Compliant Shaft Recursive Configuration Turbine Engine

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional turbine engine configurations face misalignments between shafts due to operational loads, leading to unfavorable operating conditions and premature failure of components, which are mitigated using multiple separate components like bolted flanges or splines, increasing complexity and weight.

Innovation Solution

A compliant shaft with a flexible body is integrated with the gear box, providing flexibility between the fan and low pressure turbine shafts to prevent misalignments and reduce the need for additional components, thereby reducing complexity and weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate components (bolted flanges or splines) are used to provide flexibility and prevent misalignments, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of misalignmentsVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (flanges, bolts, splines) into a single integrated compliant shaft assembly. The compliant shaft incorporates flexible sections that provide the necessary compliance and misalignment correction functionality that previously required multiple discrete parts, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The compliant shaft includes flexible sections with controlled flexibility that allow the shaft to bend and accommodate misalignments. These flexible sections replace rigid connections with compliant ones, enabling the shaft to absorb misalignments without requiring additional corrective components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If multiple separate components (bolted flanges or splines) are used to provide flexibility and prevent misalignments, then reliability is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of misalignmentsVSAvoidshaft assembly weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (flanges, bolts, splines) into a single integrated compliant shaft assembly. The compliant shaft incorporates flexible sections that provide the necessary compliance and misalignment correction functionality that previously required multiple discrete parts, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The compliant shaft includes flexible sections with controlled flexibility that allow the shaft to bend and accommodate misalignments. These flexible sections replace rigid connections with compliant ones, enabling the shaft to absorb misalignments without requiring additional corrective components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If a gear box is used to accommodate different rotational speeds, then adaptability is improved, but misalignments occur under operational loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedifferent rotational speedsVSAvoidshaft alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The compliant shaft includes flexible sections with controlled flexibility that allow the shaft to bend and accommodate misalignments. These flexible sections replace rigid connections with compliant ones, enabling the shaft to absorb misalignments without requiring additional corrective components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The compliant shaft transitions from a rigid static connection to a dynamic flexible connection that can adapt its shape under load. The flexible sections allow the shaft to dynamically adjust its configuration to maintain proper alignment between the gear box and turbine shaft under varying operational conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 compliant shaft effectively prevents misalignments and reduces component wear, eliminating the need for multiple separate components, thus enhancing the operational reliability and reducing the overall weight and complexity of the turbine engine.

Implementation Method 1

at least a portion of the body is flexible

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10094335B2Compliant shaft with a recursive configuration for turbine engines

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

Embodiments of a compliant shaft for engines are provided herein. In some embodiments, a compliant shaft for a turbine engine may include: a body having a first end configured to be coupled to a shaft of a turbine and a second end coupled to a gear of a gear box, wherein at least a portion of the body is flexible.