Ceramic Matrix Composite Vane Assembly Thermal Expansion Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine airfoils face challenges in maintaining position and load transmission due to thermal expansion mismatch between ceramic matrix composite vanes and metallic support carriers, leading to potential loss of contact and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vane assembly with a ceramic matrix composite vane and a metallic support assembly, featuring a locator assembly with a ceramic matrix composite locator flange and pin, which maintains the vane's position and load transfer through load-transfer pads and a slot in the metallic support carrier, allowing for thermal expansion while preventing rotation and ensuring consistent load transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a ceramic matrix composite vane is used in a gas turbine engine, then the vane can withstand high temperatures, but the metallic support carrier and ceramic vane have different thermal expansion coefficients causing position instability
Solution Approach 1:
A locator assembly acts as an intermediary between the metallic support carrier and ceramic matrix composite vane. The locator assembly includes a locator flange coupled to the support carrier and a locator pin that engages with the vane, mediating the thermal expansion mismatch by allowing controlled movement while maintaining positional stability and load transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locator pin is designed to slide within a slot in the support carrier, allowing the position of the vane to change in response to thermal expansion parameters. This parameter change capability enables the system to accommodate differential thermal expansion between the metallic support carrier and ceramic vane while maintaining proper alignment and load transfer.
2Stress or pressure
If the metallic support carrier is designed to accommodate thermal expansion, then thermal stress is reduced, but the vane may lose contact with the support carrier
Solution Approach 1:
The locator assembly serves as an intermediary mechanism that maintains reliable contact between the vane and support carrier during thermal cycles. The locator pin engages with the vane and slides in the slot of the support carrier, ensuring continuous contact and load transfer while accommodating thermal expansion without causing stress concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The support carrier and locator assembly are designed with dynamic characteristics that allow them to adapt to thermal expansion. The slot in the support carrier and the sliding locator pin create a dynamic system that maintains contact reliability across temperature variations, preventing the vane from losing contact while accommodating dimensional changes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the locator assembly is added to maintain vane position, then position stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locator assembly is segmented into distinct components: a locator flange coupled to the support carrier and a locator pin that engages with the vane. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing and assembly of each component while achieving the overall function of position stabilization through their coordinated interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The locator assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the support carrier and vane, providing position stability without requiring complex integration into either component. The locator flange and pin create a simple yet effective interface that maintains stability while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through modular design.
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 maintains the airfoil's position and load transmission across thermal cycles, ensuring efficient gas flow direction and load distribution, even with differing thermal expansion coefficients between ceramic and metallic components.
Implementation Method 1
the metallic support carrier thermo-mechanically expands and contracts during use of the vane assembly in the gas turbine engine
Implementation Method 2
The locator assembly may be configured to establish and maintain a position of the vane relative to the metallic support carrier
Implementation Method 3
the vane mount of the vane engages the load-transfer pads of the support assembly to transmit loads acting on the airfoil of the vane to the metallic support carrier
Data Source
AI summary
A vane assembly includes a vane that includes an outer platform, an inner platform, and an airfoil. The outer platform defines an outer boundary of a gas path. The inner platform is spaced apart radially from the outer platform relative to an axis and defines an inner boundary of the gas path. The airfoil extends radially between and interconnects the outer platform and the inner platform.