Blisk Stub Geometry for Linear Friction Welding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high taper ratio in aerofoil blisk stubs during linear friction welding leads to uneven energy input, causing flash recirculation and voids in the weld due to differential amplitude and forge pressure variations, which existing methods fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A method that models the linear friction welding process to identify adaptations in the stub's geometry, such as varying widths, to compensate for differences in welding power along the stub, using finite element analysis to account for elastic deflections and energy input variations, thereby reducing burn-off rate inconsistencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a high taper ratio stub geometry is used in linear friction welding, then the blade member can be joined to the disc, but flash recirculation and voids occur in the weld due to uneven burn-off rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestub geometryVSAvoidweld quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the stub width along its length to create different local conditions for flash burn-off. The stub has a first width at the leading edge, a second width at the trailing edge, and a third width at the mid-chord position, with the ratio of maximum to minimum width being less than 2. This non-uniform width distribution compensates for position-dependent burn-off rates, ensuring consistent weld quality across the entire stub while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If complex machine and tooling systems are used to compensate for elastic deflections and energy input variations, then weld quality can be maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweld qualityVSAvoidmachine and tooling system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the stub (width at leading edge, trailing edge, and mid-chord positions) to compensate for elastic deflections and energy input variations. Instead of using complex machine and tooling systems to actively control and compensate for these variations, the invention embeds the compensation directly into the stub's geometry, thereby maintaining weld quality while significantly reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the stub width varies significantly along its length, then flash burn-off can be managed, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflash controlVSAvoidstub width tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial or excessive action by implementing a controlled width variation in the stub that is sufficient to manage flash burn-off but does not require extreme precision. The ratio of maximum to minimum width is specified to be less than 2, which provides adequate flash control while avoiding overly stringent manufacturing precision requirements. This moderate approach balances flash management needs with practical manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This approach allows for improved weld quality by compensating for energy input variations, enabling the use of less complex machine and tooling systems and reducing tooling complexity, while maintaining weld integrity and accessibility for flash trimming.

Implementation Method 1

The heat generated by the oscillation together with the radially inward load results in a weld between the disc 14 and the blade member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The burn-off rate of material is higher in the regions where the stub is relatively narrow in the weld oscillation direction. In these regions, the blade member does not move in the radially inward direction fast enough to keep up with the rate of burning off of material. This is because the material in the wider regions of the blade stub prevents such radially inward movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS8718812B2Linear friction welding of an aerofoil blisk
Publication Date: 2014.05.06 ROLLS ROYCE PLC
  • US8718812B2 patent drawing
  • US8718812B2 patent drawing
  • US8718812B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of making an aerofoil blink comprising a plurality of aerofoil blades joined to a disc to extend radially outwardly therefrom is provided. The method includes the step of: (a) modelling a linear friction welding process in which a blade member is joined to the disc, the blade member having a stub for joining to the disc, wherein the modelling provides results which are indicative of the welding power at positions along the stub during the welding process; (b) identifying adaptations to the stub using the modelling results to compensate for differences in welding power along the stub during the welding process; (c) providing a blade member having a stub with the identified adaptations; and (d) joining the provided blade member to the disc by the linear friction welding process.