Integrated Afterbody Mount Case for Gas Turbine Nacelle Load Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nacelle assemblies for gas turbine engines fail to effectively isolate and manage aerodynamic and backbone bending loads, leading to potential structural damage and vibration issues.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an afterbody mount case within the nacelle assembly, featuring an outer ring and radially extending spokes that distribute and absorb loads, isolating the turbine exhaust case from direct reaction loads and allowing for flexible movement to dampen vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the turbine exhaust case is directly connected to the pylon mounting structure, then the mounting structure can directly react loads, but the turbine exhaust case is subjected to high structural stress and vibration that can cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
An afterbody mount case is introduced as an intermediary component between the turbine exhaust case and the pylon mounting structure. This afterbody mount case includes a first portion that couples to the turbine exhaust case and a second portion that couples to the pylon, thereby mediating the load transfer and protecting the turbine exhaust case from direct structural stress and vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is segmented into distinct functional portions: the turbine exhaust case, the afterbody mount case (with first and second portions), and the pylon. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the afterbody mount case specifically designed to absorb and dampen vibrations while transferring loads to the pylon.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid mounting is used to securely attach the engine to the pylon, then structural stability is improved, but vibration transmission to the engine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The afterbody mount case incorporates flexible or compliant mounting elements that allow for controlled movement and vibration absorption. These flexible connections maintain structural stability while reducing the transmission of harmful vibrations to the engine, effectively decoupling the rigid pylon structure from the sensitive engine components.
Solution Approach 2:
The afterbody mount case is designed with vibration-dampening features that provide beforehand cushioning against vibration transmission. By incorporating damping materials or compliant structures in advance, the system protects the engine from vibration damage before the vibrations can cause harm.
3Ease of manufacture
If the nacelle assembly uses separate components for mounting and housing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the overall structural integrity and load management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The afterbody mount case merges the mounting function and the housing function into a single integrated component. This merged structure maintains structural integrity and effective load isolation while simplifying the manufacturing process by reducing the number of separate parts that need to be assembled.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A nacelle assembly (35) for a gas turbine engine includes an integrated afterbody mount case (62). The integrated afterbody mount case (62) includes an outer ring (66) and a plurality of spokes (68) that extend radially inwardly from the outer ring (66). The outer ring (66) includes a radially outer surface (70) and a radially inner surface (72). The plurality of spokes (68) are circumferentially disposed about the radially inner surface (72) and extend radially inwardly from the radially inner surface (72).