Bayonet Connection Blocks for Turbine Disk Anti-Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bolted connections in turbine engines create stress concentrations, increase weight, and complicate alignment, leading to vibrations and manufacturing costs due to complex anti-rotation systems.
Innovation Solution
A bayonet connection using complimentary upper and lower blocks with axial retaining means, such as bolts or bendable tabs, to prevent rotation and axial movement between face plates and disks, eliminating the need for bolts and simplifying manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bolted connections are used between face plates and disks, then axial retention is achieved, but stress concentrations occur and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the axial retention function and anti-rotation function into a single integrated bayonet connection structure. The bayonet connection consists of complementary male and female features that simultaneously provide axial retention through their engagement geometry and anti-rotation through their asymmetric shapes, eliminating the need for separate bolts and reducing disk weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The bayonet connection is divided into separate male and female features that can be manufactured independently and then assembled. The male feature is formed on the disk and the female feature on the face plate, allowing for optimized manufacturing processes and reducing the need for complex machining operations that would otherwise be required for bolted connections.
2Strength
If bolted connections are used, then axial retention is achieved, but alignment difficulty and vibrations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The bayonet connection employs asymmetric male and female features where the geometry is specifically designed to guide alignment during assembly. The asymmetric shapes provide natural alignment cues that lead the components into proper registration, eliminating the need for time-consuming alignment procedures required by bolted connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The bayonet connection features are pre-formed during manufacturing with precise geometries that ensure proper alignment. The male and female features are designed with built-in alignment characteristics that automatically position the components correctly when assembled, eliminating the need for separate alignment operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional anti-rotation keys and retaining rings are used, then anti-rotation is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the anti-rotation function into the bayonet connection structure itself through asymmetric male and female features. This integration eliminates the need for separate anti-rotation keys, retaining rings, or other additional components, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining effective anti-rotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bayonet connection structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides axial retention through its engagement geometry, prevents rotation through its asymmetric shape, and maintains alignment during assembly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate components and simplifies the overall system.
Data Source
AI summary
Bayonet connection key includes upper and lower blocks shaped to be inserted one at a time into a key space, having laterally spaced apart upper and lower flat first and second side contact surfaces, and means for retaining blocks against each other. Bolt or screw may be disposed through an aperture in retaining plate and screwed into threaded hole in upper block pressing retaining plate against lower block. Upper block may include axially spaced apart upwardly extending forward and aft lugs, aft lug shorter than forward lug, and inwardly extending upper stop lug at aft end of upper block. Alternatively bendable tab extending axially forward from a front end of the lower block may be bent up contacting upper block for retaining blocks in key space. Upper block may include forward and aft lugs of same radial length and inwardly extending stop lug at aft end of lower block.