Blade Wheel Holding Fixture for Retaining Ring Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for replacing the retaining ring in a turbine engine blade wheel are inadequate in holding damping elements in place when the old ring is removed and before the new ring is fitted, especially when the turbine is positioned vertically, leading to a high risk of the damping elements falling or being dislodged.

Innovation Solution

A holding device comprising an inter-blade ring sector with radially extending flanks and retaining clips that can be inserted into upstream grooves, providing radial support to the damping elements, ensuring they remain in position during the replacement process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the turbine is positioned vertically with upstream facing upwards for retaining ring replacement, then the retaining ring can be accessed and removed, but the damping elements are no longer held in position and risk falling or being dislodged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of retaining ringVSAvoidpositioning of damping elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device is installed on the blade wheel before the retaining ring is removed, establishing a preliminary support structure for the damping elements. This preliminary action ensures that when the retaining ring is removed and the turbine is in vertical position, the damping elements are already secured by the holding device's retaining clips, preventing them from falling or being dislodged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device acts as an intermediary component between the blade wheel structure and the damping elements. It provides a temporary support mechanism during the maintenance operation, mediating the gap created when the retaining ring is removed. The holding device's retaining clips engage with the damping elements to provide continuous support throughout the ring replacement process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If the retaining ring is removed to enable replacement, then the ring can be replaced, but the damping elements become unsecured and may fall into the turbomachine

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereplacement of retaining ringVSAvoidrisk of damping elements falling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device is installed before the retaining ring removal to establish preliminary protection for the damping elements. This ensures that the harmful effect of damping elements falling is prevented before the repair operation begins, allowing safe replacement of the retaining ring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device provides beforehand cushioning by creating a safety mechanism that catches and secures the damping elements before they can fall. The retaining clips act as a protective barrier, cushioning against the potential harmful effect of damping elements being dislodged during the retaining ring replacement process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the entire turbine is disassembled to safely remove damping elements, then the damping elements can be secured, but the maintenance time and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring of damping elementsVSAvoiddisassembly of turbine

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device is a segmented, modular component that can be independently installed and removed without disassembling the entire turbine. It consists of separate retaining clips and mounting structures that attach to existing features on the blade wheel, allowing the damping element securing function to be added as a discrete module during maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device extracts the damping element securing function from the permanent turbine structure, creating a temporary, removable solution. This extracted function can be installed and removed as needed during maintenance operations, avoiding the need for permanent structural modifications or complete turbine disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3667015B1Holding device for dismantling a turbomachine blade wheel, and method using it

Publication Date: 2021.10.06 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS

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AI summary

The invention relates to a retaining device for dismantling a turbine wheel of a turbomachine. The invention is characterized in that the retaining device (100) comprises: - an inter-blade ring sector (101), - a plurality of retaining clips (105) cooperating with one of the damping elements (40), the clips (105) extending radially while being circumferentially fixed to the ring sector (101).