Axial Turbomachine Compressor Casing Single-Piece Shroud
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axial turbomachine compressor casings require a high number of attachment points, which complicates the attachment process and can lead to mechanical weakness and leakage issues.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece outer shroud assembly that extends axially over the entire length of the casing, with radially extending attachment portions and plastically deformed branches to secure the shroud to the casing, reducing the number of fastening points and enhancing mechanical strength and sealing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple individual attachment points are used to secure stator vanes to the casing, then each vane can be firmly attached, but the number of attachment points increases, complicating the attachment process and creating potential leakage paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual vane attachments into a single common mounting bracket that supports multiple stator vanes. This bracket is attached to the casing as one unified component, reducing the number of separate attachment points while maintaining secure attachment of all vanes. The mounting bracket integrates multiple attachment functions into a single structure, eliminating the need for numerous individual fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the stator vane assembly into modular groups, where each group of vanes is supported by a common mounting bracket. This segmentation allows the vanes to be organized in sectors, with each sector having its own bracket that can be independently attached to the casing. This modular approach reduces the overall number of attachment points compared to individually attaching each vane.
2Strength
If multiple fastening openings are provided in the casing for attaching vanes, then adequate mechanical strength is achieved, but the casing structure becomes more complex and leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening openings into a reduced number of openings by using common mounting brackets. Instead of providing separate fastening openings for each vane, the brackets consolidate the attachment points, resulting in fewer openings in the casing. This reduces the potential leakage paths while maintaining adequate mechanical strength through the distributed bracket structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If a reduced number of attachment pins are used to simplify the attachment process, then manufacturing is easier, but the mechanical strength and rigidity of the vane support may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the support function for multiple vanes into a single common mounting bracket, which is attached using a reduced number of attachment pins. The bracket distributes the mechanical loads across multiple vane attachment points while using fewer fasteners overall. This merging approach maintains vane support strength by ensuring the bracket structure itself is sufficiently rigid and properly distributed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from attaching vanes in a single plane to a three-dimensional arrangement where common mounting brackets extend radially and axially. The brackets provide structural reinforcement in multiple dimensions, compensating for the reduced number of attachment pins by distributing forces through a volumetric structure rather than relying solely on the number of fasteners.
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
This solution simplifies the attachment process, reduces the number of fastening openings, and forms a continuous hermetic barrier, enhancing the mechanical strength and sealing performance of the compressor casing while minimizing the risk of leaks.
Implementation Method 1
plastically deformed branches to secure the shroud to the casing
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to an axial turbomachine low-pressure compressor stator. The stator includes an outer annular casing made of organic matrix composite materials. The stator also has groups of vanes having an outer shroud, several rows of stator vanes spaced axially from one another, and segments of inner shrouds at the inner ends of the vanes. The rows of stator vanes are aligned along the circumference of the casing. Each outer shroud is pressed against the inside of the casing so it can be fastened by means of attachment pins. The outer shroud, and the rows of vanes of said group forming a one-piece assembly. The device of the present application reduces the number of vane attachment elements to a few attachment portions distributed on the shroud.