Ceramic Matrix Composite Turbine Vane Mount Ring Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in efficiently managing high temperatures and reducing weight, particularly in turbine sections, where traditional metallic materials limit temperature tolerance and increase cooling air usage, leading to inefficiencies and potential thermal stress issues with ceramic matrix composite components.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a turbine section with a metallic turbine case, ceramic matrix composite turbine vane assemblies, and a vane mount ring that interfaces with both the turbine vane and shroud rings, using a bird mouth connection to transfer loads to the turbine case, reducing the need for independent interfaces and minimizing relative movement, thereby optimizing the use of ceramic matrix composite materials and improving sealing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ceramic matrix composite materials are used in turbine components, then temperature resistance and thermal efficiency are improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine component is divided into separate ceramic matrix composite segments that can be manufactured independently and then assembled together, reducing the overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining high temperature resistance
Solution Approach 2:
Metallic transition pieces are used as intermediary components between the ceramic matrix composite segments and the traditional metallic turbine structure, facilitating easier assembly and load transfer while allowing the ceramic components to withstand high temperatures
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional metallic materials are used in turbine sections, then manufacturing and assembly are simpler, but temperature tolerance is limited and cooling air usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine section employs a hybrid structure combining traditional metallic materials with ceramic matrix composite materials, allowing the ceramic portions to handle high temperatures while the metallic portions provide structural support and ease of manufacturing
3Strength
If independent case interfaces are provided for seal segment and turbine vane, then structural support is adequate, but device complexity and leakage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The case interface structure is merged into a unified design where the same interface serves both the seal segment and the turbine vane, reducing the number of independent interfaces needed while maintaining adequate structural support for both components
4Weight of moving object
If ceramic matrix composite turbine vane assembly is used, then weight is reduced and thermal efficiency is improved, but relative movement and thermal stress management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The design incorporates features that allow for controlled thermal expansion and movement of the ceramic matrix composite vane assembly, managing thermal stresses through parameter changes in the assembly configuration and support structure
Data Source
AI summary
A turbine section for use in gas turbine engine includes a turbine case, turbine shroud rings, a turbine vane assembly, and a vane mount ring. The vane mount ring couples the turbine vane assembly to the turbine case.