Floating Plate Air Modulator Sealing Without Binding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current air modulating systems in gas turbine engines experience nontrivial leakage when closed and suffer from system binding due to tight tolerances and deformation of components from vibrational or frictional forces.
Innovation Solution
The air modulating system employs a floating plate assembly with a linkage element and actuated mount, allowing the floating plate to move circumferentially to cover or uncover fluid passage inlets, while also translating axially to form a seal, thereby reducing leakage and binding issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tight tolerances are used in current air modulating systems, then sealing performance is improved, but system binding occurs due to deformation from vibrational or frictional forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the closure structure movable rather than fixed. The floating plate is positioned to float freely within the fluid passage inlet, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position in response to pressure differentials, thermal expansion, and mechanical vibrations. This dynamic positioning eliminates system binding while maintaining sealing performance, as the plate can self-correct its position without being constrained by tight tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by allowing the closure structure to change its position parameter in response to operating conditions. The floating plate can move axially and radially to accommodate thermal expansion, pressure variations, and vibrational forces. This parameter flexibility resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to maintain sealing effectiveness without requiring fixed tight tolerances that would cause binding.
2Reliability
If closure structures are used to seal fluid passage inlets, then air flow control is improved, but leakage occurs due to manufacturing tolerances and component deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The floating plate closure structure utilizes the dynamics principle by allowing continuous positional adjustment in response to pressure differentials. When the air modulating system closes the fluid passage, the floating plate is pushed against the wall by pressure differential, dynamically adapting to manufacturing tolerances and component deformation to eliminate leakage paths while maintaining reliable air flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service through the self-aligning and self-sealing characteristics of the floating plate. The plate automatically positions itself to seal the fluid passage inlet by floating against the wall under pressure differential, without requiring external adjustment mechanisms. This self-service capability compensates for manufacturing tolerances and deformation, eliminating leakage while maintaining flow control reliability.
3Extent of automation
If multiple fluid passageways are closed synchronously, then system coordination is improved, but complexity of actuation mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the closure function into individual floating plate units for each fluid passage. Each passage has its own independently floating plate that responds to local pressure differentials, eliminating the need for complex synchronized actuation mechanisms. The segmentation allows each unit to self-regulate while achieving coordinated closure across multiple passages through shared pressure field dynamics.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An air modulating system (70) for a gas turbine engine (20) includes a fixed plate (72) with a fluid passage inlet (74), a floating plate (76) with a first side (92) adjacent to the fluid passage inlet (74), an actuated mount (78) configured to move the floating plate (76) relative to the fixed plate (72), and a linkage element (80) for connecting the floating plate (76) to the actuated mount (78). The linkage element (80) includes a mounting flange (88) configured to slidably engage the floating plate (76).