Gas Turbine Blade Damping Device with Integrated Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine blades experience vibrations during operation, leading to potential fatigue issues, and existing damping devices struggle to effectively limit movement while maintaining sealing between adjacent blades.
Innovation Solution
A damping device with extensions from the roots of blades and recessed areas to receive seals and extensions, limiting radially inward and outward movement, is positioned circumferentially between blades to absorb vibrational energy and maintain sealing, using a cast cobalt alloy or nickel material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If damping devices are positioned between adjacent blades to reduce vibrations, then vibration damping effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for both damping and sealing functions
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device and seal are merged into a single integrated component. The damping device includes a body positioned between adjacent blades with a seal integrated into its structure, allowing it to simultaneously perform vibration damping and sealing functions. This eliminates the need for separate damping devices and seals, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping device is designed as a multi-functional component that serves both as a vibration damper and a seal. By incorporating sealing elements directly into the damping device body, a single component achieves multiple objectives: reducing blade vibrations and maintaining the seal between adjacent blades, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Reliability
If damping devices are integrated with seals between blades, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is integrated into the damping device body as a unified structure. The damping device includes a body with embedded sealing elements that work together as a single assembly, ensuring effective sealing between adjacent blades while being manufactured and installed as one component, thereby managing manufacturing complexity through integration.
3Manufacturing precision
If extensions from blade roots are used to limit damping device movement, then movement control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is segmented into distinct functional parts: a body for vibration damping, integrated seals for sealing, and extensions for movement control. These segments work together as an integrated assembly, with each part performing its specific function while contributing to the overall simplicity of the design by eliminating the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The extensions serve multiple purposes: they limit the movement of the damping device radially inward, provide structural support, and work in conjunction with the seal to maintain positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby controlling device complexity while achieving precise movement control.
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 damping device effectively reduces blade vibrations by limiting movement and maintaining sealing, thereby inhibiting fatigue and simplifying installation with multiple potential orientations.
Implementation Method 1
Gas turbine engine blades experience vibrations during operation, leading to potential fatigue issues, and existing damping devices struggle to effectively limit movement while maintaining sealing between adjacent blades
Implementation Method 2
The damping devices are positioned between circumferentially adjacent blades within a gas turbine engine. Interfaces between the circumferentially adjacent blades are typically sealed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A gas turbine engine assembly includes a damping device (100) having a first side (104) and a second side (108) facing away from the first side (104). The first side (104) is configured to hold a seal (102) when the second side (108) engages an extension (90) from a gas turbine engine component (76). The first side (104) is further configured to engage the extension (90) when the second side (108) holds the seal (102).