Compressor Rotor Blade Leading-Edge Indent for Impact Robustness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Compressor rotor blades in gas turbine engines face challenges in withstanding impacts from foreign objects like ice or debris, requiring enhanced robustness and resistance to plastic deformation to maintain efficiency and stability.

Innovation Solution

The rotor blade design features a leading edge with an indent segment that extends between the tip and intermediate points, providing increased stiffness and resistance to plastic deformation through specific geometric ratios, allowing the blade to elastically deform while minimizing damage from impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the rotor blade is made more robust to withstand foreign object impacts, then the resistance to plastic deformation improves, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to plastic deformationVSAvoidblade weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating an indent segment specifically at the leading edge region where foreign object impacts most frequently occur. This localized geometric modification concentrates material and structural reinforcement exactly where needed (at the leading edge tip and intermediate regions) rather than uniformly throughout the entire blade, thereby improving resistance to plastic deformation at the impact zone while minimizing additional weight across the whole blade structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the leading edge is made stiffer to resist impact damage, then the resistance to plastic deformation improves, but the ability to elastically deform under load decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to plastic deformationVSAvoidelastic deformation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the geometric parameters of the indent segment, specifically the ratio of indent depth to leading edge radial length (0.05 to 0.20) and the position of the intermediate point (0.20 to 0.45 from the tip). These parameter adjustments create an optimal balance where the leading edge has sufficient stiffness to resist plastic deformation from impacts, while the blade body maintains adequate elasticity to deform under high loads without permanent damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If the indent segment is made deeper to increase robustness, then the resistance to plastic deformation improves, but the blade complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverobustnessVSAvoidleading edge geometry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by defining specific ranges for the indent depth ratio (0.05 to 0.20) and the intermediate point position ratio (0.20 to 0.45). These parameter constraints simplify the design process by providing clear guidelines for manufacturing while ensuring sufficient robustness. The controlled parameter ranges prevent excessive complexity by limiting how deep and complex the indent can be, balancing robustness requirements with manufacturing feasibility and geometric simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The design enhances the rotor blade's robustness and resistance to plastic deformation, enabling it to withstand high loads and maintain efficiency by distributing impact forces evenly, while also potentially offering weight savings.

Implementation Method 1

allowing the blade to elastically deform while minimizing damage from impacts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

distributing impact forces evenly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce distribution: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3372786B1High-pressure compressor rotor blade with leading edge having indent segment
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP3372786B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3372786B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3372786B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rotor blade (208) comprises a mount (210) and a blade (212) that extends from the mount along a radial axis (121). The leading edge (222) includes an indent segment (232). The leading edge has a leading edge radial length (221) measured along the radial axis. The indent segment has an indent radial length (258) measured along the radial axis. The indent segment has an indent depth (256). A first ratio of the indent radial length to the leading edge radial length is at most 0.5. A second ratio of the indent depth to the indent radial length is at least 0.05.