Composite Turbomachine Fan Ring Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ring assembly for turbomachines is complex and time-consuming to assemble due to numerous metal brackets, leading to static overstress and manufacturing challenges, particularly with the honeycomb structure's varying radial dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A ring assembly with a housing made of woven composite material featuring radial recesses and protruding parts for a form-fitting connection with the acoustic panel, allowing for easier assembly and uniform thickness, facilitated by weaving and draping processes, and using anti-wear strips to prevent wear during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal brackets and rivets are used to secure the acoustic panel to the housing, then the connection strength is improved, but the assembly complexity and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the acoustic panel and housing into a single integrated component made of woven composite material. The panel and housing form a unified structure where the panel is embedded within the housing material, eliminating the need for separate metal brackets, rivets, and fasteners. This integration maintains structural strength while dramatically simplifying assembly to a single piece or minimal segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses woven composite material to create both the acoustic panel and housing as a unified composite structure. This allows the panel to be embedded within the housing material itself, providing strong mechanical connection through the composite material's inherent bonding properties rather than requiring separate fastening elements.
2Reliability
If multiple metal brackets and fasteners are used to connect the acoustic panel, then the connection reliability is improved, but the maintenance time and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the acoustic panel and housing into a single composite structure, the patent eliminates multiple separate fastening elements that would require individual inspection, tightening, or replacement during maintenance. The unified structure allows for simpler maintenance operations where the panel remains permanently embedded within the housing material.
3Ease of manufacture
If grooves are created in the honeycomb structure to accommodate brackets, then the bracket installation is enabled, but the manufacturing complexity and radial dimension variation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bracket installation requirement entirely from the design by eliminating the need for brackets. Instead of creating grooves to accommodate brackets, the design embeds the panel directly into the housing material, removing the need for radial dimension variations and groove fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of woven composite material allows the panel and housing to be formed as a unified structure without requiring separate grooves or openings. The composite material's molding capabilities enable direct integration, maintaining uniform radial dimensions throughout the honeycomb structure.
4Stability of the object's composition
If numerous metal brackets are used for assembly, then the structural stability is improved, but the assembly time and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the acoustic panel and housing into a single integrated composite component, eliminating the need for multiple metal brackets and fasteners. This integration maintains structural stability through the unified composite material while reducing assembly to a single operation, thereby dramatically increasing production speed and efficiency.
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 solution simplifies assembly, reduces manufacturing complexity, and enhances acoustic attenuation while maintaining structural integrity and reducing wear, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective turbomachine component.
Implementation Method 1
the connection between the housing and the acoustic panel is form-fitting and allows the acoustic panel to be locked relative to the housing
Implementation Method 2
a one-piece annular acoustic panel 14 is provided, so as to reduce upstream noise emissions. The acoustic panel 14 comprises a honeycomb structure 26
Implementation Method 3
using anti-wear strips to prevent wear during operation
Data Source
AI summary
A ring assembly has a housing made of woven composite material carrying on its radially inner face an acoustic panel with a cellular structure covered with a composite material. The housing includes at least one radial recess in which is engaged at least one radially outwardly projecting part of the radially outer face of the acoustic panel.