Ceramic Matrix Composite Blade Track Mounting System

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Coupling ceramic matrix composite materials with traditional fasteners in gas turbine engines poses challenges due to thermal expansion and material properties, particularly in high-temperature applications where stress localization can occur, leading to potential damage and reduced component lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A mounting system comprising a carrier segment of metallic materials and a blade track segment of ceramic matrix composite materials, featuring a brace with track-location and load-distribution arms that distribute loads across multiple points, providing both rigid and spring load points to manage thermal expansion and stress distribution effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional fasteners such as rivets or bolts are used to couple ceramic matrix composite components, then the components can be assembled, but stress localization occurs leading to potential damage and reduced component lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidcomponent lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is divided into multiple arms (track-location arms and load-distribution arms) that create multiple discrete loading points on the ceramic matrix composite component. This segmentation distributes the mounting stress across several locations rather than concentrating it at a single fastener point, thereby reducing stress localization and improving component reliability while maintaining assembly capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different arms of the mounting system provide different types of loading points - track-location arms provide rigid loading points for precise positioning, while load-distribution arms provide spring loading points that distribute loads. This local differentiation of loading characteristics allows the system to simultaneously achieve proper component location and stress distribution, resolving the contradiction between assembly capability and component lifespan

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If rigid fastening is used to secure the blade track segment, then the component is firmly attached, but thermal expansion causes stress concentration in the ceramic matrix composite

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidstress concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system incorporates spring loading points through the load-distribution arms, which provide a dynamic, compliant connection rather than a purely rigid one. This allows the system to accommodate thermal expansion of the ceramic matrix composite component while maintaining secure attachment, as the spring elements can deflect to absorb dimensional changes without creating stress concentration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple loading points are used to distribute loads, then stress localization is reduced, but the mounting system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestress distributionVSAvoidmounting system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system merges multiple functions into a single integrated bracket structure. The bracket combines track-location arms for positioning, load-distribution arms for stress distribution, and fastener mounting features all in one component. This consolidation achieves the reliability benefits of multiple loading points while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity by integrating rather than multiplying separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively reduces stress localization in ceramic matrix composite components, enhancing their durability and lifespan by distributing loads across multiple points, thereby optimizing the design and performance of turbine shroud segments in gas turbine engines.

Implementation Method 1

The load-distribution arms are configured to be less rigid than the track-location arms so that the load-distribution arms provide spring load points that distribute mounting loads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

coupling ceramic matrix composite components with traditional fasteners such as rivets or bolts may present problems related to thermal expansion and/or material properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS10392957B2Ceramic matrix composite blade track with mounting system having load distribution features

Publication Date: 2019.08.27 ROLLS ROYCE CORP

AI summary

An assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine has a carrier component and a supported component. The assembly includes a mounting system for coupling the supported component to the carrier component. In an illustrative embodiment, the assembly is a turbine shroud segment for blocking gasses from passing over turbine blades included in the gas turbine engine.