Gas Turbine Fan Platform Attachment Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
In geared turbofan gas turbine engines, the spatial constraints make it difficult to employ a fan spacer platform that is integral with the fan blade, as existing designs require separate components and pins that complicate installation and increase weight.
Innovation Solution
A platform for a gas turbine engine featuring a body portion with a forward flange and an integral pin, where the pin is receivable in an aperture of a lug's rear flange, made of graphite fiber epoxy composite, and co-molded with the body portion to reduce weight and complexity, allowing for radial retention and smooth airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a fan spacer platform is made integral with the fan blade, then structural integrity is improved, but spatial constraints in geared turbofan engines make it difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is segmented from the fan blade structure, allowing it to be independently positioned and retained on the hub. This segmentation enables the platform to achieve structural integrity through its own attachment mechanism while adapting to the spatial constraints of geared turbofan engines by not requiring integration with the fan blade.
2Ease of operation
If separate components and pins are used to constrain the platform, then installation flexibility is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retention pin is merged with the platform body, forming a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate pins and reduces the number of parts, thereby reducing device complexity and weight while maintaining installation flexibility through the platform's attachment features on the hub.
3Reliability
If separate pins are used for radial retention, then reliability of retention is improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retention function is merged into the platform body through integrated attachment features. The platform includes a forward flange with engagement features that interact with the hub, providing reliable radial retention without requiring separate pins. This integration reduces weight while maintaining retention reliability through the designed engagement mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A platform for a fan of a gas turbine engine includes a body portion, a forward flange at a front of the body portion that includes an engagement feature that interacts with a forward flange of a lug of a hub of a fan of a gas turbine engine, and a pin integral with a rear portion of the body portion. The pin is receivable in an aperture in a rear flange of the lug.