Annulus Filler Composite Material Impact Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine annulus fillers face challenges in balancing strength and toughness due to the brittleness of high-modulus reinforcement elements, which makes them susceptible to failure from foreign objects like birds or hailstones, while existing solutions lack sufficient impact resistance.
Innovation Solution
The use of a composite material comprising high-modulus reinforcement elements and tough polymer-based reinforcement elements, arranged in specific architectures to create regions with varying ratios of toughness and strength, ensuring increased resistance to impact and maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high-modulus reinforcement elements are used to increase strength and stiffness, then the annulus filler gains higher tensile strength and rigidity, but the material becomes more brittle and susceptible to impact damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite material system combining high-modulus reinforcement elements (for strength and stiffness) with toughening agents or elastomeric components (for impact resistance). This multi-material composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of high tensile strength and improved toughness by distributing different functional properties across different material phases within the annulus filler structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different material compositions within the annulus filler. Specifically, the reinforcement elements are strategically positioned or distributed to provide varying levels of toughness and strength in different zones, allowing the structure to resist both tensile loads and impact forces through localized material properties.
2Reliability
If the annulus filler is made tougher to resist foreign object impacts, then impact resistance improves, but tensile strength and structural stiffness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system where toughening agents or elastomeric components are integrated with the high-modulus reinforcement structure. This composite approach allows the material to exhibit both high toughness for impact resistance and maintained tensile strength through the synergistic interaction between different material phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies material parameters by adjusting the composition, distribution, and morphology of reinforcement elements and matrix materials. By changing parameters such as fiber orientation, volume fraction, or cross-linking density, the patent optimizes the balance between toughness and tensile strength to meet both impact resistance and structural strength requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An annulus filler may include an outer lid defining an airflow surface for air being drawn through the engine in an axial airflow direction and a support structure configured to connect the outer lid to a rotor disc. The annulus filler may include a composite material including a plurality of relatively high-modulus reinforcement elements, a plurality of relatively tough polymer-based reinforcement elements, and a matrix material substantially encapsulating the plurality of relatively high-modulus reinforcement elements and the plurality of relatively tough reinforcement elements.