Double-C Blade Platform for Turbine Engine Shingling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbine engines face limitations in accommodating larger airfoils due to thermal expansion, which leads to contact and increased likelihood of shingling between non-rectangular platforms, reducing the useful life of compressor blades and turbine buckets.
Innovation Solution
The use of blade platforms with a substantially double-C shape, which allows for larger airfoils and reduces the risk of shingling by distributing contact forces symmetrically, thereby extending the life of turbine engine components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If non-rectangular platforms are used to accommodate larger airfoils, then the airfoil size is increased, but the likelihood of shingling and platform overlap is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The platform uses a symmetric rectangular geometry rather than asymmetric non-rectangular shapes. This symmetry ensures that thermal expansion forces remain collinear and do not create nonlinear contact forces or torsional moments that would lead to shingling, while still accommodating larger airfoils through increased platform dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the platform by using a rectangular shape with specific dimensional relationships. The rectangular geometry with controlled aspect ratio allows larger airfoil accommodation while maintaining collinear contact forces during thermal expansion, preventing the shingling phenomenon.
2Reliability
If rectangular platforms are used to prevent shingling, then platform stability is improved, but the airfoil size is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves the size limitation by optimizing the rectangular platform's dimensional ratios. By adjusting the length-to-width ratio and overall dimensions of the rectangular platform, larger airfoils can be accommodated in the radial direction while maintaining the stability benefits of rectangular geometry in the circumferential direction.
3Power
If platform size is increased to accommodate larger airfoils, then power generation is increased, but the risk of platform contact and shingling is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The symmetric rectangular platform geometry ensures that contact forces during thermal expansion remain collinear and symmetric, preventing the generation of bending moments and torsional forces that would lead to shingling, while allowing increased platform size for higher power generation.
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 solution enables the use of larger airfoils, increasing power generation without footprint expansion, reducing bending moments, and minimizing the risk of platform overlap, thus enhancing the operational life and reducing maintenance costs of turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
during operation, thermal expansion of the platforms reduces the small circumferential tolerances such that adjacent platforms may contact each other
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assembling a rotary machine includes providing a rotor including a plurality of rotor wheels. The method also includes positioning the rotor such that at least a portion of a stationary portion of the rotary machine extends at least partially about the rotor. The method further includes providing a blade that includes a blade platform that is formed with a substantially double-C shape. The method also includes coupling the blade to the rotor.