Gas Turbine Auxiliary Component Mount with Deformable Shock Absorber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mounting systems for gas turbine engine auxiliary components are heavy, costly, and ineffective in reliably absorbing the high shock loads generated by a fan-blade out event, which can lead to separation of auxiliary components from the engine casing.

Innovation Solution

A three-point mount system comprising side brackets positioned near the auxiliary component's center of gravity and a top bracket, with a deformable member sandwiched between retainer members, designed to absorb shock loads by fragmenting and allowing non-planar retainer members to retain the component during extreme events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional rigid mounting systems with heavy hardware are used, then the auxiliary component can resist high shock loads and prevent separation, but the mounting system becomes heavy and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock load resistanceVSAvoidmounting system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable member is divided into multiple segments or layers that can independently deform and absorb energy during shock events. This segmentation allows the mounting system to achieve high shock load resistance through distributed energy absorption rather than requiring a single heavy rigid structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable member changes its physical parameters (stiffness, strength) through controlled deformation during shock events. By designing the material and geometric properties of the deformable member, the system transitions from a rigid heavy structure to a flexible energy-absorbing structure that maintains strength when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional rigid mounting systems are used, then the auxiliary component remains securely mounted, but the mounting system becomes expensive to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent retentionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable member is designed as a sacrificial component that absorbs shock energy through controlled deformation or fragmentation. This disposable energy-absorbing element protects the more expensive auxiliary component and engine casing, reducing overall system cost by replacing a cheap deformable member rather than protecting all components equally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system combines materials with different properties - a deformable member made from energy-absorbing materials (such as aluminum alloys or composite materials) with rigid retainer members. This composite approach achieves high reliability at lower cost by optimizing each component for its specific function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional isolators are used to damp vibration during normal operation, then engine vibratory loads are reduced, but the system cannot effectively absorb high shock loads from fan-blade out events

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidshock load absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable member transitions from a rigid state during normal operation to a highly deformable state during shock events. This dynamic response allows the same component to provide vibration isolation during normal operation while absorbing high shock loads during extreme events, eliminating the need for separate isolator and shock-absorber systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 system effectively absorbs shock loads during a fan-blade out event, maintaining component integrity while being lightweight and cost-effective, as the deformable member absorbs significant shock and the retainer members retain the component to the casing.

Implementation Method 1

During a fan-blade out event, the deformable member fragments to absorb a significant portion of the high shock load experienced by the auxiliary component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption through deformation and fragmentation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

Any subsequent load is absorbed by the non-planar sections of the retainer members which also then retain the auxiliary component to the engine casing after the event

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGeometric constraint and load absorption: Geometry

Data Source

PatentUS8104736B2Gas turbine engine auxiliary component mount

Publication Date: 2012.01.31 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

AI summary

A mount system for an auxiliary component includes two side brackets and a top bracket for rigidly attaching an auxiliary component to an engine casing. Each side bracket defines mount segments, a deformable member and two retainer members between the mount segment. The deformable member plastically deforms during a fan-blade out event, thereby absorbing a majority of the high shock load experienced on the auxiliary component. The retainer members maintain the attachment between the auxiliary component and the engine casing subsequent to the fan-blade out event.