Radial Stacking Angle Measurement Tool for Cylindrical Blades

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods lack the capability for quantitative measurement of radial stacking angles in blades, particularly for blades without a parallel radial tangential side, leading to misalignment and increased centrifugal stresses due to manufacturing tolerances and assembly errors.

Innovation Solution

A tool and method are introduced to measure the radial stacking angle of cylindrical blades, comprising a base indicating the radial direction, a slidable component for the stacking direction, reference elements for alignment, and a marker to quantify the angle between the stacking and radial directions, utilizing a radial ruler and measurement ruler with graduated scales to provide precise angle measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple radial ruler is used for measurement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision is insufficient because it only provides qualitative estimation without a measurement scale

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement tool structureVSAvoidradial stacking angle measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement tool is divided into multiple functional components: a base element for radial reference, a sliding component for stacking direction reference, and a marker element for angle indication. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function while maintaining overall simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement tool is designed to work with blades of any shape by using a universal base element that can be positioned on the hub and a sliding component that can accommodate different blade geometries, eliminating the need for blade-specific parallel radial tangential sides

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a measurement tool is designed to work with any blade shape, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple reference elements and sliding mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different blade shapesVSAvoidmeasurement tool structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding component can move along the blade surface to accommodate different positions and orientations, allowing the same tool structure to adapt to various blade shapes without requiring multiple specialized tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The base element serves as an intermediary that establishes a radial reference on the hub, while the sliding component acts as a mediator between the blade surface and the marker element, enabling universal application across different blade geometries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10082380B2Tool for measuring radial stacking angle of blades, measuring method and blade

Publication Date: 2018.09.25 NUOVO PIGNONE TECH SRL

AI summary

A tool to measure the radial stacking angle of a cylindrical blade comprises a base configured to indicate a radial direction of the hub, a component slidable over the blade and configured to indicate the stacking direction of the cylindrical blade, reference elements to provide a reference scale, a setting element configured to set the position of the component with respect to the base, a marker element configured to indicate the magnitude of the angle between the stacking direction and the radial direction using the reference elements; the angle corresponds to the radial stacking angle.