Hollow-Solid Catcher Ring for Lighter Impeller Containment

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing impeller containment structures are heavy and inefficient in energy absorption, as they rely on fracture rather than deformation to manage rotor burst fragments, leading to uneven loading and material inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A catcher ring with a radially inner hollow portion and a radially outer solid portion, designed to absorb energy through plastic deformation, reducing weight by up to 25% while maintaining energy absorption capacity, by using materials like Inconel® 625 steel or titanium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a solid catcher ring structure is used to contain impeller fragments, then containment reliability is improved, but device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainment reliabilityVSAvoidcatcher ring weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The catcher ring is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a radially inner hollow portion and a radially outer solid portion. This segmentation allows the structure to optimize material distribution, placing solid material only where structurally necessary for containment while using hollow space where energy absorption is needed, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining containment reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the catcher ring are given different structural qualities - the radially inner portion is hollow to maximize energy absorption capacity, while the radially outer portion is solid to provide structural integrity and containment. This local differentiation of quality ensures each region performs its specific function optimally without unnecessary weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Weight of stationary object

If a hollow catcher ring structure is used to reduce weight, then device weight decreases, but energy absorption capacity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatcher ring weightVSAvoidenergy absorption capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The catcher ring is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a radially inner hollow portion and a radially outer solid portion. This segmentation allows the structure to optimize material distribution, placing solid material only where structurally necessary for containment while using hollow space where energy absorption is needed, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining containment reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow portion of the catcher ring, which might seem to reduce structural strength, actually converts into a beneficial energy absorption chamber. During impeller burst, fragments impact the hollow space, and the deformation of this hollow region absorbs significant energy, transforming what appears to be a structural weakness into an energy dissipation advantage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Loss of energy

If a solid catcher ring structure is used to maximize energy absorption, then energy absorption capacity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy absorption capacityVSAvoidcatcher ring structural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catcher ring is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a radially inner hollow portion and a radially outer solid portion. This segmentation allows the structure to optimize material distribution, placing solid material only where structurally necessary for containment while using hollow space where energy absorption is needed, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining containment reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catcher ring employs a composite structure combining hollow and solid portions in a single integrated component. This composite approach allows the structure to simultaneously achieve energy absorption (through hollow portion deformation) and structural containment (through outer solid portion), avoiding the need for multiple separate components and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 catcher ring effectively absorbs energy from rotor burst fragments, minimizing weight and maintaining structural integrity, ensuring efficient containment without excessive material usage.

Implementation Method 1

A catcher ring with a radially inner hollow portion and a radially outer solid portion is designed to absorb energy by plastic deformation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12607201B2Impeller containment system

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP

AI summary

A compressor impeller containment system includes a catcher ring surrounding an impeller hub at an axial location spaced from the impeller blades. The catcher ring has a radially inner diameter surface and a radially outer diameter surface defining therebetween a radial thickness R1. The catcher ring has a hollow body portion extending along at most one third of the radial thickness R1 of the catcher ring as measured from the radially inner diameter surface, and a solid body portion extending radially outwardly from the hollow body portion to the radially outer diameter surface.