Inflatable Bladder for Gas Turbine Tool Securing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional repair methods for gas turbine engines require disassembly and can cause damage due to fluid or gas-based overspray and weld splatter, necessitating a method for in situ repair that minimizes harm to the engine.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the insertion of a tool into the engine with an inflatable bladder to secure the tool in place, allowing for precision repairs by supplying inflating fluid at a higher rate than the exit rate, creating a temporary barrier to protect unintended regions and facilitate repair operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If conventional repair methods are used, then repairs can be performed on internal components, but the engine must be disassembled and removed from the aircraft, increasing time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is pre-positioned and inflated before the repair operation begins, creating a containment barrier in advance to prevent overspray and debris from damaging surrounding components during the repair process
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable bladder acts as an intermediary barrier between the repair tool and the surrounding engine components, isolating the repair zone to allow in-situ repairs without full disassembly
2Ease of repair
If conventional repair methods are used, then repairs can be performed, but fluid or gas-based overspray and weld splatter can damage portions of the gas turbine
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is inflated before the repair operation to establish a protective barrier in advance, preventing harmful overspray and weld splatter from reaching and damaging surrounding engine components
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder contains and redirects the harmful overspray and debris generated during repair operations, channeling them away from sensitive components while still allowing the repair process to proceed
3Loss of time
If in situ repair is performed, then maintenance time is reduced, but the repair process is complicated by potential damage from overspray and waste particles
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable bladder uses a flexible thin-film structure that can be easily deployed and inflated within the confined engine space, creating a simple yet effective containment barrier without adding significant complexity to the repair process
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
Enables precise in situ repair of internal components with reduced risk of damage to the engine, allowing for efficient maintenance without disassembly, applicable to various gas turbine engines, including aircraft and land-based engines.
Implementation Method 1
inflating the bladder by supplying an inflating fluid to the bladder through an inlet at a supply rate
Implementation Method 2
the inflating fluid is supplied through the inlet at the supply rate greater than the outflow rate through the at least one exit port
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods are provided for securing a tool 202 within a gas turbine engine 10. The method can include inserting a tool 202 into the engine 10; inserting a bladder 100 between a portion of the tool 202 and a component 204 in the engine 10; and inflating the bladder 100 to temporarily secure the tool 202 in its position. For example, two tools (or more) 202 can be inserted into the engine 10 and secured by the bladder 100.