Gas Turbine Conduit Bracket Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbine engine brackets cause damage to fluid conduits due to slight rubbing, leading to fretting, as they fail to effectively dampen vibrations and allow for necessary movement between the conduit and static structure.
Innovation Solution
A conduit bracket with a damped mechanical coupling design that includes M-shaped or W-shaped sectional geometry with bracket fingers and channels, allowing for slight relative movement while preventing unintended contact, and is configured to reduce vibrations and prevent rubbing between the fluid conduit and static structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid bracket connection is used between the fluid conduit and static structure, then the conduit is securely positioned, but vibrations cause rubbing and fretting damage to the conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed with flexible elements that allow controlled movement and compliance between the conduit and static structure. This dynamic design enables the bracket to absorb vibrations and accommodate thermal expansion while maintaining secure positioning, preventing the rigid contact that causes fretting damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket incorporates materials or structural features that change their mechanical properties in response to vibration and thermal conditions. By adjusting parameters such as flexibility, damping characteristics, or contact surface properties, the bracket adapts to operating conditions to prevent rubbing while maintaining positioning stability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible bracket design is used to allow movement, then vibration damage is reduced, but the conduit may experience excessive displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket employs dynamic elements with controlled compliance that allow limited movement to absorb vibrations while maintaining overall positional stability. The flexible components are designed with specific stiffness characteristics that permit small displacements for vibration damping but resist excessive movement through geometric constraints or pre-loaded springs.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket design incorporates parameters such as damping coefficients, stiffness values, and geometric constraints that are optimized to allow just enough movement to prevent vibration damage while maintaining sufficient positional stability. These parameters are carefully selected to balance the competing requirements of movement freedom and position control.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple bracket design is used, then manufacturing is easier, but it cannot effectively dampen vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into distinct functional segments: rigid mounting portions for attachment to the static structure, flexible intermediate sections for vibration absorption, and conduit interface portions for secure connection. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturability through modular construction or standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket incorporates design parameters such as material selection, cross-sectional geometry, and thickness variations that provide effective vibration dampening while remaining manufacturable. By carefully selecting parameters like damping material properties, structural stiffness, and geometric features, the bracket achieves reliable vibration control without excessive manufacturing complexity.
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 conduit bracket effectively dampens vibrations, reduces the risk of damage from rubbing, and allows the fluid conduit to float within apertures, ensuring reliable operation and extending the lifespan of turbine engine components.
Implementation Method 1
A conduit bracket with a damped mechanical coupling design that includes M-shaped or W-shaped sectional geometry with bracket fingers and channels, allowing for slight relative movement while preventing unintended contact, and is configured to reduce vibrations and prevent rubbing between the fluid conduit and static structure
Data Source
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AI summary
An assembly (20) is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly (20) includes a static structure (22), a conduit (24) and a bracket (26). The static structure (22) includes a port (54). The conduit (24) extends longitudinally through the port (54). The bracket (26) couples the conduit (24) to the static structure (22). The bracket (26) includes a first base mount (98), a second base mount (134), a conduit mount (92), a first damper (88) and a second damper (90). The first base mount (98) is attached to the static structure (22). The second base mount (134) is attached to the static structure (22). The conduit mount (92) is mechanically coupled with the conduit (24). The first damper (88) is between the first base mount (98) and the conduit mount (92). The second damper (90) is between the second base mount (134) and the conduit mount (92).