Gas Turbine Containment Case Local Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine containment cases with features within the containment section increase casing thickness and weight, which reduces engine efficiency and complicates the containment of blades and rotor components during catastrophic failure.
Innovation Solution
A containment case design featuring an annular body with a containment section and a reinforcement section, where the reinforcement section subtends a sector of the containment section with a greater thickness than the casing thickness, and an outer surface feature that at least partially coincides with the reinforcement section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the casing thickness is increased to counteract rupture near local features, then the structural integrity and containment capability are improved, but the weight of the containment case increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing a reinforcement section with increased thickness only in the specific circumferential region where local features are located, rather than uniformly increasing the entire casing thickness. This localized thickening provides enhanced structural integrity precisely where needed to counteract rupture risks near attachments or other features, while keeping the rest of the casing at its original optimized thickness, thus minimizing overall weight increase.
2Reliability
If the casing thickness is increased uniformly, then the containment capability is improved, but the engine efficiency decreases due to increased weight
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements local quality by concentrating the increased thickness exclusively in the reinforcement section that circumferentially coincides with or precedes local features, rather than uniformly thickening the entire containment case. This approach maintains high containment reliability in critical areas while minimizing the overall weight penalty, thereby preserving engine efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional features are located within the containment section, then the functionality of the containment case is improved, but the complexity of the casing structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the reinforcement section directly into the containment case structure, making it an inherent part of the casing rather than a separate attachment. The reinforcement section is formed as a continuous thickened region that circumferentially coincides with or precedes local features, combining the structural reinforcement function with the containment case geometry, thereby reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining enhanced functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A containment case includes an annular body bound by an inner surface and an outer surface and an outer surface feature extending outward from the outer surface. The annular body includes a containment section and an outer reinforcement section extending outwards from the outer surface and subtending a sector of the containment section. The reinforcement section includes a reinforcement thickness that is greater than a casing thickness of the containment section at least partially coinciding with the outer surface feature.