Turbomachine Acoustic Panel Mounting via Radius Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional acoustic panels for turbine engines generate noise due to tangential linking means and fixing screws, and increase the engine's mass, which is undesirable for meeting strict noise standards and reducing weight.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical acoustic panel with a longitudinal slot is mounted by reducing its radius for insertion, then expanding to attach by gluing, eliminating the need for noisy attachment means and reducing mass by using a seamless honeycomb structure with a tangential step for continuous inner surface damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If acoustic panels are divided into sectors with tangential linking means and fixing screws for easier mounting, then the ease of mounting is improved, but noise is generated during operation and the mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic panel is segmented into multiple sectors that can be assembled separately and then joined together to form a complete annular panel. This segmentation allows for easier handling and installation while maintaining the integrity of the acoustic damping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the acoustic panel sectors into a continuous annular structure with seamless joints. By eliminating separate fixing screws and tangential linking means through advanced joining techniques (such as adhesive bonding or interference fitting), the panel achieves both ease of assembly and noise-free operation.
2Reliability
If fixing screws are used to attach acoustic modules to the fan casing, then the mounting reliability is improved, but the mass of the turbine engine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical fastening system (fixing screws) with an alternative attachment method such as adhesive bonding or friction-based interference fitting. This substitution eliminates the need for additional fastening components, reducing the overall mass while maintaining secure attachment of the acoustic panel to the fan casing.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment method transitions from discrete mechanical fasteners to a continuous bonding interface. By changing the attachment parameter from point-contact screws to surface-area adhesive bonding or interference fit, the mounting reliability is maintained or improved while significantly reducing the added mass.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a complete annular acoustic panel is used to provide uniform acoustic damping, then the acoustic performance is improved, but the difficulty of mounting increases due to the large size
Solution Approach 1:
The large annular acoustic panel is divided into smaller sector-shaped modules that can be manufactured, handled, and installed more easily. Each sector maintains the required acoustic damping properties, and when assembled together, they form a complete annular panel with continuous acoustic coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic panel sectors are pre-assembled into a complete annular configuration before installation into the fan casing. This preliminary assembly allows for quality control and adjustment to be performed on a manageable scale, and the complete panel can then be installed as a unified structure using simplified attachment methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces noise and weight by ensuring a seamless acoustic panel with improved damping properties and reduced interfaces, enhancing the turbine engine's acoustic performance while adhering to noise standards.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic panel 2 conventionally comprises an outer layer which is composed of a honeycomb structure and an inner skin which is composed of stratified pleated glass
Implementation Method 2
The invention also tends towards attaching the acoustic panel to the fan casing by bonding
Data Source
AI summary
A method for mounting an acoustic panel on the inner surface of an annular housing of an axial turbomachine, the cylindrical acoustic panel comprising at least one longitudinal slot so as to define two opposing ends, the method comprising: bringing the two opposing ends closer together so as to reduce the cylinder radius of the acoustic panel; inserting the acoustic panel into the fan casing when the opposing ends are close together; deploying the opposing ends so as to increase the cylinder radius of the acoustic panel; and securing the acoustic panel to the housing by gluing.