Composite Vane Reinforced Cavity for Vibration-Resistant Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbomachine blades made of composite materials with internal cavities face issues such as reduced mechanical strength, increased vibration risk, and diminished resistance to torsion and aerodynamic forces due to thin composite material skins and large cavities, which can resonate with engine natural modes.
Innovation Solution
A method for manufacturing turbomachine blades with a reinforced internal cavity using a core structure that includes a reinforcing structure occupying only part of the volume, formed by a lattice architecture with support elements at antinodes of natural vibration modes, and a fugitive material that is later removed, ensuring mechanical strength and reduced mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a large cavity is created inside the blade to reduce mass, then the blade becomes lighter and fuel consumption improves, but the thin composite material skins exhibit low natural vibration modes that resonate with engine operating modes and reduce resistance to torsion and aerodynamic forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing discrete reinforcing structures at specific locations within the blade cavity rather than uniformly reinforcing the entire structure. The reinforcing elements are positioned at antinodes of natural vibration modes where they most effectively counteract resonance, providing localized reinforcement that maintains overall blade lightness while addressing critical weak points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining the thin composite material skins with additional reinforcing structures made of composite or metallic materials. This creates a hybrid composite structure where the skin provides aerodynamic surface and the internal reinforcing elements provide structural support, achieving both weight reduction and strength enhancement.
2Weight of moving object
If the blade is made hollow with a cavity to reduce mass, then fuel consumption decreases, but the presence of a large cavity reduces resistance to torsion and aerodynamic forces
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing structures are strategically positioned at antinodes of natural vibration modes and at locations experiencing highest torsional and aerodynamic loads. This localized reinforcement approach provides maximum structural support where needed while maintaining blade lightness and avoiding unnecessary mass addition in low-stress regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional skin structure to a three-dimensional reinforced structure by adding internal reinforcing elements that extend through the cavity space. This dimensional enhancement provides structural rigidity and load-bearing capacity in the thickness direction, significantly improving resistance to torsion and aerodynamic forces.
3Strength
If support elements are added to reinforce the cavity walls, then mechanical strength and vibration resistance improve, but the mass of the blade increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing structures are positioned only at antinodes of natural vibration modes where they are most effective, rather than uniformly distributing reinforcement throughout the entire cavity. This targeted approach maximizes vibration resistance and mechanical strength while minimizing the total volume and mass of reinforcing material required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial reinforcement rather than complete reinforcement of the entire cavity structure. By providing reinforcement only at critical locations (antinodes of vibration modes), the design achieves sufficient structural strength and vibration resistance without the excessive mass that would result from comprehensive reinforcement of all cavity surfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a vane (300) made of composite material and having a cavity, the method comprising at least: - producing a core (1; 2; 3; 4) having the shape of the cavity of the vane (300) to be manufactured, said core comprising a reinforcing structure (10; 20; 30; 40) occupying only a portion of the volume of the core, the remaining volume of the core being occupied by a fugitive material (6); - forming a skin made of a composite material around the core (1; 2; 3; 4); and - removing the fugitive material (6) to obtain a vane (300) made of composite material (300) having a cavity reinforced by the reinforcing structure (10; 20; 30; 40).