Fixed Diffuser Vanes Assembly with Folded Tongue Reinforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current geometry of fixed vanes in turbomachines does not allow sufficient space for positioning sockets necessary for producing hollow vanes with accurate dimensions and tolerance, limiting the reduction of mass in turbomachines.

Innovation Solution

A fixed vane assembly with an inner annular platform, radial partition, and an inner ring featuring U-shaped cuts that fold to create tongues for contact with the radial partition, allowing for reduced material usage and improved stability without adding extra parts, and incorporating an abradable material for sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the current vane geometry is used, then the manufacturing process can be simplified, but there is insufficient space for positioning sockets necessary for producing hollow vanes with accurate dimensions and tolerance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevane dimensions and toleranceVSAvoidvane geometry complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inner annular platform is segmented into multiple components: support plate, radial partition, and inner ring with tongue elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the inner ring with folded tongues provides socket positioning space while the radial partition provides structural support, resolving the conflict between manufacturing precision and geometric complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner ring is nested within the radial partition structure, with the folded tongues of the inner ring fitting into the space between the radial partition and the vanes. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization, providing sufficient room for socket positioning without increasing the overall geometric complexity of the assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If reinforcing elements are added to the radial partition, then structural stability is improved, but the number of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial partition stabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing elements (folded tongues) are merged with the inner ring structure itself rather than being separate components. The inner ring is formed with integrated folded tongues that fold back to contact the radial partition, providing reinforcement while maintaining a single-part inner ring assembly that reduces the total number of parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The folded tongues act as flexible structural elements that can be formed from thin material. By folding the tongue back to contact the radial partition, sufficient structural stability is achieved using thin, lightweight material rather than bulky reinforcing elements, thereby reducing part complexity while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Weight of moving object

If the number of parts is reduced to minimize mass, then manufacturing complexity decreases, but structural reinforcement requirements become more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturbomachine massVSAvoidstructural reinforcement implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The solution changes the geometric parameters of the inner ring by incorporating folded tongues that extend radially outward to contact the radial partition. This parameter change (adding folded structures) provides structural reinforcement without adding separate parts, enabling mass reduction while maintaining manufacturability through a single integrated inner ring component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 results in a lighter yet robust vane assembly that maintains structural integrity without increasing material mass, achieved through the folding of tongues and brazing of abradable material, enhancing the manufacturing efficiency and reducing the number of parts.

Implementation Method 1

The abradable material is brazed to the inner surface of the ring, and to the radial partition through each opening of the ring.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBrazing: Brazing

Data Source

PatentUS10024179B2Fixed diffuser vanes assembly for guiding flow through a turbomachine, comprising an internal platform with inbuilt reinforcements, and associated turbomachine and production method

Publication Date: 2018.07.17 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS

AI summary

The invention relates to a fixed diffuser vanes assembly (10) for guiding flow through a turbomachine, comprising an internal annular platform (12) and a plurality of fixed vanes (11) which are mounted on this platform, the internal platform comprising a support plate (121) forming the base of said vanes, a radial annular partition (120) extending from the support plate toward an axis of the vanes assembly, and an internal ring (122) attached to the radial annular partition and having an internal surface on which an abradable material (123) is arranged, the vanes assembly being characterized in that the internal ring comprises at least one cut-out (1223) delimiting a tongue (1226), the tongue being bent to press against the radial annular partition (120). The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a vanes assembly and to a turbomachine incorporating such vanes.