Curved Beam Squeeze Damper for Compact Turbine Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine configurations that use centering springs and oil dampers to manage vibrations are space-consuming, expensive, and complex to machine, while curved beam dampers are not effective for providing a reliable oil film damper.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an axially rigid curved beam with a squeeze damper configuration, where the curved beam is composed of multiple segments forming a ring, and a fluid damper is integrated to provide support stiffness and damping, while maintaining axial rigidity and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centering spring and oil damper are used to manage vibrations, then vibration management effectiveness is improved, but axial space consumption increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the centering spring and oil damper into a single integrated assembly where the spring is positioned within the damper structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting spaces and reduces the number of individual components that require precise manufacturing, thereby maintaining vibration management effectiveness while reducing manufacturing complexity and axial space consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: the centering spring provides axial centering and cushioning, while the oil damper provides radial vibration damping. By combining these functions into a single component structure, the patent reduces the overall device complexity and space requirements while maintaining effective vibration management.
2Reliability
If a centering spring and oil damper are used to manage vibrations, then vibration management effectiveness is improved, but axial space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested configuration where the centering spring is positioned inside the oil damper structure. This nesting allows both components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, significantly reducing the total axial space required compared to a linear arrangement where components would be stacked end-to-end.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional axial arrangement to a two-dimensional radial arrangement by positioning the spring and damper concentrically. This dimensional change allows both components to function simultaneously within a compact axial envelope, reducing axial space consumption while maintaining vibration management effectiveness.
3Ease of manufacture
If curved beam dampers are used, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but oil film damper effectiveness is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the damper into two distinct functional segments: a curved beam structure that provides simplified manufacturing and structural support, and a separate oil film damper component that provides effective vibration damping. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary oil film damper component that mediates between the curved beam structure and the bearing outer race. This intermediary element provides the necessary damping function that the curved beam alone cannot achieve, while the curved beam provides the simplified structural framework.
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
This configuration effectively manages vibrations by providing tuned stiffness and damping, while reducing the axial space requirement and manufacturing complexity compared to traditional designs, thus enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the gas turbine engine.
Implementation Method 1
a curved beam comprised of a plurality of curved beam spring segments positioned adjacent to each other to form a ring
Implementation Method 2
an oil damper made from a plurality of segments that are mounted directly between the outer race and the engine static structure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A gas turbine engine component includes an inner support structure (76) surrounding an engine center axis (A) and fixed to an engine static structure (64), an outer support structure (74) spaced radially outward of the inner support structure (76), and a curved beam comprised of a plurality of curved beam spring segments (78) that are positioned adjacent to each other to form a ring (114). The inner and outer support structures (74, 76) are coupled together around the curved beam to enclose the curved beam therebetween and form an assembly (72). A bearing (60) is spaced radially inward of the assembly (72).