Dissimilar metal connection and method for operating such a dissimilar metal connection
AssigneeGeneral Electric Technology GmbH
InventorsEwelina Kos, Roland Buetikofer, Guenter Schmalzbauer, Amitkumar Shukla
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dissimilar metal connection arrangement comprising a dissimilar metal connection between a first member made of a first metal and having a first end, and a second member made of a second metal different from said first metal with regard to its metallurgical behavior, and having a second end, wherein the first end of the first member is fixedly connected to the second end of the second member. An increased lifetime of the connection is achieved by arranging a heating means at said dissimilar metal connection for controlled heating of said dissimilar metal connection.
Claims16
A dissimilar metal connection arrangement comprising:
- a first member made of a first metal, the first member having a first end portion terminating at a first end;
- a second member made of a second metal different from the first metal at least with regard to its metallurgical behavior, the second member having a second end portion terminating at a second end;
- a dissimilar metal connection between the first end of the first member and the second end of the second member;
- and
- a heat source surrounding the dissimilar metal connection, the first end portion, and the second end portion and configured to heat only the dissimilar metal connection, the first end portion, and the second end portion;
- wherein the dissimilar metal connection arrangement is located in a combined cycle power plant;
- wherein the first member and the second member are sections of a pipe, through which a hot fluid flows when in use;
- and
- wherein the dissimilar metal connection comprises a welding joint.
A method for operating a dissimilar metal connection comprising:
- providing a dissimilar metal connection between a first end of a first member and a second end of a second member, wherein the first member is made of a first metal and the second member is made of a second metal different from the first metal at least with regard to its metallurgical behavior, the first member having a first end portion terminating at the first end, the second member having a second end portion terminating at the second end;
- providing a heat source surrounding the dissimilar metal connection, the first end portion, and the second end portion;
- heating only the dissimilar metal connection, the first end portion, and the second end portion from a first low starting temperature to a second high operating temperature;
- and
- preheating the dissimilar metal connection using the heating source before and/or during a transition of the first member and the second member from the first low starting temperature to the second high operating temperature;
- wherein the dissimilar metal connection, the first member, and the second member are located in a combined cycle power plant;
- wherein the first member and the second member are sections of a pipe, through which a hot fluid flows when in use;
- and
- wherein the dissimilar metal connection comprises a welding joint.
A dissimilar metal connection arrangement comprising:
- a first member made of a first metal, the first member having a first end portion terminating at a first end;
- a second member made of a second metal different from the first metal at least with regard to its metallurgical behavior, the second member having a second end portion terminating at a second end;
- a dissimilar metal connection between the first end of the first member and the second end of the second member;
- and
- a heat source surrounding the dissimilar metal connection, the first end portion, and the second end portion and configured to heat only the dissimilar metal connection, the first end portion, and the second end portion;
- wherein the dissimilar metal connection arrangement is located in a combined cycle power plant;
- wherein the first member and the second member are sections of a pipe, through which a hot fluid flows when in use;
- and
- wherein the pipe is a steam outlet pipe of an air cooler in the combined cycle power plant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.