3D Woven Casing Preform for Blade Impact Energy Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aeronautical engine fan casings made of composite materials require enhanced mechanical resistance to impact from detached blades, as existing casings do not adequately absorb and distribute the stress of such impacts without increasing mass.

Innovation Solution

A fibrous texture with a three-dimensional weave is designed, featuring carbon fibers for rigidity in the inner layers and glass fibers for elastic deformability in the outer layers, allowing for optimized stress distribution and energy absorption during impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If carbon fiber weft yarns are used throughout the fibrous texture, then rigidity is improved, but energy absorption capacity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverigidityVSAvoidenergy absorption capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using carbon fiber weft yarns specifically in the first portion (radially inner part) of the fibrous texture where rigidity is needed, and glass fiber weft yarns in the second portion (radially outer part) where energy absorption is needed. This spatial differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between rigidity and energy absorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure combining two different fiber materials (carbon fiber and glass fiber) in a single fibrous texture. The carbon fiber provides rigidity in the inner layers while the glass fiber provides elastic deformability in the outer layers, creating a multi-material system that simultaneously achieves both rigidity and energy absorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If glass fiber weft yarns are used throughout the fibrous texture, then energy absorption capacity is improved, but rigidity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy absorption capacityVSAvoidrigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using glass fiber weft yarns specifically in the second portion (radially outer part) of the fibrous texture where energy absorption is needed, while using carbon fiber in the first portion where rigidity is needed. This localized material assignment resolves the contradiction between energy absorption and rigidity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite fibrous texture combining glass fiber and carbon fiber in specific regions. The glass fiber portion provides elastic deformability and energy absorption in the outer layers, while the carbon fiber portion maintains rigidity in the inner layers, achieving both properties simultaneously through material composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If the fibrous reinforcement has uniform material composition, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but impact resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a fibrous texture with spatially varying material composition - carbon fiber weft yarns in the first portion and glass fiber weft yarns in the second portion. This non-uniform composition optimizes impact resistance by providing rigidity where needed and deformability where needed, while still maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a systematic weaving process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution significantly improves the casing's resistance to blade impacts by providing enhanced rigidity where needed and elastic deformation capacity, effectively absorbing and restoring energy, thus enhancing the structural integrity while maintaining a satisfactory level of rigidity and deformability.

Implementation Method 1

The first portion of the fibrous texture is rigid... the first portion has greater stiffness than the second portion, the difference in stiffness being due to the presence of glass fibers, which are more flexible, and carbon fibers, which are more rigid.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRigidity:

Implementation Method 2

The second portion is elastically deformable... Glass fibers generally exhibit a higher elongation at break than carbon fibers: less than 2% for glass fibers and more than 3% for carbon fibers.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The second portion is intended to form the radially outer part of this fibrous reinforcement (the last turns of the winding)... in order to impart significant elastic deformation capacity to this second portion, and thus be able to absorb the energy transmitted by the blade by deforming and then release this energy back to the blade by returning to its initial shape.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy absorption:

Data Source

PatentEP3676431B1Woven fibrous structure for forming a casing preform
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS
  • EP3676431B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3676431B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3676431B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a fibrous structure (100) in the form of a band extending longitudinally (X) over a given length (L100) between a proximal part (110) and a distal part (120) and laterally (Y) over a given length (I100) between a first side edge (101) and a second side edge (102), said fibrous structure comprising the multilayer or three-dimensional weaving of a plurality of layers of warp yarns or strands extending longitudinally and a plurality of layers of weft yarns or strands extending laterally, characterised in that a first portion (P1) of the fibrous structure comprises carbon fibre weft yarns or strands between the proximal part (110) and an intermediate part of the fibrous structure, and in that a second portion (P2) of the fibrous structure comprises glass fibre weft yarns or strands between the intermediate part and the distal part.