Flange Joint Compression Ring for Gas Turbine Stress Relief
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine flange joints experience high thermal gradients due to temperature differences between inner and outer surfaces, leading to significant tension stresses that reduce the service lifetime of components and increase maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A flange joint assembly that includes a compression ring applied to the radially outer surface of a flange to introduce compressive pre-stress, reducing operational tension stresses and increasing the service lifetime of the flange and casing components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flange joints are used to couple casings in gas turbine engines, then the structural integrity and assembly capability are improved, but high thermal gradients induce significant tension stresses that reduce the service lifetime of the flanges
Solution Approach 1:
The compression ring applies a compressive pre-stress to the flange before the engine operates. This preliminary compressive force counteracts the tensile stresses that will develop during operation due to thermal gradients, thereby reducing the net tension stress and extending the service lifetime of the flange joint
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the stress state parameter of the flange by introducing a compressive pre-stress through the compression ring. This parameter change transforms the flange from a purely tensile stress state during operation to a balanced stress state where compressive pre-stress offsets operational tensile stress, improving durability
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the service lifetime of flange components is extended through design modifications, then maintenance frequency and costs are reduced, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flange joint assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the base flange structure and the separate compression ring. This segmentation allows the compression ring to be designed, manufactured, and installed independently to provide the stress-relief function without redesigning the entire flange assembly, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The compression ring acts as an intermediary component between the flange surfaces. It mediates the stress distribution by applying compressive force, allowing the original flange design to remain intact while adding the stress-relief function through this intermediate element, thus avoiding complex redesign of the primary joint structure
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 compression pre-stress reduces operational tension stresses, decreases engine weight, enhances fuel efficiency, and lowers maintenance and ownership costs by extending the service life of components.
Implementation Method 1
a compression ring coupled to at least the radially outer surface and configured to apply a compressive force to the radially outer surface to reduce an amount of tension stress within the second flange
Data Source
AI summary
A flange joint assembly includes a first structure including a first flange and a second structure including a second flange coupled to the first flange to form a joint therebetween. The second flange includes a radially outer surface. The flange joint assembly also includes a compression ring coupled to at least the radially outer surface and configured to apply a compressive force to the radially outer surface to reduce an amount of tension stress within said second flange.