Balanced Turbine Engine Portion Using Angular Sector
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing balancing systems for turbomachine parts require precise crimping of nuts, which is tedious, risky, and increases manufacturing time, and is not suitable for maintenance, particularly for parts like the inlet cone made of aluminum.
Innovation Solution
A balancing system using an angular sector with converging threading axes to fix balancing weights, allowing for simultaneous positioning of fastening elements and eliminating the need for crimping, facilitating easier installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If precise crimping of nuts is used to fix balancing weights, then the balancing precision is improved, but the manufacturing time increases and the risk of damaging the part increases
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing system is segmented into modular components: an angular sector containing multiple fixing elements (nuts) arranged in a crimping groove, rather than individual nuts positioned separately. This allows multiple nuts to be installed simultaneously in one operation, reducing the number of repetitive crimping operations needed while maintaining precise angular distribution for balancing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The nuts are pre-positioned in the crimping groove of the angular sector before installation on the turbomachine part. This preliminary arrangement ensures correct angular distribution and spacing, so that when the angular sector is installed, all nuts are positioned correctly in one operation, eliminating the need for sequential individual positioning and reducing total installation time.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise crimping of nuts is used to fix balancing weights, then the balancing precision is improved, but the risk of damaging the part increases
Solution Approach 1:
By grouping multiple nuts into a single angular sector module, the system reduces the total number of separate crimping operations. Fewer operations mean fewer opportunities for damage to occur during installation, while the internal structure of the angular sector maintains precise positioning of each nut for accurate balancing.
Solution Approach 2:
The angular sector acts as an intermediary carrier that holds multiple nuts in precise positions. This intermediary structure allows the nuts to be installed as a group rather than individually, reducing the cumulative risk of damage from multiple separate crimping operations while maintaining the precision required for balancing.
3Manufacturing precision
If individual nuts are positioned and crimped one by one, then the balancing precision is improved, but the complexity of the operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing system is organized into a structured angular sector with a crimping groove that guides and positions multiple nuts simultaneously. This segmentation into a modular unit with built-in positioning features simplifies the installation process compared to manually positioning each nut individually, while still achieving the required precision for balancing.
4Manufacturing precision
If the traditional nut-screw system is used for balancing, then the balancing precision is achieved, but the ease of maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The angular sector is designed as a removable module containing multiple fixing elements. For maintenance, the entire angular sector can be removed as a single unit, and individual nuts within it can be accessed and replaced more easily than if each nut were independently installed on the turbomachine part. This maintains balancing precision while improving maintenance accessibility.
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a balanced turbine engine portion. Said portion comprises at least one angular section (21) arranged such as to form a balancing ring (20) centred on a ring axis (C). Said angular section (21) comprises a plurality of attachment elements (30), a bearing surface (5) with a shape that matches the balancing ring (20), the angular section (21) abutting with said bearing surface (5). Said portion also comprises a plurality of balance weights (40), each attached to the corresponding attachment element (30) of the angular section (21), at least one of said balance weights also being useful as an attachment means for attaching the angular section (21) to the bearing surface (5). The invention also relates to a turbine engine comprising such a balanced portion.