Variable-Pitch Airfoil Mounting Interface for Impact Load Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbine engines face challenges in mitigating damage from bird strikes, ice impacts, and foreign object debris due to high mechanical stresses, which can lead to incipient damage and structural failure.

Innovation Solution

The airfoil assembly incorporates a yielding interface formed from materials like honeycomb structures or springs with variable stiffness, allowing for deflection and plastic deformation to absorb these impacts, reducing load transfer and maintaining lightweight construction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional rigid mounting structures are used to secure airfoils, then structural strength is maintained, but damage from bird strikes and foreign object debris cannot be mitigated due to inability to absorb mechanical stresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage mitigation capabilityVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The airfoil assembly transitions from a static rigid mounting to a dynamic yielding interface that can deflect and deform under impact loads. The yielding interface is designed to yield in a plurality of directions (radially, axially, and circumferentially) when subjected to bird strikes or foreign object debris, allowing the structure to adapt dynamically to impact forces while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting structure's mechanical properties are changed by introducing a yielding interface with variable stiffness characteristics. This interface can change its effective stiffness parameter based on the magnitude and direction of applied loads, being rigid under normal operating conditions but becoming compliant under impact loads to absorb energy and mitigate damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Weight of moving object

If lightweight materials are used for airfoil construction, then weight is reduced, but ability to withstand high mechanical stresses from impacts is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairfoil weightVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The airfoil assembly employs a composite structure combining lightweight materials with a specially designed yielding interface. The yielding interface acts as a composite element that bridges the lightweight airfoil structure and the mounting system, providing enhanced impact resistance while maintaining the overall lightweight design through strategic material placement and structural optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The yielding interface serves as a pre-designed cushioning element that is built into the airfoil assembly before operation. This interface is specifically engineered to absorb and dissipate impact energy from bird strikes and foreign object debris, protecting the lightweight airfoil structure from damage before the forces can propagate through the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If a yielding interface with multi-directional deflection capability is implemented, then damage mitigation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage mitigation capabilityVSAvoidmounting structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The yielding interface is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously provides structural support, load transfer, and damage mitigation capabilities. By integrating these multiple functions into a single interface component, the design avoids the need for separate systems for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving multi-directional deflection capability for comprehensive impact protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 yielding interface effectively mitigates damage from bird strikes and other impacts by absorbing mechanical stresses, enhancing the durability and reliability of turbine engine components while maintaining a lightweight design.

Implementation Method 1

allowing for deflection and plastic deformation to absorb these impacts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

yielding interface formed from materials like honeycomb structures or springs with variable stiffness, allowing for deflection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20260071550A1Variable pitch airfoil

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

An airfoil assembly for a turbine engine, the airfoil assembly including a platform defining an inner surface and an outer surface, a variable pitch airfoil extending radially from the outer surface of the platform from a root to a tip to define a span length and a mounting structure connected to the platform.