Compliant Fan Liner Wedge Mount for Vibration and Thermal Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Additively manufactured fan case liners face challenges with structural integrity, thermal growth, bond strength, and wear due to vibratory environments, necessitating a solution that retains and dampens these liners while controlling their position and managing thermal expansion.
Innovation Solution
A retention assembly comprising a retention bracket, damper, and fan case liner receiver, utilizing a compliant damper with an interference fit and wedge shape to support the fan case liner, allowing for deformation and load absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If additively manufactured fan case liners are used, then acoustic treatment volume is enhanced, but structural integrity and bond strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A compliant damper acts as an intermediary component between the retention bracket and the fan case liner. The damper includes a compliant portion that interfaces with the liner and a rigid portion that interfaces with the bracket, mediating the connection between dissimilar materials and addressing both retention and damping requirements
2Reliability
If retention brackets are bonded to the fan case wall, then liner retention is achieved, but thermal growth and wear problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system transitions from a rigid bonded connection to a compliant mechanical connection. The compliant damper changes the mechanical parameters of the connection, allowing for thermal expansion while maintaining retention through friction and geometric constraints rather than chemical bonding
Solution Approach 2:
The compliant damper serves as an intermediary that decouples the thermal growth of the liner from the rigid fan case structure. It absorbs dimensional changes and reduces wear at metal-to-additive interfaces by eliminating direct rigid contact
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the damper is made compliant to absorb vibrations, then vibration damping is improved, but structural support capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The damper is segmented into distinct functional portions: a compliant portion for vibration absorption and a rigid portion for structural support. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated component
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the damper have different material properties tailored to local requirements. The compliant portion uses softer, more flexible material for vibration damping, while the rigid portion uses stiffer material for structural support and bracket engagement
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
The solution effectively retains and dampens vibrations, limits mechanical loads, maintains liner position, and minimizes flow path interruptions, while accommodating thermal growth and wear, enhancing acoustic treatment volume.
Implementation Method 1
the damper comprises material configured compliant which deflects responsive to the interference fit
Implementation Method 2
A retention assembly for a fan case liner in a gas turbine engine fan case... the at least one damper supports the fan case liner
Data Source
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AI summary
A retention assembly for a fan case liner including a retention bracket including a tab; a damper comprising a forward end opposite an aft end, the damper comprising an exterior surface extending between the forward end and the aft end, the damper having at least one slot formed in the exterior surface; a bracket slot formed in the damper proximate the aft end, the bracket slot configured to receive the tab; and the fan case liner comprising a fan case liner receiver configured to receive the damper, wherein the retention bracket and damper support the fan case liner.