Gas Turbine Containment Ring Assembly with Deformable Inner Rings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas turbine engines face challenges in reducing the weight of containment rings while maintaining effective containment and absorbing kinetic energy from fragment impacts, particularly in the event of overspeed tri-hub failures.

Innovation Solution

A containment ring assembly with a three-zone configuration featuring radially superposed containment rings connected by frangible tab members, allowing for deformation and energy absorption without transmitting loads to the engine structure, designed to contain fragments from rotor failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a traditional solid containment ring is used, then structural strength and containment capability are improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainment capabilityVSAvoidcontainment ring weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The containment ring is divided into multiple discrete segments that can deform independently during fragment impact. Each segment acts as an individual energy-absorbing element, allowing the structure to maintain strength while reducing overall weight through the elimination of continuous material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The containment ring utilizes composite construction with segments connected by frangible tabs, combining rigid segment structures for strength with flexible connection elements for energy absorption, achieving high containment capability at reduced weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If the containment ring is made lighter, then weight is reduced, but energy absorption capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainment ring weightVSAvoidkinetic energy absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The containment ring transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where segments can move and deform during impact. The frangible tabs are designed to break at specific load thresholds, allowing controlled energy dissipation through sequential tab failure while maintaining overall structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The frangible tab connections are pre-designed with controlled weakness points that fail at predetermined energy levels, providing beforehand cushioning by absorbing kinetic energy through progressive tab breakage before the main containment structure is compromised

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Loss of energy

If the containment ring structure is made more complex with multiple zones, then energy absorption is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekinetic energy absorptionVSAvoidcontainment ring structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The containment system employs nested containment zones where inner containment rings are positioned within outer containment rings, creating multiple staged containment barriers. This nested arrangement allows progressive energy absorption across different zones while maintaining a compact overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 solution enables a compact engine design with reduced weight and effective containment, absorbing kinetic energy from fragments while preventing damage to the engine structure, thus maintaining structural integrity and meeting containment criteria.

Implementation Method 1

a radial space is located between the outer containment ring and the first inner containment ring and the second inner containment ring, the radial space allowing deformation of the first inner containment ring and the second inner containment ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

absorbing kinetic energy from fragments while preventing damage to the engine structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy absorption: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS12398661B2Containment ring for gas turbine engine

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP

AI summary

A containment ring assembly for a turbine casing assembly, including: a first inner containment ring; a second inner containment ring; an outer containment ring, the first inner containment ring and the second inner containment ring being radially inward from the outer containment ring, wherein a radial space is located between the outer containment ring and the first inner containment ring and the second inner containment ring, the radial space allowing deformation of the first inner containment ring and the second inner containment ring.