Turbo Fan Engine Fan Case Assembly With Elastic Panel Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stress concentration and vibration occur in fan case assemblies of turbo fan engines due to thermal expansion differences and machining tolerances among the fan case, first panel, and second panel, leading to increased gaps and potential vibration during engine operation.
Innovation Solution
A fan case assembly with tubular panels and elastic bodies compressed by two members, such as springs or elastic materials, to stabilize the positions of these components and absorb thermal expansion differences and machining tolerances through elastic deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If adhesive or bolt is used to fix fan case, first panel, and second panel, then assembly is achieved, but stress concentrates at coupled portion due to thermal expansion difference or machining tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer member is introduced as an intermediary component between the fan case and panels. This buffer member absorbs dimensional differences and thermal expansion variations, preventing stress concentration at the adhesive or bolt coupling points while maintaining the structural integrity of the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer member is designed with specific material properties and geometric parameters that allow it to accommodate thermal expansion differences and machining tolerances. By changing the physical parameters of the buffer member (such as elasticity, thickness, and geometry), the system adapts to dimensional variations without generating harmful stresses.
2Ease of manufacture
If adhesive or bolt is used to fix fan case, first panel, and second panel, then assembly is achieved, but vibration occurs when gap between members increases due to thermal expansion difference or machining tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer member serves as a mediator that maintains consistent spacing between the fan case and panels despite thermal expansion or machining variations. This prevents gap formation that would lead to vibration during engine operation, thereby improving reliability while preserving assembly ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer member provides pre-established cushioning between components to compensate for anticipated thermal expansion and machining tolerance variations. This beforehand cushioning prevents excessive gaps from forming during operation, eliminating the source of vibration before it occurs.
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
Reduces stress concentration and vibration in the fan case assembly by stabilizing component positions and absorbing thermal expansion and machining tolerances, improving material selection flexibility and assembly efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the thermal expansion difference and the machining tolerance are absorbed by the elastic deformation of the elastic body between the two members
Data Source
AI summary
A fan case assembly of a turbo fan engine including a tubular fan case surrounding a fan of the turbo fan engine from an outside in a radial direction. The assembly also includes a tubular panel set covering an inner peripheral surface of the fan case and including panels lined up in an axial direction of the turbo fan engine and at least one elastic body compressed by two members selected from the fan case and the panels.