Fan Platform Wedge Seal for Tolerance Gap Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In modern gas turbine engines, the manufacturing tolerances of composite intermediate platforms and metallic fan blades often result in gaps, leading to air leakage and inefficiency, with existing V-shaped seals being prone to deformation and loss of sealing capability.
Innovation Solution
A seal design featuring an elongated attachment portion affixed to the platform, merging into undulating sections and a wedge portion that provides a reliable seal across manufacturing tolerances, with optional fabric reinforcement for increased wear-resistance and deformability, ensuring effective sealing under centrifugal forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If V-shaped flexing seals are used to seal between fan blades and intermediate platforms, then sealing capability is provided, but the seals are prone to deformation and loss of sealing capability under centrifugal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The seal transitions from a static V-shaped design to a dynamic multi-state structure that adapts its configuration based on operational conditions. The seal can assume a first configuration at rest and a second configuration under centrifugal force, optimizing sealing performance while maintaining structural integrity throughout the operational cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal's physical parameters (shape, orientation, contact pressure) are dynamically adjusted in response to changing operational conditions. The transition between first and second configurations involves parameter changes that enable the seal to maintain effective contact with mating surfaces despite variations in centrifugal force and manufacturing tolerances.
2Ease of manufacture
If composite intermediate platforms are used with metallic fan blades, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but gaps occur due to high tolerance in manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The seal functions as a flexible element that compensates for manufacturing tolerances and gaps between the composite platform and metallic fan blades. The seal's flexibility allows it to deform and conform to the actual mating surfaces, ensuring effective sealing despite variations in manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal acts as an intermediary element between the platform and fan blade, bridging the gap created by manufacturing tolerances. This intermediary component absorbs the dimensional variations and provides a continuous sealing interface, allowing the use of composite materials with their manufacturing advantages.
3Reliability
If the seal is designed to be deformable to accommodate manufacturing tolerances, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the seal may lose structural integrity under operational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The seal's structural properties are dynamically adjusted through configuration changes. In the first configuration, the seal exhibits greater deformability to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and achieve effective sealing. In the second configuration under operational conditions, the seal maintains sufficient structural integrity to withstand centrifugal forces while preserving the sealing interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is divided into distinct functional segments or zones: a deformable sealing portion that accommodates manufacturing variations, and a stronger structural portion that maintains integrity under operational loads. This segmentation allows different parts of the seal to perform optimized functions for their specific requirements.
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 seal effectively mitigates air leakage by maintaining sealing capability despite manufacturing tolerances and operational variations, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
ensuring effective sealing under centrifugal forces
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A fan rotor includes a fan hub and a plurality of fan blades extending radially outwardly from the fan hub. Platforms (106) are positioned intermediate blade sides (122) of adjacent ones of the fan blades (102). Seals (124) are positioned between the blade sides (122) and platform sides (120) of the platforms (106). The seals (124) have an elongated attachment portion (126) bonded to one of the platform sides (120) and the blade sides (122). The seal (124) extends radially outwardly from the elongated attachment portion (126) to a wedge portion (134).