Composite Aeroengine Fan Casing Equipment Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite material fan casings in gas turbine aeroengines face challenges in securely mounting heavy equipment like accessory gearboxes without damaging the composite material under weight and force loads, as traditional metal-based fastening methods are not applicable.
Innovation Solution
A composite material fan casing is secured using a ring or ring sector on its inside face, mechanically connected to equipment fastener parts on the outside face, which distributes forces and reduces the risk of damage, with the option of using metal or composite material rings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional metal-based fastening methods are used on composite material fan casings, then equipment mounting is achieved, but the composite material is severely damaged under weight and force loads
Solution Approach 1:
A metal ring is introduced as an intermediary element between the composite material fan casing and the equipment fastening system. The ring is mechanically connected to the inside face of the casing through嵌入 (embedding) during fabrication, and externally connects to equipment fastener parts. This intermediary structure bears the mechanical loads from equipment mounting, protecting the composite material from direct stress and preventing damage while enabling secure equipment attachment.
2Ease of operation
If the axial dimension of composite material casing is reduced to accommodate equipment mounting, then equipment can be fastened on intermediate metal casing, but the weight advantage of composite material is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The metal ring is integrated into the composite material fan casing during the fabrication process itself. The ring is embedded into the casing structure and the composite material is formed around it, creating a unified hybrid structure. This merging approach eliminates the need for separate intermediate metal casings or extensions, as the ring becomes an intrinsic part of the casing architecture, enabling equipment mounting while preserving the overall weight advantages of composite material construction.
3Ease of operation
If a collar is used to surround the fan casing and carry equipment fastener parts, then equipment mounting is enabled, but the composite material is damaged by transmitted shear or traction forces
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing fastening elements on the outside surface of the composite material casing (which would transmit forces directly to the composite), the fastening system is inverted by placing the metal ring with equipment fastener parts on the inside face of the casing. The metal ring mechanically connects to internal structural features of the casing, reversing the traditional mounting approach. This inversion ensures that shear and traction forces from equipment mounting are borne by the metal ring rather than being transmitted to the composite material, preventing damage while enabling secure equipment attachment.
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 method allows for the secure mounting of heavy equipment on composite material fan casings while minimizing the risk of damage from weight and force loads, maintaining the weight advantage of composite materials and ensuring structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
densifying the preform with a matrix, typically a polymer matrix... impregnating the preform with a liquid composition that is a precursor of the matrix of the composite material, and obtaining the matrix by transforming the precursor
Data Source
AI summary
An aeroengine fan casing is made of composite material including fiber reinforcement densified by a matrix. The casing is secured to at least one ring or ring sector that is situated on the inside face of the casing and that is mechanically connected to an equipment fastener part that is situated on the outside face of the casing, in particular for fastening an accessory gearbox.