Composite Fan Platform Resisting Centripetal Twist
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine fan platforms in turbofan engines experience significant centripetal loading, leading to twisting and reduced efficiency due to the lack of effective structural reinforcement.
Innovation Solution
The use of composite plies with directional fibers, where the center of gravity is offset from the pin and the fibers are configured orthogonally, or at specific angles to prevent twisting, combined with isotropic and orthotropic composite plies to provide additional stiffness and resistance to deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fan platform sections are used without composite ply reinforcement, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the platform sections twist and warp under centripetal loading, reducing fan efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by incorporating multiple composite plies (first composite ply, second composite ply, third composite ply) with different fiber orientations and material properties into the fan platform section. These composite plies provide enhanced stiffness and resistance to twisting and warping under centripetal loading, thereby improving fan efficiency while managing structural complexity through targeted reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by strategically placing composite plies with specific fiber orientations at critical locations within the platform section. The first, second, and third composite plies are positioned to provide localized stiffness enhancement in directions where twisting and warping are most likely to occur, rather than uniformly reinforcing the entire structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If composite plies with directional fibers are added to prevent twisting, then the platform section resists deformation better, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials with directional fibers arranged in specific orientations (first composite ply, second composite ply, third composite ply) to provide targeted resistance to twisting and warping. The composite plies are designed to work together synergistically, with each ply contributing to stability in specific directions, thereby achieving high stability while managing manufacturing complexity through established composite material techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the fiber orientation angles and material properties of the composite plies to optimize stability. The first, second, and third composite plies have different fiber orientations and stiffness characteristics, allowing the design to target specific deformation modes while using manufacturable composite material parameters.
3Reliability
If the center of gravity is offset from the pin and directional fibers are configured orthogonally, then twisting is prevented more effectively, but the structural design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally offsetting the center of gravity from the pin location and configuring the directional fibers in non-symmetric orientations. This asymmetric arrangement creates a structural design that specifically resists twisting moments while maintaining operational reliability. The asymmetric fiber configuration in the composite plies provides targeted stiffness where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials with orthogonally configured directional fibers to provide enhanced resistance to twisting. The first, second, and third composite plies are arranged with fiber orientations that create orthogonal reinforcement patterns, effectively preventing twisting while managing design complexity through systematic composite material arrangement.
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
This configuration effectively reduces twisting and warping of the fan platform sections under centripetal loads, enhancing the efficiency and stability of the fan by providing targeted stiffness and resistance to deformation.
Implementation Method 1
The directional fibers may be configured to prevent twisting of the flow path portion in response to a centripetal load
Data Source
AI summary
A fan platform section may include a flow path portion with a plurality of composite plies. A first composite ply in the plurality of composite plies may include directional fibers. The directional fibers may be configured to prevent twisting of the flow path section in response to a centripetal load. The fan platform section may include a second composite ply in the plurality of composite plies. The second composite ply may include directional fibers. The directional fibers in the first composite ply may be orthogonal with respect to the directional fibers in the second composite ply.