Exhaust Nozzle Vane Support for Thermal Expansion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine exhaust nozzles face challenges in managing high temperatures, which affect the structural integrity and operational efficiency due to thermal expansion and contraction of components.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an expansion-permissive link system that includes an inner plug, support vanes, and a vane-support frame, allowing for thermal expansion and contraction by adjusting the distance between components, ensuring stability and efficient operation across temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid support structures are used to hold the inner plug, then structural stability is improved, but thermal expansion causes stress and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The support vanes are designed with dynamic characteristics that allow them to flex and adapt to thermal expansion. The vanes can change their structural state from rigid to flexible depending on temperature conditions, enabling the inner plug to expand and contract without generating excessive stress while maintaining structural stability during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support vanes change their physical parameters (flexibility, stiffness) in response to temperature changes. As temperature increases, the vanes become more flexible to accommodate thermal expansion of the inner plug. This parameter change allows the structure to adapt to varying thermal conditions without compromising structural integrity or generating damaging stress.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the inner plug is firmly constrained, then positional stability is improved, but operational efficiency decreases due to restricted thermal movement
Solution Approach 1:
The support vanes provide dynamic positioning rather than static constraint. They maintain the inner plug in a stable position during normal operation but allow controlled movement when thermal expansion occurs. This dynamic behavior ensures both positional stability for operational efficiency and adequate thermal movement capability.
3Strength
If heavy-duty support structures are used, then structural integrity at high temperature is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support vanes are designed as thin, flexible structures rather than heavy-duty rigid components. These thin-film-like vanes provide adequate structural integrity to support the inner plug while accommodating thermal expansion through their flexibility. This approach achieves the required strength without the weight penalty of conventional heavy-duty support structures.
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 exhaust nozzle to maintain structural integrity and operational efficiency by accommodating thermal growth, reducing stress and enhancing performance under varying temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The expansion-permissive link may allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the inner plug and the support vane relative to one another as a temperature of the exhaust nozzle changes
Data Source
AI summary
An exhaust nozzle for use with a gas turbine engine includes an outer shroud and a nozzle-plug assembly coupled to the outer shroud. The nozzle-plug assembly includes an inner plug and at least one support vane that is coupled to the outer shroud to support the inner plug in an exhaust nozzle flow path.