Blade Outer Air Seal Support Structure for Gas Turbine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine engines face challenges in effectively retaining and sealing the blade outer air seal (BOAS) due to thermal expansion and movement, leading to potential leakage and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with an axially extending and radially extending portion, forming a unitary piece, with retention members and axially extending tabs to securely attach the BOAS, and a forward seal to bias the seal against the support structure, ensuring a tight seal and accommodating thermal growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If retention hooks are used to mount the blade outer air seal to the engine casing, then the BOAS can be installed and retained, but thermal expansion and movement cause leakage and reduced sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates a compliant mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment and movement to accommodate thermal expansion of the engine casing. The structure can flex and deform elastically to maintain contact pressure between the BOAS and the casing, ensuring continuous sealing effectiveness despite thermal growth and operational movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure changes its physical parameters (shape, position, contact pressure) in response to thermal expansion. As the engine casing expands thermally, the support structure adjusts its geometry and positioning to maintain proper engagement with the casing and retention of the BOAS, adapting to the changing dimensional parameters of the engine components.
2Reliability
If a secure retention mechanism is implemented to prevent leakage, then sealing improves, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides structural support for the BOAS, acts as a retention mechanism through integrated retention members, and serves as a sealing element itself. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall assembly while maintaining reliable retention and sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it supports the BOAS assembly, retains it against the engine casing, provides sealing against leakage, and accommodates thermal expansion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall structural complexity while achieving reliable retention and sealing.
Data Source
AI summary
A support structure for a gas turbine engine includes an axially extending portion that forms a loop. A radially extending portion extends radially inward from the axially extending portion. A plurality of retention members are attached to at least one of the axially extending portion and the radially extending portion for retaining a blade outer air seal.