 9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein each body portion has a substantially U-shaped cross-section defining two legs, the legs of one body portion being connected to the respective legs of the other body portion. 10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the ends of the legs of each body portion are clambered, the respective ends of the legs of the body portions being in abutment to define a groove for receiving a welding material to connect the body portions. 11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the one end of the enclosure is clambered and welded to the flange assembly. 12. The assembly of claim 11 further comprising a circular mounting member extending from the flange and having a clambered distal end. The clambered end of the enclosure being in abutment with the clambered distal end f the mounting member to define a groove for receiving a welding material to connect the enclosure to the flange. 13. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the interior of the body portions are machined so that the one end of the enclosure is substantially circular in cross-section and the other end is substantially rectangular in cross-section. 14. The assembly of claim 8 further comprising a case connected to the other end of the enclosure, an additional flange connected to the one end of the enclosure, and a conduit connected to the additional flange, whereby fluid can flow from the casing through the enclosure and through the conduit.

Inventors: SAMURIN NORMAN A, SAMURIN, NORMAN, A.
Applicants: DRESSER RAND CO, SAMURIN NORMAN A, DRESSER-RAND COMPANY, SAMURIN, NORMAN, A.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B21D21
IPC codes: B05B1, B23K9, F04D29