Hybrid Composite Turbine Engine Component for Edge Reinforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbine engine components made of composite materials face challenges in withstanding mechanical stresses and external forces during operation, particularly at high temperatures and in high-stress areas like the turbine section, leading to potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A composite structure is reinforced with a cover structure made of metallic or plastic materials, which is coupled or integrally formed with the composite structure to enhance its strength and durability against operational forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If composite materials are used for turbine engine components, then weight is reduced and manufacturing flexibility is improved, but strength and durability under high mechanical stress and temperature are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent weightVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining a composite structure with a cover structure made of different materials (metallic or plastic). The composite structure provides weight reduction while the cover structure adds strength and durability. This hybrid composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties to achieve both lightweight design and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If composite structure is used, then ease of manufacture and design flexibility are improved, but reliability under operational forces and high temperature is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidoperational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by adding a cover structure specifically to high-stress and high-temperature areas of the composite component. Rather than making the entire component more robust (which would reduce manufacturing flexibility), the cover structure is strategically placed only where needed to enhance reliability under operational forces and thermal conditions, maintaining ease of manufacture for the bulk of the component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the composite structure is reinforced with a cover structure, then strength and durability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by integrating the cover structure with the composite structure into a unified engine component. The cover structure is coupled to or integrally formed with the composite structure, creating a combined structure that enhances strength and durability without requiring separate, complex assembly systems. This merging approach reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the strength benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4644661A1Engine component for a turbine engine

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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AI summary

An engine component (100) for a turbine engine (10) comprises: a composite structure (102) having a composite structure outer wall (108), a composite structure edge (162), and a channel (122) provided along the composite structure edge (162); anda cover structure (104) encasing at least a portion of the composite structure outer wall (108), the cover structure (104) including a main body (124) and an extension (126), the main body (124) extending along the at least a portion of the composite structure outer wall (108), the extension (126) received within the channel (122).