3D Woven Turbine Blade Platform Retaining Leg Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engine blades made from 3D woven composite materials experience deformation under centrifugal forces, leading to shape irregularities and air stream disturbances, and have discontinuities at the interface between pressure and suction side platforms, which can cause overlapping issues.
Innovation Solution
A preform for turbine engine blades is designed using three-dimensional weaving with specific longitudinal and transverse segments, including a retaining leg that connects the platform to the blade root or stilt portion, forming a box section to resist centrifugal forces and maintain aerodynamic regularity, reducing deformation and interface discontinuities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If 3D woven composite materials are used to reduce blade weight, then weight is reduced and fuel consumption decreases, but platform deformation increases under centrifugal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The platform structure is segmented into multiple functional zones: a root zone connected to the blade, a spanning zone extending across the airfoil, and a tip zone. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently - the root zone provides structural support while the spanning zone maintains aerodynamic shape, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and shape regularity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension to the platform structure by adding thickness variations and three-dimensional weaving patterns. This dimensional enhancement provides structural rigidity in the radial direction while maintaining aerodynamic smoothness in the tangential direction, allowing the platform to resist centrifugal deformation without sacrificing weight benefits
2Ease of operation
If platform cantilever length is increased to improve aerodynamic function, then air channeling capability improves, but bending deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platform employs local quality variations through non-uniform thickness distribution and localized reinforcement zones. The root portion has greater thickness and structural complexity for strength, while the tip portion tapers for aerodynamic efficiency. This local differentiation allows the platform to achieve both adequate bending resistance and effective air channeling
Solution Approach 2:
The platform utilizes composite material construction with three-dimensional woven fabrics that provide anisotropic mechanical properties. The fiber orientation and stacking sequence are optimized to provide high stiffness in the spanwise direction for bending resistance while maintaining lightweight characteristics, enabling longer cantilever lengths without excessive deformation
3Shape
If retaining leg structure is added to reduce platform deformation, then shape regularity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining leg is merged with the platform structure to form an integrated box-section configuration. Rather than being a separate component, the retaining leg is woven as part of the three-dimensional fabric structure, combining structural support and aerodynamic function in a single integrated element. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining shape regularity
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining leg structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support against centrifugal forces, defines the platform aerodynamic shape, and integrates with the blade root attachment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved shape regularity
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 solution effectively reduces platform deformation and maintains aerodynamic regularity, minimizing air stream disturbances and the risk of platform overlap, while maintaining the weight-saving benefits of 3D woven blades.
Implementation Method 1
the deformation of a zone of a platform increases with increasing distance of that zone from the airfoil... under the effect of centrifugal forces that act while the turbine engine is in operation
Data Source
AI summary
A preform for a turbine engine blade, the preform being obtained by three-dimensional weaving and comprising a first longitudinal segment (31) suitable for forming at least a portion of a blade root, a second longitudinal segment (32) extending the first longitudinal segment (31) upwards, and suitable for forming at least a portion of a stilt portion, a third longitudinal segment (33) extending the second longitudinal segment (32) upwards, and suitable for forming an airfoil portion, a first transverse segment (34) extending transversely from the junction between the second and third longitudinal segments (32, 33), and suitable for forming a first platform, and a first oblique segment (36) extending from the junction between the first and second longitudinal segments (31, 32) to the first transverse segment (34), and suitable for forming a retaining leg (26) for the first platform.