Cantilever Stator Vane Notch Damper for Resonance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in mitigating resonance vibrations in stator vanes, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A stator vane assembly with cantilever vanes featuring notches at their distal ends, where a damper, such as a split ring, is inserted to attenuate these vibrations by being at least 5% of the span or 10% of the chord length, effectively reducing resonance amplitudes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If stator vanes are designed as cantilever structures extending from the support structure, then the ease of manufacture and assembly is improved, but resonance vibrations increase causing potential damage and inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
A damper is introduced as an intermediary element between the stator vane and the support structure. The damper is received within a notch formed in the distal end of the stator vane, serving as a mediator that absorbs and dissipates resonance vibrations while allowing the cantilever structure to maintain its manufacturing advantages
Solution Approach 2:
The natural frequency of the stator vane is modified by changing its structural parameters - specifically by introducing a notch at the distal end and inserting a damper. This parameter change alters the vibrational characteristics to avoid resonance conditions with the rotating compressor blades
2Reliability
If dampers are added to reduce resonance vibrations, then the stability and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stator vane is segmented by introducing a notch at its distal end, creating a localized feature that accommodates the damper. This segmentation allows the damper to be integrated into the vane structure without requiring complete redesign of the entire assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The damper is nested within the notch formed in the distal end of the stator vane. This nesting approach integrates the vibration damping function into the existing vane structure, minimizing additional complexity while improving reliability
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 damper effectively reduces resonance vibrations by being strategically positioned and sized within the notches, enhancing the stability and efficiency of the gas turbine engine's compressor section.
Implementation Method 1
at least one damper received within the at least one notch formed in each of the distal ends
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~8
AI summary
A stator vane assembly includes a support structure (50) and a plurality of cantilever stator vanes (48). Each cantilever stator vane (48) of the plurality of cantilever stator vanes (48) extends from the support structure (50) to a distal end (54) of that cantilever stator vane (48). At least one notch (56; 80) is formed in each of the distal ends (54). At least one damper (60; 82) is received within the at least one notch (56; 80) formed in each of the distal ends (54). A method is also disclosed.