Composite Fan Casing Mold With Sealed Sector Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing turbomachine blower housings from composite materials face issues of high handling time due to bolted connections and rigidity problems at sector connections, particularly with T-shaped pieces.
Innovation Solution
A mold design featuring angular sectors with lateral flanges and grooves for direct fixation and elastomer seals, enhancing rigidity and reducing handling time through direct angular sector connections and elastomer seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If T-shaped pieces with bolts are used to seal between angular sectors, then sealing is ensured, but handling time increases significantly due to screwing and unscrewing bolts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the T-shaped intermediate pieces and bolts from the connection system. Instead, it uses direct flange-to-flange contact between adjacent angular sectors with grooves that receive elastomer seals, eliminating the time-consuming bolt assembly and disassembly operations while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sealing function and the connection function into a single integrated structure. The grooves in the flanges directly receive elastomer seals that seal between adjacent angular sectors, combining what were previously separate functions (sealing via T-pieces and connection via bolts) into a unified direct connection system.
2Reliability
If T-shaped pieces are used to connect angular sectors, then sealing is achieved, but rigidity at connection points deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the T-shaped intermediate pieces that acted as flexible connectors. By eliminating these intermediate elements, the connection between angular sectors becomes direct and rigid, with flanges contacting each other directly to provide structural stiffness while grooves accommodate seals for sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses elastomer seals within grooves to provide sealing while allowing the surrounding flange structure to provide rigidity. This composite approach combines the sealing properties of elastomer with the structural rigidity of the flange material, achieving both sealing and rigidity simultaneously.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a mold (1) for manufacturing a turbine engine fan casing from a composite material, comprising: a mandrel (2) around which a fibrous fan casing preform is to be wound; a plurality of angular sectors (3) of a counter-mold which are assembled on the outer contour of the mandrel (2) and are intended to close the mold (1) and compact the fibrous preform wound around the mandrel (2); characterized in that each angular sector (3) includes a first side flange (33) located at a first end of the angular sectors (3) as well as a second side flange (34) located at a second end of the angular sectors (3) which is opposite the first end, the first side flange (33) and the second side flange (34) being designed to cooperate with the second side flange (34) and the first side flange (33) of the adjacent angular sectors (3), respectively, at least one angular sector (3) comprising a first groove (36) that is formed at least in one of the first side flange (33) and the second side flange (34), a first seal (5) being arranged in said first groove (36), said first seal (5) being designed to be compressed between the first side flange (33) and the second side flange (34) of two adjacent angular sectors (3).