Composite Guide Vane With Tangential Platform for Tight Engine Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems for guide vanes made of composite materials in turbine engines require large radial and tangential space, making integration into turbine engines difficult and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The guide vane design features an inner and/or outer platform connected to the vane root and tip via a single tangential direction, reducing the tangential space requirement and allowing for a one-piece component construction with optional reinforcement, using fasteners like bolts or rivets for attachment to fixed structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If radial flanges are used to fix guide vanes, then the attachment surface area is increased, but the radial space requirement becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from radial extension (radial flanges) to tangential extension (tangential platform) for the attachment structure. The platform extends tangentially from the vane root rather than radially, fundamentally changing the spatial dimension used for attachment, thereby reducing radial space occupation while maintaining adequate attachment surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform is designed to extend tangentially in a single direction from the vane root rather than symmetrically in multiple directions. This asymmetric configuration reduces the radial footprint while providing sufficient attachment area, optimizing the trade-off between attachment surface and radial space occupation.
2Strength
If two radial flanges are used for attachment, then the second moment of area is improved, but both radial and tangential space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves the attachment structure from radial orientation to tangential orientation. The single tangential platform provides adequate moment of inertia for force absorption while occupying significantly less radial and tangential space compared to dual radial flanges extending in multiple directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts one of the two radial flanges, retaining only a single tangential platform for attachment. This reduction eliminates the need for dual flange configuration while maintaining structural adequacy through optimized tangential positioning and reinforcement.
3Weight of moving object
If composite materials are used for guide vanes, then weight is reduced, but integration with metallic stator parts becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tangential platform acts as an intermediary structure between the composite vane body and the metallic stator. It provides a dedicated attachment interface that facilitates joining composite materials to metallic parts, bridging the material compatibility gap while maintaining the weight benefits of composite construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials for the guide vane construction, including the tangential platform, which may use fiber-reinforced composites. This maintains weight reduction benefits while the composite structure is designed with integrated attachment features that simplify integration with metallic stator components.
Data Source
AI summary
Guide vane (10) made of composite materials intended to be fixed to at least one inner fixed structure (20) of a turbine engine, said guide vane (10) comprising an aerodynamic blade (12) extending radially outwards along a radial axis (X-X), an outer radial end (14) and an inner radial end (16).The vane comprises an inner platform (18) designed to be fixed to the inner fixed structure (20) and connected to the inner radial end (16) by an inner connecting elbow (16a) and extending from said inner radial end (16) along a single first tangential direction, secant to the radial axis (X-X) of the aerodynamic blade (12).