Gas Turbine Bumper Cradle Mediator Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing synchronizing assemblies in gas turbine engines face challenges in providing a low friction, wear-resistant, and cost-effective structure for variable stator vane actuation, particularly in maintaining accurate positioning and accommodating movement without preloading sensitive materials.
Innovation Solution
A synchronizing assembly featuring a cradle and bumper assembly where the cradle is secured to the synchronizing ring with fasteners, while the bumper is a composite material that projects outwardly and is not directly fastened, allowing for low friction and wear resistance without preloading the composite material, and is manufactured from sheet metal for cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bumper is made of composite material to reduce friction and wear, then wear resistance is improved, but the bumper becomes more sensitive to preloading and more expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle serves as an intermediary component between the synchronizing ring and the composite bumper. The cradle is secured to the synchronizing ring with fasteners that do not extend through the bumper, thereby protecting the composite bumper from preloading while still providing the necessary structural support and low-friction interface.
2Strength
If fasteners extend through the bumper to secure it to the synchronizing ring, then the connection strength is improved, but the composite bumper is subjected to preloading that compromises its performance
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle acts as a mediator that transfers the connection force from the synchronizing ring to the bumper without directly fastening the bumper itself. The fasteners attach to the cradle, not the bumper, eliminating preloading on the composite material while maintaining connection strength through the cradle structure.
3Reliability
If traditional bumper designs are used to provide a wear surface, then wear resistance is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper is constructed from composite material that inherently provides low friction and wear resistance properties. This eliminates the need for additional wear surfaces or complex structural features, simplifying the overall design while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A synchronizing assembly for a gas turbine engine has a synchronizing ring. A bumper assembly has a cradle and a bumper held within the cradle. The cradle is secured to the synchronizing ring by at least one fastener without the fastener extending through the bumper. An engine is also disclosed.