Damper Engine Mount Links for Turbine Clearance and Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft engine mount systems face challenges in maintaining engine alignment and clearance under extreme conditions, leading to oscillations and increased loads on the forward mount and fan hub frame, which can result in structural damage and reduced engine efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of damper engine mount links that provide damping resistance to movements of the engine core, maintaining clearance between turbine blades and the casing, and adjusting stiffness based on flight conditions to reduce oscillations and loads, thereby improving engine efficiency and reducing material requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid mount links are used to maintain engine alignment and clearance, then structural strength and alignment are improved, but oscillations and loads on the forward mount and fan hub frame increase under extreme conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The mount links transition from rigid to flexible configurations, changing their mechanical properties to provide damping resistance. This allows the links to maintain structural strength while reducing transmitted loads and oscillations under extreme conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount links are designed with adjustable stiffness characteristics that can adapt to different operating conditions. During extreme events, the flexible configuration absorbs oscillations dynamically rather than transmitting rigid forces, reducing loads on the forward mount and fan hub frame.
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid mount links are used to maintain engine alignment and clearance, then alignment precision is improved, but material requirements and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the mechanical parameters of the mount links from rigid to flexible, the system achieves alignment precision through controlled elasticity rather than rigid constraints, simplifying the overall structural design while maintaining manufacturing precision.
3Reliability
If damping resistance is added to reduce oscillations and loads, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping function is merged with the existing mount link structure rather than adding separate damping components. The flexible configuration of the mount links themselves provides damping resistance, eliminating the need for additional complex damping devices while improving reliability.
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 damper links effectively reduce oscillations and loads on the forward mount and fan hub frame, maintaining clearance and alignment of turbine blades, leading to improved fuel efficiency and reduced weight and complexity in engine design.
Implementation Method 1
provide damping resistance to movements of the engine core
Implementation Method 2
The damper links effectively reduce oscillations and loads on the forward mount and fan hub frame
Implementation Method 3
maintaining clearance between turbine blades and the casing, and adjusting stiffness based on flight conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Damper engine mount links are disclosed. An example engine assembly includes a core including a fore portion and an aft portion, the fore portion of the core to couple to a fan hub frame, the aft portion of the core to couple to a turbine rear frame or a turbine center frame. The engine assembly further includes a forward mount to couple the fan hub frame to an aircraft, and a damper link to couple the turbine rear frame or the turbine center frame to an aircraft mount.