Housing including internal and / or external reinforcements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a turbine engine housing (1) extending about an axis, the housing (1) comprising: a hub including an outer wall (21) and an inner wall (22), an annular flange (23) extending between the outer wall and the inner wall; an outer shield (3); a plurality of arms (4) extending between the hub and the outer shield (3); the housing (1) further comprising a plurality of main reinforcements (5), each main reinforcement being arranged to extend from the arm (4) between the outer wall (21) and the inner wall (22) projecting from the flange (23), each main reinforcement (5) comprising two ribs (51, 52) arranged opposite to each other, the two ribs being separated from each other from the outer wall (21) toward the inner wall (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a turbine housing, and more particularly to a turbine exhaust housing. Background Technology

[0002] The exhaust casing is a structural component of the turbine located at the turbine outlet, which includes gas injection nozzles.

[0003] The housing typically includes a hub, an outer casing, and radial arms arranged circumferentially between the hub and the outer casing.

[0004] To secure the exhaust casing to turbine supports (such as mounts), a U-shaped connector protruding from the outer casing is provided.

[0005] Therefore, the exhaust casing is subjected to tensile and compressive forces, which can damage the casing and its arms. The stress and force are greatest, particularly at the joint between the hub and the arms.

[0006] In order for the shell to withstand these stresses, additional thickness is usually added in the high-stress areas, which leads to an increase in the mass of the structure. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention proposes a method to improve the resistance of turbine casing to forces.

[0008] Therefore, according to a first aspect, the present invention provides a turbine housing extending about an axis, the housing comprising:

[0009] - A hub, comprising an outer wall and an inner wall, with an annular flange extending between the outer wall and the inner wall;

[0010] -Outer protective cover;

[0011] - Multiple arms, each extending between the hub and the outer casing;

[0012] The housing also includes a plurality of main stiffeners, each of which is arranged to extend from the arm between the outer wall and the inner wall that protrude from the flange. Each stiffener includes two ribs arranged facing each other and separated from each other in such a manner that they extend from the outer wall toward the inner wall.

[0013] According to the first aspect, the invention is advantageously accomplished by the following features, which are implemented individually or in any combination of any possible combinations of the following features in a technically feasible manner.

[0014] Each rib includes a rod arranged as an extension of the arm.

[0015] The two ribs of each main reinforcement extend relative to each other in a manner that is circumferentially separated on both sides of the arm.

[0016] The housing also includes secondary reinforcements, each of which comprises two plates attached to the ribs of each primary reinforcement in such a way that a gap is left between the two plates, the gap forming a space suitable for being occupied in the event of deformation of one or more ribs.

[0017] The housing also includes internal reinforcements arranged to extend facing each other in each of the arms, and each internal reinforcement extends between two opposing walls of the arm.

[0018] The inner reinforcement is arranged in the portion of the arm that has the greatest thickness in the lateral direction of the arm.

[0019] Each inner reinforcement includes a rod extended by a head, the heads of which are arranged opposite each other with a gap between them, the gap forming a clearance suitable for being occupied in the event of arm deformation.

[0020] The heads, arranged opposite each other, have complementary shapes and preferably have circular or rectangular segments that form complementary convex and concave portions.

[0021] Each arm has a main extension direction, and each inner reinforcement of each arm extends in the arm mainly along the main extension direction of the arm.

[0022] According to a second aspect, the present invention proposes a turbine comprising a housing according to a first aspect of the invention.

[0023] According to a third aspect, the present invention proposes an aircraft comprising a turbine according to a second aspect of the invention.

[0024] The primary stiffener, which can be used in conjunction with secondary stiffeners and / or internal stiffeners, makes the shell rigid when subjected to high stress, which allows the shell to better support the primary stiffener.

[0025] Furthermore, adding reinforcements avoids the need for additional thickness in the relevant areas, thus limiting the increase in the structure's mass.

[0026] Therefore, the resulting shell has both good resistance and is lighter than known shells with additional thickness to resist stress. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting, and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 An overall view of the exhaust casing according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0029] Figure 2 Details of a portion of the exhaust housing according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown;

[0030] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Details of the ribs of the exhaust housing according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown;

[0031] Figure 5 An arm including internal ribs is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figures 6 to 8 An arm including internal ribs is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] In all the accompanying drawings, similar elements have the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Figure 1 A turbine housing 1 is shown, which includes a hub 2 that extends about a longitudinal axis XX'.

[0035] In the following text, the terms “inner,” “outer,” “radial,” and “axial” are positioned relative to the axis, and it can be understood that inner elements are closer to the axis than outer elements.

[0036] Back Figure 1 The hub 2 includes an outer wall 21 and an inner annular wall 22, and an annular flange 23 extends between the outer wall and the inner annular wall.

[0037] Radial arms 4 are arranged circumferentially between the hub 2 and the outer cover 3 of the housing 1. The arms 4 are evenly distributed around the hub 2.

[0038] A U-shaped connector 6 for connecting to the turbine mount (not shown) is arranged on the outer casing 3. Figure 1 There are three connecting U-shaped connectors 6.

[0039] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 In order to reinforce the housing at the arms, each arm includes radial main reinforcements 5 extending from each arm. Specifically, these main reinforcements 5 are arranged inside the hub 2 and protrude from the annular flange 23. Figure 2 As shown, each main reinforcing member 5 is generally V-shaped.

[0040] Specifically, the main stiffeners 5 extend circumferentially apart on both sides of each arm 4. Advantageously, each main stiffener includes two opposing ribs 51, 52 extending from a downstream rod 53 directly arranged as an extension of the arm 4. The two ribs 51, 52 are formed by walls that are separated by extending from the rod 53 toward the flange 23 toward the inner wall 22.

[0041] Specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, one side 51a, 52a of each rib contacts the flange 23, while the other side 51b, 52b of each rib contacts the inner wall 22.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, these main reinforcing members 5 are evenly arranged inside the hub 2.

[0043] This arrangement of the main reinforcement 5 enables the mechanical strength of the housing to be enhanced at arm 4.

[0044] In addition, Figure 4 In this configuration, secondary reinforcements 7 are attached to primary reinforcements 5: each primary reinforcement 5 is attached to one secondary reinforcement 7. Specifically, these secondary reinforcements 7 are formed by two opposing plates 71, 72, which are attached to the ribs 51, 52 of the primary reinforcements 5 with a gap between them (indicated by "e" in the figure) forming a clearance suitable for occupying in the event of deformation of the primary reinforcement 5. In practice, when the primary reinforcement 5 deforms, the two plates 71, 72 of the secondary reinforcement 7 will approach and contact due to the gap. This contact has a force-absorbing effect, making the hub overall rigid and preventing excessive deformation at that point.

[0045] As a supplement to the primary and / or secondary reinforcements positioned in the hub, the housing may include an inner reinforcement arranged in the structure of the arm.

[0046] According to one embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, the inner stiffener 8 is arranged perpendicular to the arm's axis Y (defining the arm's principal direction). This inner stiffener 8 includes two internal ribs 81, 82 facing each other inside the arm, with a gap e' arranged between the two internal ribs to form a gap suitable for being occupied in the event of arm deformation. Specifically, the ribs 81, 82 extend from two opposing walls 41, 42 of the arm 4. The internal ribs 81, 82 are filled into the arm in such a way that a gap e' is left at the center. Therefore, the internal ribs 81, 82 are facing each other. The shape of each internal rib 81, 82 can be similar to an inner platform that fills the cross-section in a manner having a slot at the center.

[0047] according to Figure 6In one embodiment shown, the inner reinforcement 9 is arranged along the axis of the arm. This reinforcement 9 includes two inner ribs 91, 92 that are opposite each other along a portion of the arm's length, with a gap between the two inner ribs to form a gap suitable for being occupied in the event of arm deformation. Specifically, these ribs 91, 92 are arranged opposite each other on the walls 41, 42 of the arm 4.

[0048] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, these internal ribs can take the form of rods 93 and 94, which are provided with complementary heads 93a, 93b, 94a, and 94b, the complementary heads having circular or square segments and complementary shapes (convex and concave portions).

[0049] exist Figure 7 In the middle, the convex (O-shaped) portion has a solid spherical or cylindrical section, while the concave (C-shaped) portion has a spherical or cylindrical section including an opening that accommodates the convex portion.

[0050] exist Figure 8 In the middle, the convex (T-shaped) portion has a solid rectangular section, while the concave (C-shaped) portion has a rectangular section including an opening that accommodates the convex portion.

[0051] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, these two parts are arranged relative to each other, with gaps in multiple directions to form corresponding gaps, which can be occupied in the event of arm deformation.

[0052] After the arm deforms, these ribs allow them to occupy the gaps between the convex and concave portions, thus forming contact between portions 93a and 93b or between portions 94a and 94b. This contact has a force-absorbing effect, making the arm as a whole more rigid and preventing excessive deformation at that point.

[0053] In addition, such as Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, advantageously, the inner stiffener is arranged in the portion of the arm that includes the maximum lateral thickness (the lateral direction being the direction perpendicular to the arm's Y-axis). In fact, a significant amount of stress is applied to the arm precisely in this region.

[0054] Additionally, internal or external ribs are obtained through additive manufacturing methods, which enable the provision of complex shapes in hard-to-reach areas.

[0055] Alternatively, the internal ribs can be manufactured during the manufacturing process of the arm, which can take the form of two parts assembled together by welding.

Claims

1. A turbine housing (1) extending about a longitudinal axis (X), the turbine housing (1) comprising: - Hub (2), which extends along the longitudinal axis and includes a radial outer wall (21) and a radial inner wall (22). - Annular flange (23), which extends radially between the radial outer wall and the radial inner wall; - Outer protective cover (3); - Multiple arms (4) extending between the hub (2) and the outer cover (3); - A plurality of main reinforcing members (5), each main reinforcing member extending radially from the arm (4) between the radial outer wall (21) and the radial inner wall (22), the main reinforcing members projecting from the annular flange (23) and extending radially along the annular flange, wherein each main reinforcing member (5) includes a rod extending radially from the radial outer wall toward the radial inner wall as it extends from the arm. Two ribs (51, 52) extend radially from the rod (53) to the radial inner wall. The ribs are arranged on opposite sides of the rod and radiate from the rod, and the ribs connect the rod and the annular flange. Wherein, as the ribs extend from the rod toward the radial inner wall (22), the ribs are separated from each other.

2. The turbine housing according to claim 1, wherein, The two ribs (51, 52) of each of the main reinforcing members (5) extend relative to each other in a manner that they are circumferentially separated on both sides of the arm (4).

3. The turbine housing according to claim 1 or 2, the turbine housing further comprising secondary reinforcements (7), each secondary reinforcement comprising two plates (71, 72) attached to the ribs (51, 52) of each primary reinforcement (5) in such a manner that a gap is left between the two plates, the gap forming a gap suitable for being occupied in the event of deformation of one or more ribs (51, 52).

4. The turbine housing according to claim 1 or 2, the turbine housing further comprising inner reinforcements (8, 9) arranged to extend facing each other in each of the arms (4), and each inner reinforcement extending between two opposing walls (41, 42) of the arm (4).

5. The turbine housing according to claim 4, wherein, The inner reinforcing members (8, 9) are arranged in the portion of the arm (4) having the maximum thickness in the lateral direction of the arm (4).

6. The turbine housing according to claim 4, wherein, Each inner reinforcement (9) includes a rod (91, 92) extended by a head (93a, 93b, 94a, 94b), the heads of the rods being arranged opposite each other with a gap between them, the gap forming a clearance suitable for being occupied in the event of deformation of the arm (4).

7. The turbine housing according to claim 6, wherein, The heads (93a, 93b, 94a, 94b) arranged opposite to each other have complementary shapes.

8. The turbine housing according to claim 4, wherein, Each arm (4) has a main extension direction (Y), and each inner reinforcement (9) of each arm (4) extends mainly along the main extension direction (Y) of the arm (4) in the arm (4).

9. The turbine housing according to claim 7, wherein, The heads (93a, 93b, 94a, 94b) arranged opposite to each other have circular or rectangular segments that form complementary convex and concave portions.

10. A turbine comprising a turbine housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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