Segmented Compressor Casing Spring Mount for Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vibrations in turbofan engine compressor casings due to rotor blade contact with the compressor case lead to blade tip losses, compromising clearance and efficiency, and potentially causing damage to the aircraft and its components.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a damping mechanism with annular compressor casing segments that provide radial stiffness to counteract vibration forces, maintaining clearance between rotor blade tips and the compressor case, and using a spring system to resist movement between inner and outer casing segments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If rotor blades operate close to the compressor case to maintain compression efficiency, then compression efficiency improves, but vibrations from blade contact cause blade tip losses and compromise clearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression efficiencyVSAvoidclearance maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The compressor case is divided into multiple segments (first compressor case segment, second compressor case segment, third compressor case segment) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the compressor case to absorb vibrations and maintain clearance while preserving compression efficiency through controlled segment movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The compressor case segments are designed with dynamic movement capability rather than being rigidly fixed. The segments can move relative to each other to accommodate vibrations from rotor blade contact, maintaining optimal clearance dynamically during operation while preserving compression efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the compressor case is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then structural stability improves, but vibrations cannot be mitigated and clearance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidvibration energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The compressor case is segmented into multiple movable sections that can independently respond to vibrations. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain overall stability while enabling local segments to move and absorb vibration energy, preventing energy loss through rigid structure vibrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The compressor case segments act as intermediaries between the rotor blades and the external environment. These segments absorb and mitigate vibration energy from rotor blade contact while maintaining the structural stability of the overall compressor assembly, preventing vibration transmission to other components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If damping mechanisms are added to reduce vibrations, then vibration mitigation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration dampingVSAvoidcompressor case structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping mechanism is achieved through segmentation of the compressor case into multiple movable segments rather than adding complex external dampers. This approach reduces vibration through the inherent degrees of freedom of the segmented structure, achieving vibration mitigation with minimal additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The compressor case segments provide their own vibration damping function through their ability to move relative to each other. The structure serves its own damping function without requiring external damping devices, reducing overall device complexity while achieving effective vibration mitigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enhances compression efficiency by mitigating vibrations, maintaining clearance, and improving specific fuel consumption (SFC) in aircraft engines.

Implementation Method 1

a spring positioned between the first and second annular casing segments, the spring resisting movement between the first and second annular casing segments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS12516612B2Methods and apparatus to mitigate movement between compressor casing segments

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

Methods and apparatus to mitigate movement between compressor casing segments are disclosed. An example compressor casing comprises a first annular casing segment, a second annular casing segment surrounding the first segment, the second segment including an opening through a first surface and a second surface of the second segment, the first surface facing the first segment, a cylindrical body extending between the first and second segments, a first end of the cylindrical body attached to the first segment, a second end of the cylindrical body positioned within the opening of the second segment, the second end of the cylindrical body held in compression within the opening, and a spring surrounding the cylindrical body, the spring aligned to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body, the spring positioned between the first and second annular casing segments, the spring to resist movement between the first and second annular casing segments.