Cam-Actuated Clamp Connector for Metal Grid Silencers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The welding process in constructing silencers for gas turbine engines often leads to early crack formation and joint separation due to deterioration of metal grid material's oxidation resistance and mechanical properties, reducing silencer performance.
Innovation Solution
A clamp connector system with cam surfaces and clamping members that apply increasing clamping force in response to separation forces, securely joining adjoining edges of metal grid material without welding, thereby preserving the material's original properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to join edges of metal grid material, then the edges are securely connected, but the material's oxidation resistance and mechanical properties deteriorate leading to crack formation
Solution Approach 1:
A clamp connector serves as an intermediary device that joins the edges of metal grid material without direct welding. The clamp connector includes containing members that hold the material edges and clamping members with cam surfaces that apply distributed clamping force, securing the joint while preserving the original material properties and avoiding weld-induced deterioration.
2Ease of manufacture
If welding process is applied to create seam, then edges are joined together, but early crack formation occurs reducing silencer performance
Solution Approach 1:
The welding process is replaced with a mechanical clamping system. The clamp connector uses clamping members with cam surfaces that convert rotational motion into linear clamping force, mechanically securing the material edges without thermal processing. This substitution eliminates the harmful effects of welding while maintaining joint durability and preventing crack formation.
3Strength
If welding is used to join material edges, then connection is achieved, but oxidation resistance and mechanical properties are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp connector acts as a mediator that transfers and distributes mechanical load away from the material edges, preventing stress concentration that would compromise oxidation resistance. By clamping the edges together without welding, the original protective oxide layers and material properties remain intact, avoiding the degradation caused by welding heat and filler metals.
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 clamp connector effectively joins metal grid material edges, enhancing the material's oxidation resistance and mechanical strength, preventing crack formation and joint separation, and maintaining silencer performance.
Implementation Method 1
A clamp connector system with cam surfaces and clamping members that apply increasing clamping force in response to separation forces
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp connector includes a first clamping member configured to apply a clamping force to a material, the first clamping member having a first portion including a first and second cam surfaces, a first cammed body adjacent the first cam surface, and a second cammed body adjacent the second cam surface. A second clamping member is configured to apply a clamping force to the material. The second clamping member having a second portion including a third and fourth cam surfaces, a third cammed body adjacent the third cam surface, and a fourth cammed body adjacent the fourth cam surface. When each cam surface is forced against the adjacent cammed body a clamping force between the first clamping member and the second clamping member is increased.