Flexible Web Rotor Blades for Gas Turbine Fatigue Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine rotor systems face thermo-mechanical fatigue due to significant pressure and temperature differentials across component boundaries, leading to heavier-than-optimal components for high-pressure, high-temperature applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a rotor design featuring flexible webs with radiused joints connecting blades, allowing for relative movement and effective sealing to reduce thermo-mechanical fatigue, while utilizing different materials for the rotor disk and blades to address temperature requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rigid connections are used between blades, then structural strength is maintained, but thermo-mechanical fatigue increases and component weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing rigid blade connections with flexible connections that allow relative movement between blades. The flexible connection includes a first arm connected to a first blade, a second arm connected to a second blade, and a radiused joint connecting the arms. This dynamic structure enables the connection to flex and adapt to thermal expansion and contraction, reducing thermo-mechanical fatigue while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If heavier components are used to withstand high temperature and pressure, then reliability improves, but weight increases beyond optimal performance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the connection structure from rigid to flexible, allowing the system to adapt to varying thermal and mechanical conditions. The flexible connection with radiused joints enables controlled movement and deformation under high temperature and pressure, maintaining reliability without requiring heavier materials or thicker components.
3Ease of manufacture
If rigid blade connections are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but leakage between core gas and cooling airflow paths increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible connection structure with radiused joints enables the blades to move relative to each other, maintaining proper sealing between the core gas path and cooling airflow path. This dynamic sealing capability prevents leakage while the modular design of the flexible connection (first arm, second arm, radiused joint) keeps manufacturing complexity manageable.
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
This design reduces thermo-mechanical fatigue and leakage between core gas and cooling airflow paths, enhancing the rotor's ability to withstand high temperatures and pressures with lighter component weights.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of flexible webs, each of said plurality of flexible webs joining two of said plurality of blades
Implementation Method 2
effective sealing to reduce thermo-mechanical fatigue, while utilizing different materials for the rotor disk and blades to address temperature requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of blades which extend from a rotor disk, adjacent ones of the plurality of blades are joined by a flexible web.