Flexible Heat Shield With Braze Wire Attachment Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing and installing heat shields on components with non-linear geometry in gas turbine engines is complex and costly, and existing heat shields are prone to being dislodged by intense vibrations.

Innovation Solution

A flexible heat shield comprising a meshed thermal insulation inner jacket and a meshed wire outer jacket with braze wires that form attachment points upon heating and cooling, providing thermal insulation and structural integrity while accommodating non-linear geometries and withstanding vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a rigid heat shield is installed on a component with non-linear geometry, then thermal insulation is provided, but the installation becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible heat shield material that can be wrapped around components with non-linear geometry, eliminating the need for complex rigid structures. The flexible material naturally conforms to the component shape, simplifying installation while maintaining thermal insulation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If a flexible heat shield is used to accommodate non-linear geometry, then installation is simplified, but the heat shield may be dislodged by intense vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidresistance to dislodgement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heat shield includes pre-formed attachment points (such as tabs or protrusions) that are prepared in advance during manufacturing. These attachment points engage with corresponding features on the component before vibration occurs, preventing dislodgement during operation while maintaining installation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If the heat shield is made fully rigid to withstand vibrations, then positional stability is improved, but the ability to accommodate non-linear geometries is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional stabilityVSAvoidgeometric adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The heat shield is divided into multiple segments or sections, with rigid attachment points at strategic locations and flexible material between them. This segmentation allows the heat shield to maintain positional stability through rigid anchors while accommodating non-linear geometries through flexible segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 flexible heat shield effectively insulates and secures components with non-linear geometries, maintaining position and structural integrity under operational conditions, including high temperatures and vibrations, through a combination of thermal insulation and mechanical attachment points.

Implementation Method 1

heating the braze wires to melt it and form attachment points; and then cooling the attachment points until they solidify

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

a flexible inner jacket configured and disposed to be fitted around at least a portion of the component, the inner jacket comprising at least one layer of meshed thermal insulation material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS7481248B2Flexible heat shields and method

Publication Date: 2009.01.27 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP

AI summary

A heat shield comprises a flexible inner jacket configured and disposed to be fitted around at least a portion of a component, and a flexible outer jacket configured and disposed to be fitted around the inner jacket.