Variable-Pitch Airfoil Yielding Interface for Impact Load Mitigation
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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 require lightweight yet robust airfoil assemblies.
Innovation Solution
The airfoil assembly incorporates a yielding interface formed from materials like honeycomb structures or springs with variable stiffness, allowing deflection and deformation to absorb energy and reduce load transfer, while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a lightweight airfoil assembly is used, then weight is reduced, but damage mitigation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a yielding interface between the airfoil and mounting structure that is designed to deform and absorb impact energy before damage can propagate to critical components. This yielding interface acts as a pre-positioned energy absorption mechanism that mitigates bird strikes, ice impacts, and foreign object debris damage while using lightweight materials throughout the airfoil assembly.
2Reliability
If a robust airfoil assembly is used, then damage mitigation capability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the energy absorption function in a specific localized region - the yielding interface between the airfoil and mounting structure. Rather than making the entire airfoil assembly heavy and robust, only the critical interface region is designed with yielding characteristics to provide damage mitigation, while the rest of the airfoil can remain lightweight.
3Loss of energy
If a yielding interface is incorporated, then energy absorption is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a yielding interface as a mediator between the airfoil and the mounting structure. This intermediate element absorbs impact energy through controlled deformation, protecting the critical structural components from direct impact forces. The yielding interface serves as a sacrificial element that preserves the integrity of the main airfoil and mounting structure.
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 impacts by absorbing energy, reducing load transfer, and providing a lightweight construction that maintains operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a yielding interface formed from materials like honeycomb structures or springs with variable stiffness, allowing deflection and deformation to absorb energy and reduce load transfer
Implementation Method 2
a yielding interface formed from materials like honeycomb structures or springs with variable stiffness, allowing deflection and deformation to absorb energy
Data Source
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.